Hello, fellow addicts. I'm tracking back from a man called Ted North who died in Bendigo, Victoria, in 1950. By good luck (or perhaps brilliant research), I have got to his grandparents, Thomas and Mary North, who were at the St Neots Workhouse on the day of the 1851 census. Tom was born in Buckden around 1815. Mary nee Darlar/Darler/Darlow was born in Odell, Beds., around 1825. They had two boys, William (6) and George (4), both born in Offord Darcy. (If anyone has any info about these people, or would like to ask about their subsequent line, I'd be glad to hear from you. ) Now, the interesting thing is that the Norths went off to Australia in April 1852 on the Lady McDonald - as unassisted migrants. It is unlikely that Tom could have found the 20-30 pounds for the fare in that short time, so I presume that the Poor Law Union or some other charity footed the bill. I'd appreciate information that might explain this, and especially any clues as to how I might get to records for Tom at the Workhouse and why he was there. Was there by any chance a "job lot" of St Neots people who were among the 420 passengers on that ship? Ray May your ancestors be kind to you. Ray Brindle Central Vic., Australia