Thread: My brick wall is like the great wall of China

Hi everyone,
I have the most infuriating brick wall and one that is never likely to be solved. Do I stay content with what I have or can someone finally find my elusive ancestors origins and mother? This is what I do have:
Ann Dillon born about 1780 approx, original 1841 Scotland census states she came from Niagara and BS was written next to her entry, her age was given as 55yrs, her married name is Blades. The 1851 Scotland census has her as 70yrs old, she died not long after that census.

Ann Dillon married Charles Blades in the Anglican Cathedral in Quebec on 10 April 1796. The following is on the marriage entry: Charles Blades a private soldier of the 26 regiment to Ann Dillon of the Parish of Quebec with licence and consent of parents, the father being present.

One of the witnesses was James Sibbald and this is the exact wording: Jas Sibbald private soldier of Capt. Mitchell Comp. 26 Reg. [the father]. I also found a record of the baptism of an Elizabeth Sibbald in Quebec Anglican Cathedral, born 1796 and her father is James Sibbald soldier in the 26 Regiment and his wife Mary. The godmother is Ann Dillon.

Is there a kind and curious user here that can help me solve this riddle? I would appreciate any suggestions and help from more experienced searchers as I have given up hope of ever finding out who Ann Dillons mother and father were, Ann was a spinster when she married so I think Dillon is her birth name.

Hi Hazelnut,

I am wondering if Ann's mother was married before or even if Ann was born out of wedlock if her mother's surname was Dillon when she married James Sibbald. I had a membership to Ancestry.co.uk and they have a collection called The Drouin Collection, I was going to scour the Quebec Garrison Records held in this collection when my membership ran out. Unfortunately until I save the money for another subscription I can no longer search that data base. I hadn't found a marriage for Mary and James Sibbald at that time but I do know that when James Sibbald was pensioned out of the regiment in 1808 he was only 40 yrs old so tend to think that Ann was not his daughter. If I can find a marriage for James Sibbald to Mary then that may give me the clue I am looking for as it would state if she was a spinster or widow at the time of the marriage. James Sibbald was born in Sword,Dublin,Ireland.

Given his age in 1808 I don't think that is the right marriage. The 26 regiment was garrisoned in Quebec in the 1790's and they returned to Britain in 1800. I think Mary was married and probably widowed. Her first child with James was Elizabeth in 1796 so a possible marriage between her and James may have occurred between 1794-1796, I found a birth for a son Thomas Sibbald after Elizabeth's birth.There is also the possibility that Mary was married to another soldier who died prior to 1794 by the Surname of Dillon. The birth details for Elizabeth and Thomas say Mary is James' wife, that is not always the case though. It took me 3 yrs to find the marriage for Ann Dillon and Charles Blades and the birth of their first two sons in Quebec, so I am resigned to never finding out about Ann's parentage, sigh!

I am decended from Charles Blades and was wondering if anyone has more info on him?

Quebe Vital & Church Records ( Drouin Collection )

Quebec The 10th day of April one thousand sevenhindred and ninety six,

Chares BLADE private soldier of the 26th Regiment of Mjot DUKUS Co. Bachelor and Ann DALLON spinster of the parish of Quebes with license and consent of parents, the father being present.

In witness thereof the person that celebrated this marriage I have signed this wiht the parties concerned and witnesses.
Charles BLADE privet solder in the 26th Regiment, husband.
X this is the mark of Ann DALLON the bride

Jas SIBBALD private soldgier of Captain Mitchel Company 26 regiment ( father)

MAtthew HOPKINS Sergeant, Major Geo DICKES ( sic) Comp 26 Regiment
X This is the mark John PHELPS private soldier in the same regiment

Your reference to Niagra is likely to be Fort Niagra where the regiment were stationed