Hello -

John and Mary Young arrived in Nelson NZ at the end of 1842.

Until recently I had no information at all about them at all - the passenger list supplied by the Nelson Settlers database has their arrival on the 'New Zealand' from Cumbrae, Renfrewshire in Scotland. John is listed as aged 25 (1817) and a blacksmith whilst Mary was aged 24 (1818).

I have been banging my head against the proverbial since.
I have a promising young couple, aged 25, registered on the 1841 Census for Renfrewshire - Pailsey High Civil Parish and living at 39 Canal Street. Is this them....I wonder?
I am unable to locate any Scotish registrations for births or marriages.

I note that there is a James and Elizabeth (Shanks) Young in the 1841 Census who live in an adjacent street (Storie) who might be parents of John - perhaps..............

Having found John's date of birth I have ordered his NZ (digital) death certificate which should offer some useful information but I wonder if anyone reading this might like to have a go at tracing them, please, including Mary Douglas. On the same passenger list there was also a Donald and Mary Douglas and infant. Donald was aged 30 years and a blacksmith like John Young.

Thanks for reading this - I hope you can help.

Regards
James