I returned home from our trip to the significant family history locations in News South Wales with much to process! I had packets and folders full of my notes, maps, photocopies, and brochures. Both my phone and my tablet were loaded with photos, and there was also valuable material on a USB stick. It took several months to sort, annotate and file it all.

During this time I asked Robyn Atherton, a professional Family & Local History Researcher to review the research conclusions I had reached regarding Thomas Henry Grant’s parents names, and the likelihood that Frederick Adolphus Grant, who had been born in Tasmania, was first named Frederick Adolphus Holt.

The report I received stated that “the only Charlotte Gorman (first or second name) was born 1873 in Armidale.” This confirmed my theory that there was an error on the death certificate for Thomas Henry Grant. His mother could not have been ‘Charlotte Gorman’, Thomas Henry was probably the brother of the Frederick Grant who had been in Cunnamulla with him. Their parents were married as Ellen Gorman and Frederick Grant. Frederick Grant (Snr) is well documented as using the name Frederick Adolphus Grant, and having stating he had been born in Tasmania. He also stated his mother was Mary Peters. The Robyn’s report confirmed that there is no Frederick Adolphus Grant in the birth records in New South Wales or Tasmania.

Affirming my belief that Frederick Adolphus Grant was my great-great grandfather, and his birth name was Frederick Adolphus Holt, I decided to submit an application for membership to the Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association. I documented my relationship to Mary Ann Peters, and hers to Thomas Peters and Mary Ann (Ann) Peters (nee Hews). The association Historian checked these details and at the end of the process I was granted membership.

I had never been to Tasmania. I had not thought I would ever be likely to travel there. However I now experienced an incredibly strong ‘pull’ to see the place where my 4th great grandparents had landed, and the towns where they and their children had lived.

After Christmas 2016, we once again planned an April trip. We would fly to Hobart, and then drive up the midland highway.