Hello All I am researching a THOMAS line in AUSTRALIA who originated in Glamorganshire South Wales. Details as follows THOMAS David, Mary and Mary Jane Thomas (aged 7 months) arrived in Van Diemans Land (Tasmania AUS) on the ship "Merlington" on October 20 1854. (from Newbridge Glamorganshire South Wales.) When they made their way across to the Victorian Goldfields is unknown, however another child Winefred (or Gwen) was born in Buninyong in 1857 quickly followed by three more children. Emanuel in 1860, William Henry in 1863 and Thomas in 1867. In 1867 David Thomas is listed as the owner of the Exchange Hotel in Clunes Victoria. It is not long after this time that David Thomas seems to have disappeared, as Mary is found to be living under the name of Meredith and had had three more children, Joseph born 1870, Ann born 1873 and Thomas born 1875 with the father listed as Daniel Meredith. When Mary Jane Thomas married in 1872 her father was listed as "being out of the colony" and D.Meredith was a witness at the wedding. Mary Thomas/Meredith died in November 1895 and was buried as Mary Thomas and is buried in her daughters Mary Jane CHAPMAN's family grave in the Clunes cemetery. On her death certificate her children are listed as follows; John 43 yrs, Mary Jane 41 yrs, Winnefred 39 yrs, Emmanuel dec., William Henry 31 yrs, Thomas dec., Joseph 24 yrs, Annie 22 yrs and Thomas 20 yrs. Her son William Henry was also the informant on the Death certificate. On the certificate we are surprised to find a son listed prior to Mary Jane born in Wales circa 1852, unfortunately with the name being so common, it has been hard to ascertain what become of him. Win or Winnefred may have married an Alexander Mc Alister in 1852 in Clunes. A son was born in 1889 in Clunes also named Alexander. A search of the Vic BDM's and the Clunes cemetery register has found no further trace of Gwen. Emmanuel also remains a mystery, born in 1860 the only mention found of him is on his mother's death certificate in 1895 where he is listed as deceased. A search of the Vic BDM's found no death record. William Henry born in 1863 seems to have stayed in the Clunes area as a miner all his life. He may have married a Elizabeth Payne in Clunes. A daughter Marjorie Gwen was born in 1904. He died in Clunes in 1925 and is buried in the Clunes Cemetery by himself. The youngest of the THOMAS children Thomas born in 1867 died in 1869 and is buried in the Chapman family grave in the Clunes Cemetery. David and Mary MEREDITH lived in North Clunes in a house on the corner of Albert street and Angus street until Mary died. This is much more information on their children if required. Joseph died in 1927, Ann died in 1947 and Thomas died in Western Australia in 1875. Thanks and regards Leonie Mutimer Searching here, searching there, searching MUTIMER everywhere. The MUTIMER One Name Study Please visit The Mutimer Family Homepage and sign our Guestbook at http://www.lzs.com.au/~lmutimer