New member introducing myself researching David R. Dykeman of upper Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia

+9 votes
221 views
I have hit a brick wall for over 13 years. There are documents that indicate David b: 21 June 1827 d: 29 Nov 1910, is Scottish, Presbyterian and from upper Musquodoboit.  My dna and my fathers dna link us to the family of James Dechman b: 1742 and d: 19 July 1830, but I cannot make the connection in my tree.  My theory is James’ grandson Richard Dechman b: 1827, who disappeared from any records after 2 years old, may be David R. Dykeman with a name change, but I cannot support this with facts.  Any help will be appreciated!  Thank you!
WikiTree profile: Dee Lemire
in Genealogy Help by Dee Lemire G2G Crew (430 points)
retagged by Maggie N.

3 Answers

+8 votes
 
Best answer

Hi Dee,

Welcome to Dee to WikiTree! 

I am Dave Draper and I am delighted to see you join our community. It looks like you are off to a great start with almost 300 contributions. That being said, when I joined about 2 years ago, I profiled about 600 of my family members before the brick walls came down and my branch connected to the WikiTree.  Then I discovered so many cousins already working on all the other branches of my family.  They didn't know me and I didn't know them!  

There is a quite a learning curve so here is a link that might help you with the learning curve.   

WikiTree How To Here is How To Do IT

Please feel free to ask anyone about anything on this G2G forum!

by David Draper G2G Astronaut (5.0m points)
selected by Susan Laursen
+6 votes
Welcome back, Dee!

You may want to check out the project list, sounds like the Scotland project might be a good start. Projects usually have lists of regional resources that may help you with your research. You can also consult and collaborate with other members. The Scotland project has a self-directed course called the Tartan trail that you might consider. The project list can be found under the Find drop down menu.

You can edit this post and add location tags. This will get the attention of members with experience in those areas.

Good luck with your research!
by Peggy Watkins G2G6 Pilot (957k points)
+5 votes
Hi Dee

This is about the era in Nova Scotia research that starts to be quite tricky, doesn't it? I find your best bet is to slog through county probate and land records (deeds and crown petitions) to hope to find some nuggets that might illuminate some relationships.

I did a quick search and found the probate of the will of a Richard Dechman, farmer of Musquodoboit, who died June 1836 (based on the implied ages of his children, he probably died youngish). He helpfully named a number of family members in his will (please double check this list, I jotted this down quickly):

Wife Agnes

Eldest son James Dechman

second son William Cook Dechman

third son John Dechman

fourth son George Dechman

fifth son Wallace Dechman

sixth son Richard Dechman

daughters Leah?

Carmmel?

Grizell?

Jane

Susan

young unnamed infant girl

John Grant Dechman executor (Matthew Archibald declined?)

The estate papers including his will can be found here, images 501 to 515:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRS-SNQV

I didn't have time to check to see if this fits well at all with your relatives, but thought it might give you a starting point.
by Matthew Sullivan G2G6 Pilot (183k points)

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