Hi All, especially Terry
As a follow up
...... so still searching for Charles Collier Cates birth. 
......
,
11 September 1879 at the Registry Office in Gore Street, Fitzroy, Charles Collier CATES married Margaret Mary RYAN. The ceremony was conducted by the Registrar for Marriages, Adam Anderson. Reference : 3735 of 1879 Victoria BDM online index.
A transcript of the details that the registrar recorded for that marriage are as follows:
Charles Collier CATES, a bachelor,
born Sydney NSW was aged 29, and he was living in Melbourne at the time of the marriage. He was a Mariner by occupation.
His parents were John CATES, a surgeon and Elizabeth Kain.
Margaret Mary RYAN, a spinster, born in Tipperary, Ireland was aged 25 and she was living in Carlton. She was a Teacher by occupation. Her parents were William RYAN, a Farmer and Mary O’Brien.
According to the information they had provided to the Registrar, neither the bride nor the groom had any children either living or dead from any former marriage.
That transcript of that marriage certificate would suggest that Charles Collier CATES was born circa 1850, which is not supported by the NSW BDM index. If he was born in England at some time before to his parents migration in 1839, then I gently suggest that perhaps he fibbed re his age, lowering it at least 10 years to somewhat nearer his bride’s age. Perhaps his occupation would have been offered as a reason for any "weathering" of his facial features to anyone questioning if he was actually around 40 plus years of age in 1879.
Cheers, JM
