Hi Listers, Earlier this week I was contacted, off list, by someone looking at the family of Thomas JENKINS, a tobacco pipe maker. I have now found a little further information about this family, which may be of use to others researching this name and occupation. 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