A recent BBC programme has suggested that: (1) If you put two siblings in a room alone with their mother, the younger child will seek attention by being disruptive and the older child will seek attention by being non-disruptive; (2) this behaviour is continued into adult life; (3) many of the great innovators of history have been younger children. [presumably, middle children are disruptive in one environment and non-disruptive in another, and throughly unpredictable when all siblings are present?] The traditional historical argument is that younger sons of well-to-do families emigrated or started businesses because the older ones inherited - but could it be more to do with personality? What about the youngest daughter? She should be rebellious, but was often the one who had to remain at home to look after the ageing parents. Personality turmoil? So, what evidence do you have from your Cumbrian researches? Onlist, not to me privately, please. Chris chris@dickinson.uk.net