Nicholas Scanlan

[James Beau]

I am trying to trace Nicholas Scanlan, the 1871 census suggests he was born in Jersey, we think he was some kind of servant in the British Army. The census indicates he was born in 1805.
He subsequently married a Canadian woman called Jessie McKay.

[rutht22000]

Hi

The 1851 census gives him as a Chelsea Pensioner (Night Watchman).   

[Pels.]

Hi stagaln8,

Welcome to RootsChat ! 

I think in this instance it would be worth your while to have a look at the British Army Service Records, which are available on FindmyPast :

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/army-service-records/all

Kindest regards,

Pels.

[James Beau]

Thanks for your replies I do have " find my past " and have checked their records and the census. I guess I am trying to go back from Nicholas in to his ancestry. Would you know of "parish" type records available which might throw light on his predecessors

[dawnsh]

I've moved your post to our Channel Islands board where someone with more specialist parish knowledge should be able to help you.

Dawn

[James Beau]

Many thanks Dawn.

[la grande-méthe]

There are a few Scanlan baptisms in St Helier c1805, unfortunately none of them feature a Nicolas.

The various couples are
Thomas and Ellen Scanlan - Thomas 1805
John and Hannah Scanlan - Charles 1806, John 1807 - 1811, Robert 1809, William 1811
James and Sarah Scanlan - Jane 1808

[James Beau]

Hi again, one of my living relatives  recently visited Jersey archives to be advised that Nicholas was baptised in "garrison" at Elizabeth Castle on Nov/7/1804. Parents were John and Hannah Scanlan. From your info John and Hannah had four other children baptised between 1806 and 1811
Unfortunately my relative did not get any reference / document to which to refer. I am wondering if Thomas, John and James are siblings?  and if the wives Ellen, Hannah and Sara maiden names are on file in Jersey.
I presume the reference to "Garrison" confirms the military connection.

Any thoughts / comments?

Regards

[la grande-méthe]

I had another look at those Scanlan baptisms and unfortunately none of them give a mother's maiden name. Neither are there any Scanlan marriages in the St Helier registers, although I forgot to look in the garrison register - next time!

If Thomas, John and James had been siblings I would have expected their names to have appeared somewhere amongst the various godparents, this is not the case.

A baptism at Elizabeth Castle certainly does imply a military connection, although in the case of John and Hannah it would have been unusual for a regiment to be stationed here for 7 years, they usually came and went quite quickly.