I guess there were connections to the Kidds who came from Ohio, in Mercer. John Kidd died 1841 in Mercer apparently, born in Ohio. Wife Jane died 1857 Mercer, born in Ireland. Adam Kidd son of John, was certainly a man with a lot of get up and go, here in Australia. His life here was very interesting and he contributed a great deal to the development of the area before he left for home and the US. What he didn't do was leave anything behind which told of his ancestry, he didn't marry, have children (well none I've found yet) however he did become a naturalized citizen but was vague - only said Poland Ohio in his application. He had to become naturalized in those days to purchase land, vote, or enter local politics as Adam did. His partner here was a Pioneer of Miami, a fascinating story there also. Both of them employed my great-grandfather from Massachusetts, here in Australia, when he first arrived in 1853. He stayed here until his death in 1916 but returned to the US more times than I can count. This 'connection' to my ggf has always made Adam Kidd a favourite of mine to research and now the opportunity has arisen. I don't know if I explained what I am doing with a fellow researcher - we are researching the lives of Americans who came to a part of Australia in the gold rush period. Most have not been recorded in history books and we intend to correct that. They contributed a great deal, they brought new ideas to this land, ideas which fitted in with our country more than the English ways in many cases, especially mining in this part of Australia. Australia is more like American than England in many many ways. Those that stayed helped build the place........when they arrived it was just gumtrees, kangaroos and koalas, and no settlements at all. Some returned home, others went on to other districts. But they all deserve to be recorded - it's our passion. regards Denise > Denise, > > Just went on to the site and I remembered it a little bit wrong, but > Thomas > KIDD with a family is there near the FRENCH family. It is not Frank > FRENCH, > but Marion FRENCH. He used the names alternately.