Hello, NSW BDM lists the death of Robert CARRUTHERS in Wee Waa on 25 April 1859. His death certificate says he was 26 and a stockman who had been in the colony for nine years. He was from Lancaster. The informant was John Antonio Peterson, Carpenter, Wee Waa. Peterson was also the undertaker. Does anyone have more information about? I've been looking for my g.g.grandfather, Robert Salkeld CARRUTHERS who apparently didn't die because he's not listed on BDM. The time of this Robert's death and his time in the colony are very similar to what we know or think about my Robert but his age is not right. It's possible that he was my Robert and the ages is listed wrong. Or he may well have shot through from Maitland where he was living. He left a wife and five kids in Maitland if he did. Clutching at straws so any information will be appreciated. Phillip Carruthers Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA

Hi Phillip Nothing on your Carruthers, but I have at least 2 mistakes in the BDM records. One was someone who was 23 when they died. BDM lists them as 28. Another is the birth of a daughter which is actualy listed as a male and is the father's name. I think in the transcription and data entry there is plenty of room for error. If your Robert shot through, he may also have gone to Queensland or Victoria. Also he may have lied about his age. The information on a death certificate is only as good as the informant and I don't suppose stockman necessarily told their life stories to all they met, so the informant may have known almost nothing about the stockman, who probably had no papers on him either. Good luck Jill