Dear Linda, If only I knew the answers to those questions! I wouldn't put it past him to have changed his name, but unfortunately I don't know who his parents were. On the birth certificates for his children he gives his birth place as Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland. The Church of Ireland parish register is in the church Library in Dublin, and I had a researcher look for bdms of that name. None! Ironically, I had the same experience looking for his wife's birth. Her name was Mary Ann Sidell, born Lynn, Norfolk, but again, nothing in any of the parish registers for Lynn. Sshe is buried in the Eastern Cemetery in the very large Scott grave - and I can't find any connection with the Scott family. Her husband isn't in any of the Geelong district cemeteries. The two were married at St Paul's, Melbourne, in 1854 (according to the childrens' birth certificates) - but again, no record of in Vic BDMs nor in the St Paul's register - nor in any other St Pauls in the Geelong/Melb area! To add to the dismal story, the child born in 1865 (Alfred Currie O'Shannassy) is not in Vic BDM. His death certificate says he was born in Geelong, but I haven't found him in any parish registers. His death certificate gives his father as John Martin O'Shannassy - but whether that is so is in question. I have searched for connections between Currie and Sidell and O'Shannassy, but have found none. So, I am stumped! The only other thing I know is that there was a story in the family that he died "somewhere in the China Sea", and that he might have been a seaman - possibly before his arrival in Australia, or even after he shot through when his business failed. I have searched for the arrival in Aust for both he and his wife, again, unsuccessfully. I suppose everyone has someone like this pair in their families, but truly, I am driven to desperation by them! Cheers, Alwynne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda Edwards" <edwslsj@alphalink.com.au> To: <AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, January 02, 2004 9:08 AM Subject: Re: [GEELONG] Geelong Inquests 1860's > Alwynne, > sounds to me like he may have changed his name if he was on the run so to > speak from his debtors. What was his mothers name? or his wifes he may have > used that or just taken one he fancied. > Do you know his parents I could try a Vital records search on them > possibly.? where is the wife buried? he could be there also. > I assume you have the 1865 childs birth cert. It usually gives the fathers > occupation too and who was the informant. Of course 1859, he may have taken > off for the goldfields to redeem himself too. > good luck > Linda > > > > > > > ==== AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT Mailing List ==== > Geelong & District Cemeteries : > http://www.zades.com.au/geelong/gdcem.htm > > >