Hi Ruth, I see no reference to Silk manufacturing in Newton Heath in the 1700's. The industry seems to be cotton weaving. I would assume it was the Cotton industry that he pursued not silk. He was a Weaver....... Mike Morris Toronto Canada >________________________________ > From: Ruth J <ruthgenda@btinternet.com> >To: eng-manchester@rootsweb.com >Sent: Thursday, August 1, 2013 3:56:45 AM > > I understand from what I've been able to find on the web that they were both relatively small townships - outlying >rural villages really - and that it may have been a silk-weaving area.  I >tried contacting Manchester RO yesterday but got trapped in a convoluted >telephone messaging system they have, so will try again today.  Any pointers >re literature gratefully received. <snip> > >