Hello to Listers from New Zealand, New to your list and are seeking assistance please. My greatgrandfather was JOSEPHUS MURPHY, from Belfast, Northern Ireland. In June, 1853, he immigrated to Melbourne, together with it seems two brothers, HENRY and RICHARD MURPHY( of the latter two nothing to date has been found ). Josephus went to the goldfields of the Beechworth region, where he apparently held a gold claim. In July, 1857, at Oven, he married a CATHERINE ARNOLD, from Bristol, England. Catherine was aged 22 at this time. Her parents were Luke and Sarah Arnold. They seemed to have moved around the general Beechworth area, the first child, John Malcolm, was born at Woolshed in 1857; second child, Harriet, born Buckland in 1859( died in infancy); third child, Rupert, born at Morses Creek in 1861; and the fourth child, Josephus, in Oven in 1863 (died in fancy). I have all marriage and birth information for this family. Josephus came to New Zealand, exact date unknown. In March,1865, the two surviving children came to Otago, New Zealand, aboard the ship "Hero", seemingly unaccompanied by a parent. Catherine was not with them. It is thought that Catherine may have died around 1863-1865, in the Beechworth region. Nothing has been found of her death despite numerous searches being made. both in Australia and New Zealand. Her death may never have been registered - a problem. - thus she may never be located. A CD for Beechworth has been searched without success. Records held at the Burke Museum in Beechworth are quite extensive. Does anyone on this list have access to this museum's, public records, who would be kind enough to do a look up for me? Of particular interest are mining claim register records, etc. I also know that the museum has microfiche for, "The Ovens & Murray Advertiser", 1855-1978, and "The Constitution & Ovens Mining Intelligence", microfiche covers 1856-57. Does anyone have access to these old newspapers? A CD for Beechworth has been searched without Any information, and/or assistance, with locating data on this family would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you. Regards, Marina in New Zealand