Good evening list, My name is Sue Cotton and I am helping my friend David Tilleyshort who is a descendant of Charles SHORT born 1849 in Westgrinstead. Charles came to New Zealand in April 1874 - on the passenger ship Atrato list as Charles TILLEY age 24 a 'platelayer' from Sussex He changed his name throughout his lifetime for some reason: 1849 Born Charles SHORT 1851 census Charles SHORT 1861 census Charles SHORT 1870 Charles SHORT Married Frances Mary BALTON 1874 Arrived New Zealand as Charles TILLEY 1874 Charles Tilley SHORT (bachelor) Marries Fanny SHEPPARD 1875 First child is born named Charles Francis SHORT All other children were named TILLEYSHORT 1920 he died as Charles TILLEYSHORT in Dunedin NZ We need to know: 1) What happened to his 1st wife Frances Mary BALTON & the two step-children 2) Why did he say bachelor when he married 2nd wife Fanny SHEPPARD 3) His mothers maiden name was TULLEY did he use this name to 'lose' his real identity? I have searched the UK census's trying to track Frances & her children - I cannot locate any deaths in the UK that fit the ages - it doesn't appear that he had any children with her before he left the UK - nor can I find them on any ships lists.......... Is anyone researching BALTON SHORT or TULLEY that may have a link with the above family. TIA Sue (ex Blackburn UK now Auckland NZ)