Hi,

I'm trying to trace a John Cain(e), a blacksmith, born c1824, probably in Baldwin.

He was married to Catherine Shimmin and lived at St Johns. Both he and Catherine died 18 April 1866 (murder/suicide).

I received some great help from this forum in the past. However, we were working on the assumption that John was born in German, which is what it says on the 1851 census. The 1861 census, however, says he was born in Braddan and I've since found a newspaper report on the murder/suicide that says his family came from Baldwin.

There's a John Cain baptised 21 Sept 1823 in Braddan, (possibly illegitimate) son of Thomas Cain and Eleanor Kelly. I think he is the most likely candidate. (If I have the right person) John's only surviving son, William (baptised 1863), was living with the Kellys of Renscault, E Baldwin in 1871, and in 1881 is recording living with his uncle and aunt, William and Margaret Kelly, at Tromode, Onchan - though I haven't been able to establish how they fit into all of this.

I'd be extremely grateful for any help anyone can offer as I keep drawing a blank. There seem to be so many Cains and Kellys around Baldwin and I don't really have a lot of information to go off.

Many thanks,

Natalie