Hi, Narelle The information about Olaf Bladin's later life was very interesting. It explains why his wife was conducting her own business as a dairywoman in Sale in 1884. >Could you tell me what the abbreviations [AVR], [CGN]... AVR - Australian Vital Records CD CGN - Cox's Gippsland Notes >I gather [GG] means government gazette? Gippsland Guardian, newspaper published at Port Albert 1855-1866. There are microfilm copies in libraries in Gippsland and Melbourne. >...go to the goldfields to make some money Stockyard Creek, an early name for Foster, did not become a major goldfield but must have aroused Olaf's interest in striking it rich on bigger fields. >Can you tell me how I would gain access to these records. It's possible most of them are accessibly through state and genealogical libraries in Perth. Otherwise a holiday in the areas of Gippsland where the family settled is your best plan. Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum offers a limited research service but it's mainly a do-it-yourself facility. Gwen ----------------------------------------- Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum Tarraville Road, Port Albert 3971, Victoria, Australia http://yarrampa.customer.netspace.net.au/pamm.html