I am descended from Frederick Wigney, born in about 1820, who married Eliza Reed from North Shields in 1851. He went to Australia prospecting for gold, and it appears he married again to Janet Mddlemiss in 1860. I do not know of any connection with the Wigneys from Brighton, although it is certainly an unusual name. I have not been able to find out anything about his birth or early life, except that he lists his occupation as a mariner on his marriage certificate and I think he came from North Shields. Can anyone shed any light on this for me?
Avril
