Dear Vivien, I joined the list years ago and asked the question and was told it was too far for him to walk. I unsubbed after a while and have just re-joined. Compulsory registration did not start here in Australia until 1856 therefore his Marriage Certificate does not have his parents names on it. He sigend the Marriage certificate spellong his name Clark. whilst they lived in that area their snme was spelt Clark when the children were baptised After they moved to another area their name was spelt Clarke and is to this day. I have been doing this research for many years and have just decided to have yet another look ot see if I can find his actual date & place of birth. He was a Mariner on a Whaling ship and therefore his parents names were not recorded. I only have his death ceritificate with his parents names on it and the informant on that was one of his grandsons. I know it could be right but it could also be wrong. Seeing as I had no success with the details I have had for so many years I thought I would try again . Marie in Sydney