Hi Marg Roseanne and other list members Don't forget to have a look a jenny willets web site "FREE SETTLER OR FELON" you can check for names in the index and if you are lucky and they are mentioned as being listed in the Maitland Mercury the early ones are digitised and on line as well. She gives other sources as well such as T/L and C/F publictaions - a really great site that has proved invaluable to my research. There are several Thomas Ryan's mentioned from 1832 to 1848 with details included. regards Faye