I am hoping someone on the list will have local historical knowledge of North Shields. I am looking for my 3 x great grandfather John Brown (yes, I know, one of the most common names in England) born North Shields (or perhaps anywhere in Tynemouth) on 19 April 1794. We know this date from his Merchant Navy Register Ticket in London, where he spent all his adult life. There are lots of Browns in North Shields but I can find no sign of john baptised at Christ Church, North Shields which I understand was the parish church for Tynemouth. However, there is a possible candidate at All Saints, Newcastle on 1 September 1794 (parents George and Mary). The question is: what is the likelihood that people in and around North Shields would have had their child baptised in Newcastle then. I do know that Christ Church was being renovated around this time and wonder if this might have anything to do with making such a journey. Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Nigel Brown