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Actually, it's more complex than that. The family would be in Halifax 1844 (pre-famine), go to Beauharnois to be there in Jan 1852:


http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1851_pdf/e092/e002297214.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1851_pdf/e092/e002297215.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1851_pdf/e092/e002297216.pdf [page d is blank - h/h continues on next page a on the image]
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1851_pdf/e092/e002297217.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1851_pdf/e092/e002297218.pdf

However, the 3 wee Dunphy girls do just seem to be parked there, with no other Dunphy in the h/h. Well, I can see that - if they're orphaned, they'ld go to whatever family would look after them - although 1000km away does seem a bit far. But then, I don't see why Cath would go back to Halifax (to meet hubby, and have Albert).

St Malachy is, I think, St-Malachie d'Ormstown, so this is 60 km overland to Montreal, or 20km to the St Lawrence at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, then a 60km boat trip to Montreal. From Montreal, it's abt 1000km by sea to Halifax.
Incidentally, the 1852 census says the 3 girls' pob=Canada, but we want their pob=NS.
(Until the Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867, Nova Scotia and the United Province of Canada (=ON+QC) were seperate colonies, and I don't see a resident of either being confused about that.)

For NS BMDs, see http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/ especially https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/
(I don't see anything).

The other place they might be is in the regimental BMD records with the GRO. (You need someone with FMP to check the index.)

Thanks mgnv - so helpful! Like you, I'm not sure whether they'd be in Beauharnois if born in Halifax NS - I'm assuming travel was difficult in those times. But working on the assumption that they maybe came over from Ireland (dates seem to tie in with the potato famine), maybe it didn't seem as far as they'd already travelled? I wonder if they'd have been following the promise of work..

Since you know about Canada, would you know how I could get hold of a wedding certificate from 1864? I'm thinking it would be in Nova Scotia.

Thanks again for all the help!

Margee - I did say JUST ABOUT OPPOSITE Cornwall. I know Lancaster (24km to E) would be more accurate, but who could find that on a map!!

Michelle - try http://maps.google.com/
There's a list of towns in Beauharnois Co at
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1851/001005-200.04-e.html#a

Thanks mgnv - really grateful as I don't have access to the Canadian census, it's all a bit new to me! Will take a look. Also don't know Canadian geography (my bad!) so will need to get hold of a decent map! Thanks too Margee for the update!

Oh, mgnv, you're always correcting me so I'm going to reverse it.

Beauharnois opposite Cornwall? I live in Cornwall. Opposite to us, across the mighty St. Lawrence is Massena, New York. Beauharnois is to the east, closer to Montreal.

Of the Quebec counties, Beauharnois is the most upstream on the St Lawrence (just abt opposite Cornwall Ont and 100km from Montreal).
I just don't see what someone born in Halifax (see 1881) would be doing there at that time.

I think she'll be on the 1851 & 1861 NS census for Halifax - unfortunately these only name the head of household.
She'ld be there just as a count as a female under 10y, or 15-20.

Here are the Halifax Dunphy h/h's in 1861
Richard http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00115.pdf
John http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00232.pdf
Margaret http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00308.pdf
Charles http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108866_00213.pdf

You'll need to check the subsequent pages - e.g., for Richard you'll want:
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00115.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00116.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00117.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00118.pdf
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/pdf/4108859_00119.pdf

If you want to search 1871 to see who's gone:
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/census-1871/001101-100.01-e.php

Thanks so much to you both - very interesting! So grateful for you help, I really appreciate it!

Following on from MarieCeleste's 1851 Canada census, there is this Pat Dunphy at the bottom of the next page of the census, age slightly out, and claims single, for consideration:
1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia about Pat Dunphy
Name: Pat Dunphy
Gender: Male Age: 45 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1807
Birthplace: Ireland
Province: Canada East (Quebec) District: Beauharnois County
District Number: 1 Sub-District: St Malachy Sub-District Number: 16
Pat Dunphy 45
Source Citation: Year: 1851; Census Place: St Malachy, Beauharnois County, Canada East (Quebec); Schedule: A; Roll: C_1113; Page: 43; Line: 50.

If it helps, here is some further info on John's military postings:

From 1858 to 1862 he was various places in England and Ireland, then
08/01/1862 - Halifax, NS
10/06/1866 - Montreal
14/07/1866 - Toronto
28/05/1868 - Dublin
From 1868 to demob he was various places in England, Ireland and Wales.

Thanks for all this!!

Patchem - you're spot on, it's John Gold(s)worth Smith (how could I have forgotten to put his surname on!!) and I can confirm that the info you found is right.

Sadly I don't have their wedding certificate but do have the birth certificate for their son Goldsworth Albert in 1865, Halifax Nova Scotia so have always assumed the wedding took place in Nova Scotia. I am particularly interested in anything from Canada about Catherine as all I know is her DOB and POB from the son's certificate.

MarieCeleste - thanks for the stuff from the Canada Census - I'll take a look into that as they may well give me more clues. The surname Dunphy is, as far as I know, Irish so one of your leads in particular looks exciting.

She called her daughter Mary Kentville, which is unusual but I've heard it's a place in Nova Scotia so I've been wondering whether she has any ties there.

Thanks again for your help - I really appreciate it!!

Possible:

British Army Service Records 1760-1915

First name(s): John
Last name: SMITH
Calculated year of birth: 1840
Parish of birth: St Paul
Town of birth: Norwich
County of birth: Norfolk
Age at attestation: 18 years
Attestation date: 6 October 1858
Attestation corps:
Attestation soldier number:
Discharge rank: Serjt
Discharge corps: 2nd 17th Reg Of Foot
Discharge soldier number: 605

The National Archives reference: WO97 / 2106 / 115

In parts of the records he's referred to as John G Smith. On discharge 1882 he was going to be a shoemaker in Leicester.
Amongst other places, he was in Canada from 1862 to 1866.

No mention of spouse or family.

Still Smith:
John G Smith
Age: 21 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1840
Gender: Male Where born: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Civil parish: Cheriton County/Island: Kent Country: England
Registration district: Elham Sub-registration district: Folkestone
ED, institution, or vessel: Second Battalion 17th Regiment of Foot, Camp Shorncliffe
Household schedule number: 1 Piece: 552 Folio: 120 Page Number: 2

Michelle,
Is his surname Smith or Goldworth?
Thanks

??
1871 England Census
Name: Mary K Smith
Age: 3
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868
Relation: Daughter
Gender: Female
Where born: Canada
Civil parish: Aldershot
County/Island: Hampshire
Country: England
Registration district: Farnham
Sub-registration district: Frimley
ED, institution, or vessel: 2nd Battalion 17th Regiment and Depot 1st Battalion 17th Regiment
Household schedule number: 1
Piece: 818
Folio: 25
Page Number: 3

John G Smith 31
Goldworttle Smith 6 son Nova Scotia
Mary K Smith 3
George A Smith 1 Jersey

1891 England Census
John G Smith Age: 51 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1840
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Catharine Smith
Gender: Male
Where born: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Civil parish: St Michael at Coslany
Ecclesiastical parish: St Michael at Coslany
County/Island: Norfolk
Country: England
Occupation: manager shoe factory
Registration district: Norwich
Sub-registration district: Coslany
ED, institution, or vessel: 7 Piece: 1518 Folio: 122 Page Number: 17
John G Smith 51
Catharine Smith 48 Nova Scotia
Mary K Smith 23 Canada
Frances S Smith 18 Plymouth
Source Citation: Class: RG12; Piece: 1518; Folio: 122; Page: 17; GSU roll: 6096628.

1861 Census of Canada
Name: Cathrin Dunphy
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Birth Year: 1843
Birthplace: Lower Canada
Marital Status: Single
Home in 1861: Châteauguay, Canada East
Religion: Roman Catholic

Household Members:
Name Age
Cathrin Dunphy

She's with Patrick Dunphy 60 b Ireland, Bridget ?? 60 b Ireland and May age 16.

(I've no idea if these census are the right person).

??
1881 England Census
Catherine Smith
Age: 37 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1844
Relation: Wife
Spouse's Name: John Goldworth Smith
Gender: Female
Where born: Halifax Nova Sctia
Civil parish: Worcester St Peter County/Island: Worcestershire
Country: England
Street Address: Cherry Orchard
Condition as to marriage: Married
Registration district: Worcester Sub-registration district: South Worcester
ED, institution, or vessel: 10 Piece: 2918 Folio: 8 Page Number: 9
John Goldworth Smith 41 Staff Sergeant Norwich St Pauls
Catherine Smith 37
Mary Kentville Smith 13 Toronto
George Arthur Smith 11 Jersey
Frances Sarah Smith 7 Plymouth
Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 2918; Folio: 8; Page: 9; GSU roll: 1341699.

1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia
Name: Cathrin Dunphy
Gender: Female
Age: 7
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Canada
Province: Canada East (Quebec)
District: Beauharnois County
District Number: 1
Sub-District: St Malachy
Sub-District Number: 16
Household Members:

Name Age
Cathrin Dunphy 7
She's with Mary 4, Eliza 2 (ages are next birthday).

There doesn't appear to be any adults in the household?

Have you got her marriage certificate for further information?

Hello Michelle, what sort of information are you looking for, and what do you already have?

We don't want to duplicate your own research. :-)

Did she marry in Canada?

Can you tell us any more about John Goldsworth (where & when born, etc)? Sometimes things like his army records might give us info about spouse & children.