The missing years-Sherlock.

[chrissy]

Morning all
  I d like to ask for your advice please .
 My direct ancestor Samuel Sherlock B- 4 april 1778, later sailed to Australia in 1806 on the "Fortune",I am really trying to put together his possible activities in the time from 1778-1806.
  He was born in greasby,and one would think that having sailed to Australia With Blighs Fleet,he would have needed some experience on a ship.He was 25 when he came to oz,and that would possibly considered "old" in those hard days.
 Could he possibly have been on ships in the Wirral area before? As a apprentice? What would he possibly be doing?
  I just need to get some ideas on the way seafaring families worked
  Any ideas gladly accepted..........chrissy
 P.s WE have no details on that time period WHAT SO EVER,these were his young days ,so Im really curious