I am looking for any information regarding Michel Courville/de Courville who was born approx 1821, possibly in Paris, France, but also possibly in Canada. All we know is that he worked as a blacksmith for a boat building company in Trois Rivieres before coming to New Zealand on a whaling ship anytime between 1839 and 1849. In New Zealand his name was anglicised to Michael Kirby. Not much to go on, but maybe someone out there has a clue.
Thankyou in anticipation
Carol Walsh
Christchurch, New Zealand