Would like to let the list know that contact has been made with Lorraine Spencer a descendant of Dr. Arbuckle's brother (who went to Canada) and we have been exchanging some lovely information about Arbuckle/McDonald families. My connection is that I am descended from John McDonald of Armidale Station, Gippsland, whose brother Alexander married Flora Arbuckle (dau of the Doctor). Regarding his daughter, Flora, I understood that Dr Arbuckle's wife had died in childbirth or shortly after, and the baby was left with relatives to rear, while the doctor decided to go as ship's surgeon on the British King leaving in Dec. 1838 and arriving Sydney in Feb. 1839. It was not until his daughter was 18 that she came to Australia to live with her father. Quite an undertaking considering it was half way round the world and she had never known her father. She married Alexander McDonald but after he died in 1881, she married a Thomas Brown in 1883 who I believe was with the Salvation Army or at least a member of it. She lived to be 90 - I haven't got her death certificate but don't believe she had any children to either marriage. I have a transcription of the doctor's grave (his daughter is buried with him) and also his obituary from the Gippsland Times. If anyone would like to read it, I can send it as an attachment just let me know. It's too long to add to this message - the obit itself is over 1,000 words - they don't write them like that anymore! Best wishes, Sandra. -- Peter & Sandra Beckett PO Box 381 Hastings 3915 Victoria, Australia Home : 03 59791237 Mob : 0419 508585 Email: pbeckett@peninsula.starway.net.au