Thank you both very much. I'm going to have to eat humble pie for breakfast; after researching this family for 42 years I didn't think there were any more records in Australia left to check, but I was wrong!
I'd love to look at at the shipping manifest for the Asiatic. It's not the same as the passenger list is it? It's wonderful to have conclusive proof that Francis did actually come to Australia in 1855.
Thinking about A.J.Act, I'm wondering if this could be the NSW Assisted Immigrants Act of 1852? In copperplate handwriting, a capital I and a J can look very similar.
Thanks once again for re-energizing my search.
This news now means that my great grandfather (Francis John CANDY), my great great grandfather (Francis CANDY) and my great great great grandfather (William CANDY) all came to Australia in either 1854 or 1855. I know what became of Francis John and also William, but I am still in the dark about what happened to Francis after he arrived in Sydney in May 1855. I can't see any possible death for him in the NSW records or in New Zealand, but can anyone else help? The question is: Is there a death record for Francis CANDY, born in 1829, somewhere in Australia?
Any further help would be much appreciated.
Kind regards
Phil