Dear Listers, This is my 1st. posting to the list which I hope will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship. My great Grandfather, John CANAVAN, occupation, "painter" ( house painter ) left Dublin arriving in Victoria, Australia, aboard the sailing ship, " Atalanta" on the 17th. of April, 1867. John`s parent`s names were, Michael CANAVAN, occupation, "painter" and Catherine MULVANY or MULVANNEY. I have a copy of a letter that was written to John from his father in Ireland, dated May 24th. 1868 in which Michael ( my great great grandfather ) makes mention of a Catherine and a Jemmy who may have been related to John and people who may have been members of the community in which the CANAVAN`s lived. There was a "young" DERONZY, Pat SLATTERY, Dan BYRNE, Tom O`FLYNN, Old NUGENT, Dick CLARK, John HOAD, Richard FORKINGTON. In the letter, there is also mention on a sister of John living in Victoria. Her name was Jane PIETERS, nee CANAVAN. In the letter Michael also makes mention that he will only be in Sibthorpe for a few days. I have learnt that Sibthorpe was a painter and decorators supplier in Dublin, so perhaps Michael came from an area somewhere outside of Dublin, but close by. If anyone on the list can relate to any of the above, I would love to hear from you. Regards, Norman A. in OZ. .