Thank you to all those who responded to my query. I am overwhelmed by the responses I have received. I will today go through every email looking for clues of connection. Sadly the Dennis in the 1900 census was not 'my' Dennis but it is often just as useful to be able to discount a record as it is to find a record. I will respond to each of you in time with grateful thanks. Thank you also for those who hoped I was not too close to the bushfires. I am one of the lucky ones. I live about 100kms from the worst of the fires so all I had to contend with was the 46oC heat and the days of smoke haze that has now lifted in my area. Ray from the Kerry Mailing List compared the population of the US with the population of Australia and in US terms the confirmed death toll at present (181) is equivalent to 2400. That could double yet as in one town, population 600, 35 bodies have been recovered - but that was just from in cars or outside on the street. Once under the rooves of houses have been searched this toll is expected to possibly treble. With thanks Jenny