Kevin and Jean, Like you, I thought of brooms. You were probably thinking about Besom Brooms (The Witches' broomstick - which has a nice seasonal connection <BG>) . Perhaps the words Bavin and Besom have a common root? Certainly there is a connection via coppicing and twigs. Cheers Richard Brown > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 19:34:25 +0100 > From: Jean Wood <[email protected]> > Subject: [SXP] 1901 Occupation of William ADES > To: Sussex roots web <[email protected]> > > Well, I looked at it and decided it was exactly what fmp transcribed it as > > Bavin maker - I had an idea - I thought it was to do with brooms - but I > was not quite right. I put it into google and got this > > > http://www.worldthroughthelens.com/family-history/old-occupations.php > > There are several old occupations sites > > (it seems to be a very comprehensive one) > > - and it referred on to pimpmaker - I kid you not! > > One who coppices (That is someone who cuts down trees - like hazel - and > nowadays eucalyptus - to make them throw up new growth so the young shoots > can be used for making hurdles, fencing etc) . He also collected and > bundled up waste wood for fuel. > > Jean Wood > > > ------------------------------ Richard Brown Bromley, Kent U.K. Member of: - E. Surrey Family History Society ) And in http://www.eastsurreyfhs.org.uk/ ) very Lincolnshire Family History Society ) good http://www.lincolnshirefhs.org.uk/ ) company.