Many thanks to all who so promptly answered my call for help. All are agreed that the census entry describes William Cort in Great Bowden as a Trunk Maker. I presume this means the sort of large box that people packed their belongings in for a long trip - perhaps before suitcases became more commonly used - perhaps what boy would take to boarding school. I would have expected such an occupation to be in Leicester or Northampton where a market for such an item might exist. Most of the rest of the Corts in the area for wehom an occupation is given seem to be farmers or "ag labs" or graziers. Donald Hurd _________________________________________________________________ Exercise your brain! Try Flexicon! http://puzzles.sympatico.msn.ca/chicktionary/index.html?icid=htmlsig