Dear Patrick, Although this wont help you in your search it may make you feel like you are not alone, my grandfather was also a "Sailor" he also was born in Dublin, he also is my brick wall, (still) he also lists his home town as Dublin, on shipping papers, but when he walked Priscilla down the aisle as his wife he had stated he was born in Old Castle Ireland, and if you look at that and realise, that there are 7 Old Castle townlands in Ireland, let alone all the draughty old castles that spring to mind, it has been a long winding path of twists and turns, with no reult in the end. But did your grandfather Patrick Flanagan work as a Sailor in Australia? what or where was his home port for shipping from? Because shipping papers are held in South Australia, for seaman, but seeing as your family is Sydney I cannot say for sure that the papers that would or may add to your search are held in South Australia and my other bad side is out at the moment so cannot ask him, as he is maritime man, but I will. I note you have a POLLY which i guess you know can be Margaret, the Irish like to give us these twists and turns to keep us dancing in the dark. These are just some thoughts for you Patrick as I have travelled the same road for many a year hunting a "Sailor " man named Thomas O'Donoghue or variant Feel free to contact me off the list if you wish to ask me more Cheers Cara I use BullGuard Spamfilter to keep my inbox clean. It is completely free: www.bullguard.com/freespamfilter