A cordwainer is a shoemaker. This is distinguished from the cobbler, who is a more humble repairer of shoes. My ancestor, William RICE (1780-1853; migrated to Tasmania 1821) was described as a cordwainer or shoemaker throughout his life, but shoemaker was more predominant toward the end of his l;ife. I've read that it was illegal for cobblers to use new leather to effect repairs: they had to recycle old leather. There is a Cordwainers' Society in Barnsley, Yorkshire, that is nearly 300 years old. Peter THOMAS Darwin, AUSTRALIA <pmthomas@bigpond.com> -----Original Message----- From: kfarrow [mailto:kcfarrow@bigpond.net.au] Sent: Sunday, 6 November 2005 7:13 PM To: AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: OCCUPATIONS Dear Listers, Does anyone clever know what a cordwainer did? I have a bloke who one census is a shoemaker, the next a cordwainer! Would love some wisdom Kind Regards Chris ______________________________