David thank you so much. I am so grateful you have made this suggestion- it would certainly fit. he had 3 brothers who were in the process of going to the US; he needed to emigrate as well, so what better way? it may be that the ship ( the Crescent City landed 1854) was eventually going to the US where he could meet them but he found the journey too difficult to continue?? will need to look at the movements of the ship after sydney somehow.
Could you possibly give me some idea of the punishment he would have received if he was caught jumping ship? would there be a refernce or a book with that info included eg maritime law
the Trove record is absolute gold
I was only looking up Louisa's marriage last night, but the invitation to the wedding of the daughter of the late " James Radcliffe Parker" is an absolute slam dunk. I will need to chase other similar entries in that name on other records but my first impression is that Luoisa only felt "safe" in using that name becauset James had actually passed away...
your message is incredible and opens up a more free exploration of the radcliffe link including the lives of his brothers in the US, one of whom served for 3 years in the Ohio cavalry in the Union Army.
best wishes and thanks again David