Hello! Folks ...
I am looking for the parents of John Gelling. His gravestone in Nova Sciotia, Canada says: d. 29 July 1879 ae. 80 years. Westchester Township Book lists John Gallon (Gelling) of England or Isle of Man. Family lore says he was a British sailor prior to coming to Canada. A local publication casts him as a German sailor which leads me to believe he may have been from the Parish of German.
John settled in Nova Scotia, petitioned the government for and received land on which he farmed, raised a family, and became a respected member of his rural community. John is my maternal gggrandfather.
Thank you for any help.
Carl Demings
carl.demings@ns.sympatico.ca