In a message dated 04/02/2005 02:43:35 GMT Standard Time, christineroderick@btinternet.com writes: Then can someone try to give me a reason why the eldest and youngest sons in the family shoud be packed off to Sheffield from Bridlington some time in the 1850s to be apprenticed as filecutters when the middle son stays at home? Is there some truth in the family rumour that these two were in trouble of some kind and were both shipped off? And how can I find out? Hi I am sure that there may be some trouble but that happens in many families. But the other son may not have been well enough to leave home. He may have been his parents golden child or a constant help to another sick relative. You do not say whether he had any employment but perhaps the other two sons were made redundant and found that by moving they got a better or another job. Are you sure they weren't chasing some girls who they later married or not, as the case may be. I do not think that you could look this problem up anywhere but I may be wrong. Best wishes JUDY ELKINGTON _www.elkingtonfamily.com_ (http://www.elklingtonfamily.com/) ELKINGTON-L@rootsweb.com