Hi All, First of all, my apologies to anyone who gets multiple copies of this message on various lists, or who have already heard this story. I am at a total dead end and am grasping at straws, most of which seem to disintergrate as soon as I get hold of them <bg>. First I will tell you what we know from actual documents. Frederick BEATTIE enlisted in the Royal Marines on 26th June 1847 at Killybegs in Donegal, Ireland. We have full records of his marriage to Ann(e) Willey in 1861, births of various children, emigration to Australia in 1883 and death in 1884. (can't find where he's buried, but that's another story.) Now for what we don't know for sure. On Frederick's enlistment he gives his parents' names as Alexander BEATTIE and Margaret MILLER. He states that he was 19 years, making his DOB 1827 or 28. He also states that his place of birth was "Parish of Killaghtee in or near the town of Hollybrook in the County of Donegal". His occupation is given as Labourer. Well, extensive searches on the net, by mail and in person have failed to find any record of his birth or of his parents' births, deaths, marriage or of them ever having lived in that area. Mmmmm. There is also an adress for Alexander and Margaret of No 1 Albert Place, Brandon Street, Malworth, London. I am not sure what date this address relates to or the accuracy of it, though. So, what is the theory. Did he change his name? If so, I can only think that I might as well give up now. On the other hand, it has also been suggested that Alexander and Margaret may have moved from Scotland as many apparently did in the late 1700s early 1800s, and may then have moved to England, and so were not born, married or died in the area. Well, there it is. If you have any ideas where I can chase more ghosts, or if you have any information that might help, I would love to hear from you. TIA Regards, Jenny in (mostly) sunny Central Queensland