Hi HBelle
Your initial enquiry was for assistance with a 1853 birth....and I don't think there was one however you would need the 1860 birth cert in Vic find how many births preceeded the 1860 birth.
I asked number of questions in my post......
Where did you source the information about a male birth in 1853 in Tasmania?Have you requested assistance with their arrival on the NZ Board?Have you this certificate
11259/1912
STILLING Thomas W 86 years at Manly
District Manly Do you have any certificates?
I can find no evidence of Thomas
STILLING in South Australia. The only
STILLING in the SA records is a Joseph Henry born c1823 and Michael b 1842. What leads you to believe Thomas was in South Australia?
Photo of Joseph STILLING who was a merchant and Shipping Agent in SA
http://images.slsa.sa.gov.au/mpcimg/11250/B11147.htmHis time in Hobart is still a bit hazy - his arrival and departure and the location of his drapery business in Hobart.
The linked advertisement in reply#3 states his business was opening on 17 May 1856 at 47, Wellington Bridge between Walch's and Dr Crooke's...and also in the advertisement...adjoining Cook's and Keen's Dispensary. The business was in his wife's name as had he been recently discharged as being insolvent.
I did find a Thomas
STILLING in Victoria before 1860 and it is possible that Thomas travelled back and forth from Melbourne to Hobart.
Arrival in Sydney from Nouméa
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ktr/I assume you found his 'various addresses' in the Sands Directories. You obviously have far more information about Thomas than you have posted here including you thought his father was Wm, a mariner. However I think we have answered your question about a 1853 birth and I suggest you purchase the 1860 Vic cert to further your research as it would detail the number of issue prior to Elizabeth Ellen's birth.
Cando