hi people, its very interesting to read about some of the things that people are trying to get information about in here. Wouldn't it be nice if there was just one "large database" that we could find and name or snippet of information that we wanted... but then if that were the case I suppose I'd be asleep at 1-00 in the morning instead of being here.. hmm That leads me to my last name.... well I THINK its my last name. You see it's of Chinese origin and apparently there MAY be some confusion as to whether they used to write their first name last or the other way around. Anyway, assuming that its around the right way for now.....this fella "Chin Lang Tip" came from overseas to Australia back in 1856 at the age of 19years. Its an interesting read what happened to him as best my dad could find out.... Couldn't of been too clever though - he had 17 children total to a young lady Marianne Prout and her sister Betsy Prout. (one wife and child is enough for any man) anyway the problem is (or should I say, problems are)..... was his surname Chin or Lang or Tip or Langtip... and then whichever it is...how do I find out where on earth he came from. My dad did a search of shipping records at Lavington Vic, shown were all names of crew, convicts etc, etc and down the bottom of the list "plus 14 Chinese". Now wasn't that thoughtful of them to do that! If they'd of known that a 146 years on someone might actually want to know.... thanks for listening to my ravings.......