Thank you for your message. I have documentary evidence that strongly suggests that my family (NZ branch) traces directly back to Hamburg Germany and seems to have no connection with Ireland. I am particularly interested in filling in gaps between Johann Christian Rudolph (born Hamburg 2/9/1767 ) who emigrated to England, and Wilhelm Eiffe who married in Sydney in 1857. I have never heard of Valentine and am sure he was not part of my family. I now live in Adelaide, and all surviving members of my family also live in Australia. Hope you can help. Cheers, Nyel.