Thanks to Douglas Wade, Donna Douglass, Sue and Frances for all the information about the 3 Peter Murrays, and I agree with you that the middle Peter (m Jane Kennish) may have left the island after Peter (youngest) was born in 1805 and had children elsewhere, including my gt x 3 grandfather Henry, before returning.

My branch of the Murray family is said to come from Scotland. All I know of Henry's back ground is that his father was "Peter Murray, a cooper" (marriage cert) and Henry was born in Liverpool (all censuses). Despite ransacking trade books, parish registers, many other records in Liverpool and surrounding areas, I've been unable to trace Peter, or Henry's baptism.

Henry did have at least 2 brothers, John and William, who both died in Australia and on their various immigration and registration docs both state that "Peter Murray, a cooper" was their father. John born "Liverpool", William born "Lancashire." We also know that John, at least, did not know his age and the year was estimated between abt 1816 and 1820 - the year of baptism for P.Murray and J. Kennish's son John. John claimed to have been born in Liverpool, but who ever remembers where they were baptised? Born Liverpool on 12th July (he knew the day, but not the year) baptised later that year in IOM?

I don't know Henry's mother's name, but the brothers were born many years apart, Henry abt 1808, John abt 1816-20, William in 1834 (the same year that Jane Kennish died). John and William claimed their mother's name was Bridget Dobbin. I see the IOM Peter married for the second time to Judith Fargher, only 3 months after Jane Kennish died.

Well the plot isn't getting any thinner, and I really appreciate all the help you've given. the next step is getting the wills of Peter and Jane to see if they had a son called Henry - watch this space!

Best wishes, listers,

Sue