Then if this is John's family then John would probably be the illegitimate son of Catherine Smith. That would be a reason to send him off to sea at an early age. If Anthony Smith was a relative then it would be a solution to a family problem. He didn't say he was from Douglas but only Douglas was the principle city, which makes you think he didn't live there. My grandmothers name was Ella Martin Leach. I can't find any Martin's in the family. Ella's father was named John Smith Leach.

Thanks again, Jan