Hi everyone My g/grandfather THOMAS BOOTY came to Australia (Sydney I think) sometime before his marriage in 1885 in Sydney. I think he was born approx. 1860, Montreal (America) as it states on one of his children's birth certificates. There is also a THOMAS BOOTY in the 1881 census, Norfolk England. A sailor, and something to do with a vessel "RISING SUN" I cannot find out at all how, when or what ship he was on when he came to Australia. His occupation was "fireman" which I have been told is the same as "stoker", which I presume has something to do with the running of a ship. I know he was also involved with ships and these sea, as on his marriage cert. it states his "usual place of residence" as "OF THE SEA". I have been told by my mother (his g/daughter) that he possible died on a french Canadian ship, but whether this is the case, I don't know. Cannot find any record of his death either. This is driving me batty. Is there anyone out there who thinks they may be able to help me or point me in the right direction? Thank you in advance Wendy t

My grandfather was also a fireman/stoker and this makes me think that a good at making steam and disappearing in it ........first of all he left Ireland like yours HOW? is my question her worked on ships as a fireman stoker and then he married my grandmother Priscilla Trengrove Kneebone.........he was Thomas Odonoghue from Old Castle but still he remains a mystery have him down to a certain day and year and almost the time nothing after that ..........trouble is with those who go to see they had the ability to dissapear wherever whenever and we are all like you left wondering .........my dillemmma is did he come through the states to Australia to Tasmania and then onto the coastal ships or did he just appear in a puff of steam........my sympathy's lay with you Wendy I know what it feels like to never know where to look for the mysterious man from the sea Cara_Links