Bryan Farrell was born 1806 in Roscommon, Ireland. He joined the 51st Regiment of Foot when he was 18. I have his attestation papers. Margaret Campbell was born 1819 in County Down. They married about 1836-1837 - there are 4 different dates in their papers. Thomas was the first born b 21 Nov 1837, baptised 24 Dec Chatham. Bryan was sent to Tasmania 11/10/1939 (so Thomas was just a little kid.) They were briefly in Sydney as the next child Augustus William was baptised there 1839. Bryan was stationed at Port Arthur and on the Tasman peninsular. Pay records etc are available in the Tasmanian Archives. In 1845, the Regiment was being sent to India and medically Bryan was deemed not fit. He was sent back to England after 5 years and 113 days in Tasmania. He was listed with the Chelsea pensioners and was discharged 15th August 1845. He was one of those who joined the Fencibles and they travelled to New Zealand on the Minerva arriving Auckland 8th October 1847. Family by this stage was Bryan, Margaret, Thomas, Agnes, Margaret and Henry. They were at Howick. My g.grandfather Edward William was born there 21 Aug 1857. I have Margaret and the younger children, Edward, Margaret, Annie, Henry, Charles and James - Agnes by this time married also travelled with her husband - travelling to Australia on the Breadalbane in 1859, so presumably Bryan had gone ahead. Bryan took up land at Dean in Victoria. Not sure when Thomas actually arrived, but he was present at his sister Margaret's wedding in 1861. Shipping records show him backwards and forwards as you might be aware. Certainly he had his ship 'Vision' in 1876. I have never been able to settle the question of whether Tom married here in Australia (or NZ for that matter). There are several possibilities based on name, some I have been able to exclude, but I would have to purchase certificates to be sure. Yes, Thomas did die 6 March 1888 and is buried at Rookwood. His death certificate is not much help. I would dearly like to see a photo of Thomas if any-one has one. I have photos of Edward and Charles, but that is all.
Nice to be in touch with someone else who is interested.