Hi Josephine, I think you are probably correct that Michael BESHER is in fact BECHER as I don't think there were any BESHER in Bristol in that time period anyway. Like many other people I always try to bear in mind all the potential misspellings and mis-transcribings of my names of interest! I must contact Bristol Council to see if there is any chance of getting a copy of the BECHER journal. >From Jenny Stiles The son of pipe maker, Thomas JENKINS of Bristol, who was also called Thomas JENKINS, was apprenticed to tinplate worker, William COMBES, on 27th. October 1746. The apprenticeship was turned over and Thomas JENKINS was then apprenticed, on 10th. October 1750, to Michael BESHER, Esquire, to be educated as a mariner for the remainder of the term. The source of this information the Bristol Apprenticeship Books Volumes 1 (o) to 1 (z) Index & Transcripts 1724-2009 produced by Bristol & Avon Family History Society. www.bafhs.org.uk I think that Michael BESHER could have been Michael BECHER a member of the BECHER family whom B & S list member, Jenny Stiles, is researching. Josephine