Researching John Forsyth, Monaghan, Linen Draper 1840. A John Forsyth was named by his son on a bounty emigrant's shipping record in 1839 as a Linen Draper. An internet search shows up three very different versions of this occupation 1) A linen draper was a labourer, involved with draping the linen to be prepared for the process of beetling (applying the desirable sheen finish.) 2) A Linen Draper (from the extract below) was a middleman linking the linen producer to the linen merchant. 3) A Linen Draper was a shop keeper who sold linen fabric, garments and haberdashery. The Linen Industry 1700 to 1800 - Nth-East. Ireland. The linen industry was still a cottage industry and not factory based. Linen was fully integrated into the agricultural system as a method of supplementing agricultural earnings. All members of the family were involved, with the land providing the subsistence. After the linen had been woven and spun on the farm, the unbleached linen was brought to the Brown Linen Markets where DRAPERS bought it. These DRAPERS were the middlemen linking the producer to the merchant. The DRAPER bought the linen, bleached and finished it, then he had to carry it to be sold in Dublin, the only major commercial centre in Ireland. Is there any way I can find out which one of the three versions above , was John Forsyth's 1840 occupation of LINEN DRAPER ?? Are there any lists available? Thanks, Rob.