Hi,

My name is Peter Champ and I have been researching my family tree for over 30 years.   My interest in genealogy was first sparked by my great-great-grandfather William  Thomas Napier Champ - who came to Australia in 1828 and who held public offices in  Van Diemen's Land - including the post of Commandant of Port Arthur penal settlement  in 1844 (4 of his 8 children were born in Port Arhur).  In 1856 he became first  premier of Tasmania and in 1847 he succeeded John Price as Inspector General of Penal  Establishments (hence the "Champ Street" next to the old Pentridge gaol in Coburg,  Melbourne).

My interest has subsequently expanded to all other branches of my family tree.  Over  the years I have collected many photos of my ancestors (largely through networking  with extended family and borrowing photos to be copied) - and I am now in the process  of uploading them onto this site.  I have traced the branches of my family tree back  to England, Scotland and Ireland.  I am stuck on my Champ line as it appears that  William Champ's father, Thomas was illegitimate - and can only establish that he was  born around 1773 in Weybridge, Surrey - son of Elizabeth Champ.  I have unearthed a  few proverbial skeletons from the family history cupboard and nothing would please me  more than to crack this one.  I am the 3rd descendant of Thomas's over 4 generations  to attempt this - but so far to no avail.  If you can help, I would love to hear from  you!

I would like to thank the following people for allowing me to acess their trees and  photos (which will always be duly acknowledged):
 Distant relations of my family
 Susan Rieck (nee Reed) - http://reedaustralia.tribalpages.com Cherry Ryan (another Reed relation) - http://carvolths09.tribalpages.com

Please contact me if you have any comments to make, feedback to give or can connect  with my family tree in any way.

Cheers,

Peter