Hi Stephen,
I can only see two children registered to Alexander Halley and Margaret McKay: Margaret 1846, and Anne 1848 (Baptisms, Presbyterian, Geelong). Am I missing something? Margaret would have about 57 years old in 1882 (?)
There is some interesting information on the net about the Alexander Halley who arrived on the 'George Seymour' in 1845. Not sure how much of it is accurate...
(Source: 'Came to Port Phillip by 1849')
"Alexander Halley, 21 both was Stable man, trained as Shoemaker, married, crime - Robbery and Assault 7 years convicted 21 Nov 1842, at Edinburgh, received 16 Dec 1842, at Edinburgh, became an Exile and received a Royal Pardon 10 Oct 1844, arrived at Geelong 18 March 1845 on the Sir George Seymour, and employment was not specified.
Alexander Halley wed Margaret Mckay in 1845 at Church of England, baptised Margaret 1846 "
His first (??) wife?
(Source: 'EDMUND & ISABELLA THORP')
"Isabella Halley (nee Black)
Isabella was born in Falkirk Scotland, circa 1820. From her criminal records we know that she had sisters Mary and Elizabeth, and a brother James. Her mother was Elizabeth.
Isabella was described as a country servant.
She married Alexander Halley on September 3rd. 1841 in the town of Stirling, Parish of Falkirk
On the 21st. of November 1842, Halley had been found guilty of robbery and assault, and exiled for seven years. At this time Isabella and Alexander had one child.
Halley arrived at Corio Geelong aboard the “SIR GEORGE SEYMOUR” in March 1845.
Like Edmund Thorp he had been taught the trade of shoemaking whilst in gaol.
Tried at the Stirling Court of Susticiary on April 21st. 1845 for stealing £86 from cattle dealer John Robinson, an assault and stealing a pair of boots, Isabella was sentenced to seven years transportation, twelve months gaol and twenty days gaol respectively. Her convict record shows she had been twice previously convicted and had “bad connections.”
Isabella arrived in Van Dieman’s Land on June 5th. 1846. She had travelled on the “EMMA EUGENIA”, a thirteen year old ship built at Whitby Yorkshire, the port where James Cook worked as an apprentice shipwright.
Edmund and Isabella must have met soon after her arrival—probably at the expiration of her six months gang probation—as their first child was born circa 1848, another in August 1850 and another in 1852.
They married in Hobart on the 21st. of February 1853. Isabella had been given her Ticket of Leave in November 1849 and her Freedom Certificate in April 1852.
Isabella must have decided to bury her past and forget all about husband Alexander and their child..."
In the 'Argus', Thursday 26 July 1855 (Source: TROVE) there is an article in the Geelong column regarding the circuit court and a prisoner Alexander Halley, charged with larceny.
Also, if you Google 'The Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong & District History Site', click on 'All Databases', and search in 'NEW Geelong and District Database' for 'Halley', you'll find some entries for an Alexander and Margaret Halley et al, including book references.
Cheers, Anne