Susan Perrett, When you say "the mid 1800's" I think you mean the mid-1850s? I have a Thomas West, stationer and newsagent, in the High Street in Sandgate at least between 1871-1882. Is he the same man? He appears not to be in the 1871 and 1881 censuses and appears not to have left a will (for the period 1879-1911). Several stationers in Kent were paper-hangers, they do deal in paper after all. Richard Goulden Does anyone know of a place called Kennard Place, Sandgate, Kent? I have a feeling it no longer exists, as I could not find it on Google Earth! Back in the mid 1800's there was a firm called T.West's, Picture framers and Paper hanging Warehouse, 1 Kennard Place. I am a bit short of info to give you any more!!