Happy St. Patricks day! I wonder if anyone can direct me. I would like to learn more about how my great great grandfather might have learned to become a cordwainer/shoemaker. I suppose an apprenticeship might have been involved but have no idea, nor if so, if any records might have been made and kept. He lived 1826-1886. I also had a great great grandfather who, like his father, was a ship's carpenter. I'm similarly interested to learn about how that trade was learned. He lived 1832-1897. I'm hoping to plan for a research trip to Philly in May so if I need to visit somewhere (Balch? HSP? FLP?) perhaps I will be able to arrange it at that time. Thanks for any guidance. Lorraine Maryland --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.