Captain Samuel Dwinal Park was born Searsport, Maine, USA, on 3 Oct 1847 and died in a Shanghai hospital on 16 Mar 1914. He went to China ca 1869-1870 and entered the service of the Shanghai Steam Navigation Co as the 2nd officer of the S.S. *Manchu* and from that post rose to the post of ship-master. For over eight years he was master of the S.S. *Kwellee* between the Ch'ang [Yangtze] river ports of Ich'ang [Ichang] and Hank'ou [Hankow]. He then was master on the Hank'ou [Hankow] to Shanghai run where his last command was the S.S. *Kiangfoo*. He retired in 1900 and thereafter lived at 82 Tongshan Road, Shanghai. His obituary says he was survived by his wife and a daughter, identified only as "Mrs Bierwirth." Does any lister know anything about the identity of Capt Park's wife? Does any lister know anything about the Beirwirth family of Shanghai? I am told by Park descendants that Captain Park also had a half-Chinese son who achieved some status in Chineses society. This son reportedly visited his father's birthplace in Searsport, Maine. If this rings a chord with any lister, your comments will be valued. If any lister can give me some ideas as how to attempt to locate genealogical records pertaining to the European community in Shanghai, those comments are solicited. Thanks Bob Brooks, retired downeast on the coast of Maine, USA