I am trying to find out information of my GG Grandmother, Sarah Ellen Doyle. Facts that can be verified are that she was sent out to Australia when she was 15 as an orphan with the Earl Grey Irish Orphan's Scheme. She landed in Sydney in 1850. Her life after that is fairly well documented.

However I am unable to find out anything before this time. The family story is that she was born in America (New Orleans), in 1835. Her parents were possibly Andrew Dolye and Margaret Holban, who died in 1848. There has also been a suggestion that Sarah's mother was of negro descent. Information on the passenger list of the ship, Tippoo Saib, on which she arrived in Australia, states that she was from Laois County, Ireland and her religion was Catholic. She couldn't write but was able to read.

Any informatiion or suggestions would be greatly appreciated by her many descendants who have been trying to solve this mystery for many years.