Though I was in luck tonight. Firstly I a very wary of getting exited over documents without concrete evidence, these are at least 3 John Booths in Melbourne around 1883, one shearer and one an inmate of an insane asylum. And yes I have had all 3 mixed up at some stage. Found a index to a hospital record in Devonport, Tasmania that lists a John F Booth as being admitted in 1884. DOB on the record is 1843. I have no other information available on this record and I have discounted it at various times as being to young. I have a record of a Scottish John Booth on board the RN 'Firebrand' in 1861 (born Aberdeen abt 1843). he is listed as a 'Boy First Class'. This ship was located in Carthagina Near Granada South America. This makes him 18 at the time. A quick scan of the National Archives in the UK turns up this information: Description Name Booth, John Place of Birth: Aberdeen, Scotland Continuous Service Number: 21074A Date of Volunteering: 09 May 1860 I have downloaded it tonight and find that it seems to only be the admission papers for a 10 year volunteer service, nothing else. So I have a person listed a 'Boy First Class' in 1861 and another purchasing a ship in Melbourne in 1864 at the age of 22?- too much of a leap?