Hi Cheryl, I have an 1823 dictionary, I know that is a century later than your problem but it is at least a century closer to it than modern ones. I can find no use of Fischer other than in connection with fish and fishing. You have had enough experience to know that you should have included the name of the town and area involved. Someone might know something that does not show up on average modern maps. Celia "Celia Mitschelen" <cmitsch@ix.netcom.com>