Jane Bryan, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1866-67

[kent scoot]

Hi
My name is Ken, and this is my first foray into this forum. I hope I'm asking this question in the right place, and I'd appreciate any help at all with an interesting case.

My Great-great Grandfather Robert James McAllister (b1840, Newry, Northern Ireland) was a sargeant in the 2nd Battalion 4th Regiment of Foot (King's Own) stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia from April 1866 until June 1868.

Whilst there he married Jane Bryan, who then travelled back with him first to Dublin on troopship Himalaya in June 1868. Their children were born in various places around UK and Ireland, consistent with where the 2/4 KORR were stationed. He was discharged 1879 and remained a CS with the Northamptonshire regiment in Northampton where he died in 1899.

Jane Bryan is stated on the Nova Scotia marriage record as "of Halifax", parents Edward and Anne. Later UK Census records show her as born in London.

We have several possibilities for Jane, most likely born 1846 in Stepney, Middlesex to Edward Bryan and Sophia Ann. She is with them in Stepney in 1851, and in 1861 is (possibly) a servant to a family in Acton, Middlesex.

However, we have no record of how Jane Bryan came to be in Halifax NS in 1867. It is possible she travelled of her own accord or with parents, but we have found no passenger lists to date. It is also possible that she travelled with the 2nd Battalion on Tamar from Malta in 1866, but that seems less likely (I have yet to check Army records). Third is the possibility that she was already in Canada and not from London.

Any ideas as to where we might look for the missing pieces would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
... Ken



 

[michelle43]

I'll check to see what I can find. I see from the marriage record that they married 5 Aug 1867. As you've noted, Jane's parents are listed as Edward and Ann Bryan.

[michelle43]

Edward Bryan is listed as a piano forte tuner. That might help when you look at baptism records.

[amondg]

Jane Bryan  of Edward and Sophia Ann - he is listed as a Publican

[Cas (stallc)]

Welcome to Rootschat

Going by census POB for Jane, this looks a possible baptism to consider

Name   Jane Bryan
Baptism Age   0
Record Type   Baptism
Birth Date   18 Feb 1845
Baptism Date   23 Mar 1845
Baptism Place   St Giles in the Fields, England
Father   Edward Bryan - occ. Carman
Mother   Ann Bryan
Address - Monmouth Street

Cas

[kent scoot]

Edward Bryan is listed as a piano forte tuner. That might help when you look at baptism records.

Thank you. Yes I think the occupation (of Edward presumably) is key here.

[kent scoot]

Thanks for such quick replies.

[kent scoot]

Thank you Cas. That is one possibility I hadn't yet found.

[michelle43]

I see what you mean about the lack of records of their time in Halifax and how they arrived there. I had a look through the Nova Scotia records, and the parents definitely weren't married there and didn't die there.

Quite often, immigrants to Canada went to the US first and then crossed the border into Canada. I'm checking this possibility.