Katrina if he was drowned at sea, and no body was found, then it was unlikely that a death certificate would be issued in Australia, especially if this was an Australian registered ship. The newspapers usually recorded the deaths of the masters of regular trading ships in and out of Australian ports. If he was Sydney based, then they would be the best papers to start with. The papers usually also records shipwrecks, men overboard, unusual incidents etc. best wishes JennyFawcett ----- Original Message ----- From: "Katrina" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 2:18 PM Subject: [AUS-IMM-SHIPS] Finding ancestor "lost at sea" (NSW) 1852 > > Hello, > > I've found a reference to my ancestor Thomas Gibson, being lost at sea between Sydney > and Newcastle in Sept 1852. He was listed in various documents as a sea captain and > master mariner. The vessel was described as his schooner "Harrieff" which could be > "Harriett". I've searched Google with no luck, apart from the first reference, which > is at a site by someone who is from an American branch and hasn't yet replied to my > email. > > I can't find a death entry for Thomas and was wondering if there was anywhere else > such death records may be found. Thomas married Jane Eastcott in Sydney, 1842. Jane > remarried in 1854. I suppose newspapers of the day might be the only record of the > vessel being lost. > > I'm guessing he was a local mariner but don't know that. I don't know where Thomas > was born. > > Here's hoping someone has a clue... > > Best wishes, > Katrina > > > ============================== > New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429 > >