Hi Tim
The ship's records for Richard I got from the site ancestry.co.uk - they are a subscription site but they do a free 14 day trial with them too.
The problem that you are up against is that our civil records only began in 1864. Prior to that you are looking for church records and these are very far and few between. Most churches only have minimal burial or rememberance records.
We have been fairly lucky that the ones found for the Christian's in Laois appear to be good matches.
The thing is that we don't know where Richard Christian Senior and his wife originated. I think you said that your family stated that the story was that Mary Wall was from Wales - but going back to the late 1700's and early 1800's there are a shortage of records in Britain too. So looking for a marriage for Richard and Mary would be near on impossible.
Also, you stated that the family story was that Richard Junior was 'sent away' to see if Australia was suitable, and it would appear that it's possible that Richard Junior was also in America - so you are looking at 3 continents as possibilities for your Christian's living in after 1854 ish - ie Richard Senior could have stayed in Ireland - he could have gone to the US OR he could have also gone to Australia.
Sorry to sound negative, but it's going to take a LOT of work and good luck on your part to piece this all together. There's always the hope that someone with this family tree may see this and get in contact !!!
BTW - did the transcription of the baptism have any Godparents or an address on it ??
Tara
