John Bridges (b. 1812, Greenwich, Co. Kent, England; d. after 1871, Kingsport, Nova Scotia, Canada) was career British military. We have a letter written by one of his daughters: "Father was stationed in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and for nine years in Upper Canada before going to Newfoundland". His final posting was Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. All of these postings were before Canada became "Canada", so I am uncertain what to look for. He is listed in the 1871 Nova Scotia Census as "pensioner", living with his wife and two daughters. He had a son born in Newfoundland in 1853, the above daughter born in "Charlottetown Barracks" on 08 Sept 1855, and a daughter in Kingsport, N.S. on 19 Nov. 1862. His wife was Mary Nealey (b. 1816, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland), but even in this daughter's letter just refers to "Mother".
John Bridges had older siblings in England, one being Justine Elizabeth Bridges, who married but had no children.
Where might I look next for family records? We have visited the Provincial Archives in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and found an index cards that confirms the birth their of a daughter, Jane Bridges, but added no other information. Military records suggested that various contingents were kept on the move every month or so......I did not know they were so mobile back then.....keeping the various civilian groups in check.
We have much family history, but very little is from government records.
