My notes tell me that Mary (Davidson) PUNSHON, widow of Robert PUNSHON of Gateshead, DUR, England , emigrated to Australia in 1852 with several children and set up an XL Store in Footscray, Victoria, Australia. I have often wondered why a widow with four young children would decide to emigrate to Australia in 1852. It seems such a strange thing to do. However, Mary the widow, paid her own fare, and was very successful in her venture. Now I have found that her brother Joseph DAVIDSON also went to Australia at some stage and also ran a store in FOOTSCRAY. So far I haven't managed to find any information about Joseph other than a mention of him in the biography of his brother George - who ran a very successful glass factory in Gateshead on Tyne, England. QUOTE "George built the glassworks from scratch. The business flourished and was soon making small bottles and wine glasses. By 1878 production had increased to include such items as biscuit barrels, salt cellars, tumblers, dishes, plates, jugs, mustard pots and comports. George even did a barter trade with his brother Joseph in Australia, trading glassware for butter, wheat, flour, tallow, salt pork and bi-carbonate of soda. In 1881 George was also exporting salad oil and herrings!" I am curious as to whether anyone can tell me if there is any mention of Joseph DAVIDSON in the annals of Footscray. Heather Punshon Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada