More about the picture with Mrs Dowling that Blaine Riley was talking about in his email. The names on the picture are Philip, Mrs. Dowling, Edward and George. There are three bearded men and a woman in the picture. Something is written over the Studio name and it can't be made out. The name of the studio was The Royal --------- Studio, in the left hand bottom corner is written: Passamatta Road, and the right hand bottom corner has something like: Petersham or Petersman. My picture being a copy is probably not as clear as Blaine's but it is a very good picture. Tim Weekes from Austrailia had shared some documents with Dan Wells about the Dowling family and Dan in turn shared them with me. Tim Weekes sent a biography of the son of Edward and Jane (Ruttle) Dowling, Edward Dowling (1843-1912). It was from "Austrailian Dictionary of Biography, volume 8, 1891-1939, Cl-Gib / I am just going to type part of the biography: DOWLING, EDWARD (1843-1912), public servant and Federationist, was born on June 1843 in Sydney, son of Edward Dowling, painter, and his wife Jane, nee Ruttle. After elementary education in 1853 he entered the office of a Sydney merchant, transferring on 4 August 1856. He entered the Printing Office where he worked as office boy and compositor. From November 1872 he was reviser and from March 1882 accountant, compiling several statistical and descriptive publications. Dowling was an early advocate of education for working-men' in 161 he became honorary secretary of Syndney's first 'mutual improvement' group, which was associeated with the Pitt Street Congregational Church. A vice-president of the Sydney mechanics' School of Arts in 1869-83, he was mainly responsible for starting science classes there. In 1873 he moved for the establishment of working-men's college and was chairman of its committee until 1883. " etc. etc. there are two full pages of information about Edward Dowling. Jane had a sister Frances who was in Austrailia with her. One of the documents Tim Weekes sent was a letter dated 7 October 1895. The letter is from Edward Dowling to Daniel Ruckel. Tim says in the document that Edward and Daniel are half first cousins and that when the letters was written, Edward was 38 and Daniel was 60. It was post marked: Park Street NSW (in Sydney), Addressed to: Mr Daniel Ruckel, Humboldt Co., Iowa, United States Letter: "Warrano" Belmore St Burwood Sydney, New South Wales Austrailia, 17th. October 1895 My Dear Cousin, You will be sorrry to hear of the death of my beloved mother (Jane Ruckel) after an illness of a few weeks. After a residence of nearly 60 years in this Colony during which time she did a noble work she went to her long home, and is now with her Saviour. As she has lived with me nearly all my life I feel my loss very much, but hope to meet her again in Heaven where parting is no more. She was a brave soul and kept her intellect clear to the very last. During her illness she was attended by her relatives who all loved her very much, and did what they could for her. Her thoughts often flew to her girlhood years in Ireland, and to the dear nephews and nieces in America some of whom she remembered well as she often had nursed them in her arms. I enclose newspaper reports respecting her interment, from which you will see that she was followed to her last resting place for her body by many relatives and friends. Her younger sister Frances (Mrs.Newland) {Frances Ruckel} although a widow for many years is still alive but not very well at present. One of her grand children is named Ida Geneva (Ida Geneva Newland) after your daughter. I hope you will kindly pardon my not writing to you for such a long time but the fact is I have many engagements which prevent me form being a good correspondent, and this is my excuse. I shall, however, never forget the kindness of yourself, wife and daughters (Ida Geneva Ruckel and Katherine, Mary Ruckel and others) to Mr. Sultar and myself. Although Mr. Sultar is over 84 years of age he thoroughly enjoyed his trip across America and often speaks of our travels. I enclose you under separate cover a copy of a work written by me for the Chicago Exhibition in case you did not receive one at the from the Commissioners Office as desired by me. Mother (Jane Ruckel)and I often had talks about Uncle Christopher (Christopher E. Ruckel) and his wife (Catherine Ruckel) and children (Francis, Agnes, Catherine, Julius, George, Philip, Daniel - the addressee of this letter, Sarah, David, Christy, John, Henry and Christopher) after visiting the sites of the old homes at Loughburg and Newbridge, and also after my last trip to America. During the last three years there has been very bad times in Austrailia, as well as in other parts of the world, but things are begining to look a little brighter although we were threatened with a drought and millions of sheep and cattle died for want of grass and water. There are still large numbers of people in Austrailia out of employment, and great complaints are made of the badness of the times. I hope that the return of good times in the United States witll continue and that you will have good harvests and prosperity. Remember me kindly to your good wife and tell Miss Ida Geneva (Ida Geneva Ruckel) that I will never forget the drive across the prairies which was one of the most delighful I ever had. Mother (Jane Ruckel) wished that she was well enough to accompany on that trip to America, as she would very much have liked to meet her dear relatives in Ameica again. However I pray that we will all meet in Heaven at last through the atoning blood of Christ our Saviour. My eldest daughter is now Mrs. Paradise (nee Lily Dowling). My health is not very good. With kind regards, Yours truly Edward Dowling It amazes me how much Christopher and Catherine's family kept in touch with each other. I only have an extract of a letter. This family has dozens and dozens of letters preserved. I hope someone finds out information about the Ruckel on the postage stamp. And maybe someone has a copy of the picture that Blaine has of Mrs. Dowling and Edward, George and Philip and can tell him more about them. Best Wishes, Carole