In a message dated 5/27/2000 6:04:24 PM Mountain Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << I think Spinster is more a reference to her marital status rather than occupation. In early suits, the women is usually identified as being married to a named individual unless, of course, she is not married, in which the term "spinster" is applied. >> I agree. On many, many marriage licenses, I see the term spinster (never married) or widowed (spouse died) in back of the woman's name. I have seen widowered after the man's name to mean the same. If he was never married before, it's either left blank, or bachelor or single was added. Hope this helps. Diane