In a message dated 16/05/2004 04:15:35 GMT Daylight Time, akpak@waitrose.com writes: Old occupation websites and Pauline Saul's "Tracing your Ancestors - the A-Z Guide" define a hind as a farm labourer, though Chamber's Dictionary mentions that he would have lived in a tied cottage and been required to provide a female servant to work on the farm. However, the entry is a little unclear, and it's possible that this part refers to Scottish law and custom. Can anyone tell me, please, what hind would have meant in a Durham context? . You are correct in that a hind was a farm labourer. It is my understanding that the requirement to provide female labour as well as his own was Scottish practice, and probably also applicable in the northern part of Northumberland: I don't think that was necessary in southern Co Durham. . Geoff Nicholson . 57 Manor Park, Concord, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear NE37 2BU Ask for details of NBL/DUR family history research in depth by THE local expert, working for YOU.