Hi Listers, In about 1913, 1924 and 1926, almost a whole family of siblings left Birtley in Co. Durham and headed for NSW, Australia. All the families have the name WITHERSPOON in common where either the husband was a WITHERSPOON or the wife's maiden name was WITHERSPOON. George Thomas WITHERSPOON and his wife Mary nee WEBB were the first to arrive in about 1913. George and Mary did return to England in the late 1910s, early 1920s but soon returned to NSW. Then, in about 1924 and again in about 1926, other members of this family made the trip. Thomas HOWITT and his wife Lily nee WITHERSPOON and family. James RICHARDSON and his wife Mary Elizabeth WITHERSPOON and family. Annabella WITHERSPOON , a widow and her family. and Frederick WITHERSPOON a widower. I am in contact with a couple of descendants form some of these families but would like to hear from others that may be on this list and looking into their families history. Bob Witherspoon. Durham. England.