I am seeking any information on Francis Alfred Porter who (according to his death certificate information provided by his son, Francis Odo Porter in 1913) was born in Nova Scotia about 1840.

His parents are named as John ( a seaman) and Jane (original surname unknown). Given that Francis Alfred told his wife (who eventually divorced him) that he was born n 1844 in America, it is possible that John and Jane are made up names as in John and Jane Doe, but I live in hope that he told the truth to his son.

He came to Australia (also according to the death certificate) around 1860 although family folklore has him jumping ship rather than landing officially in New South Wales, where he lived until his death on the 2nd of January 1913.

Any likely leads would be appreciated.

It looks like Francis went back to Canada some time before 1903 as a newspaper reports him coming back to NSW from Canada.

He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Western Road Cemetery, Parramatta.