Judith Akhurst wrote: > Hi Robin, > > Further to Stella's email, would suggest contacting the Worshipful > Company of Goldsmiths ( www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk ) ; see > http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/contact/ - The Library, and The > Curator may be your best bet. > > Companies' and Guilds' records go back centures. I don't have the original mail nor Stella's reply, so apologies if I'm repeating something that's already been said. The Watermen and Lightermen have similar records so a check can be made there as well to see if a James CARTER is listed who fits the OP's man. I agree it would be unlikely for a time served goldsmith to then become an apprentice again as a waterman. Unfortunately CARTER is a common (occupational derived) surname and James was also a popular name so it's very likely there'd be a number of men called James CARTER in the same area and of a similar age. -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Greinton and Clutton, SOM Asst OPC for Ashcott and Shapwick, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk