In a message dated 14/08/2009 04:17:09 GMT Daylight Time, caroburley@sympatico.ca writes: How long were apprenticeships? What would it take to become a "Master"? As a master could he train others? His son became an electroplater as well. Hi I believe an apprenticeship lasted for seven years. Do you know where he was apprenticed and with which company. When he had completed his Apprenticeship he would then be allowed to work as a qualified man sometime as a journey man, eventually becoming a Master of his craft. Once he had qualified he would then be allowed to train his son who would have to serve an apprentice ship like his father had done. Birmingham was of course the centre for Silver work and this is where my family came from. They eventually had one of the largest well known companies called Elkington & Co. If you want to read his story, look at _www.elkingtonfamily.com_ (http://www.elkingtonfamily.com) and find George Richards Elkington. JUDY ELKINGTON [N. Derbyshire, England] www.elkingtonfamily.com ELKINGTON@rootsweb.com www.one-name.org/profiles/elkington.html