Annette, It is probable that Thomas Alfred Akers was born either in Australia or in UK. If the latter, there was only one Thomas Alfred Akers born in England & Wales between 1837 [when civil records began] and 1862. He was born in Hertfordshire in 1859, the son of George Abraham Akers, "Farmer". He appears with his parents in 1861 and 1871 census, but there is no further sign of him in later censuses. There is no record of his marriage or death in England/Wales. Do you have copy of his marriage certificate in 1878? does this give name of his father? If this is "your" Thomas Alfred Akers, I have details of his ancestors, his siblings & their descendants. Best wishes, Adrian Akers.