My fourth times Great Grandfather Charles James Halley, emigrated from the Black Country (loosley, born in Cheltenham, lived in Aston for a goodly while) to America in the 1870's He brought with him his family of four daughters and a son. He was listed on several census' both here and in England as a "Painter and Decorator".. As far as we know his father was also in this trade, sometimes they were listed as "Master Painters". Does any one know if there was a Guild of this sort of profession? And where I might find any records if one existed? His son also followed this profession. And apparently the gene for this is fairly strong as several others in the family have also been talented at this sort of thing at times getting their living from it! Including a few who spent their time here working for Louis Comfort Tiffany in the Queens NY fine art and glass factory. A few years ago I walked into an antique store in my tiny Upstate New York town and noticed a nicely hand painted plate. Upon turning it over I found my 3 times Great Grandmothers name on it! Amazing. They never lived- and no one else in the family has ever lived (that I know of!) --ANYWHERE near here! You just never know! And yes it is very interesting to hear where the people worked -factories or "works"-- but surely before there were such things most people had individual professions? What we might call "small business's " today? Would be interesting to hear of these people too! And let's not forget the women if we know what they might have done- if they had any time left over that is after the back breaking work of raising a family! Good idea for this months theme! judith in New York where the daffs have finally decided to bloom!