I am writing from Australia and wondering if anyone can assist me. I have a Seamen's Protection Certificate dated 1st July 1848 for a John Murray, originally a citizen of England, who later came and stayed in Australia. It is signed by a Cornelius W. Lawrence, Collector in the District of New York. The elusive Mr. Murray then turns up in San Francisco and I have a Steerage Ticket dated 21st February, 1855 for $80.00 for travel to Port Phillip (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) signed by J.J. Southgate & Co. Agent. The vessel is shown as B????S????Mary, and after extensive research from this end cannot find an vessel with an similarities. He then marries in Castlemaine, Victoria a few years later stating he is from Middlesex, England, but research in that area has also proved fruitless. I would appreciate any leads or information on these certificates, or any advice that would point me in the right direction for unravelling this big brick wall. I have already tried the Ships and Maritime lists. At the moment here in Melbourne on television they are showing the series called The West, which is on San Francisco, the gold rush, and surrounding areas etc. It is very interesting and informative and I believe it is out in book form and video. Thanking you, Regards, Mary of Melbourne Researching, FOSTER, Coventry >Aust - PRITCHARD,Coventry>Aust GEOFFREY,Bloomsbury, Middlesex>Aust - ORCHARD, Warminster, Wiltshire>Aust STUART,Aberdeen, >Aust - EDWARDS,England>Aust GREATZ,NSW>Aust - PFITZNER, Prussia>Aust WILLIAMS,CUNNINGHAM, HUMPHREYS,MULVAHILL >Aust ,