hi, sally we have talked before. it is not possible to estimate how many romany people went into the large towns etc. but my own family were living around the manchester areas, in houses and in living wagons. they were pottery hawkers. and the growth in factorys that made pots goods etc, was a boon for them, as they could buy and sell cheap china glass, and all manner of household things. in my research, they all seem well off for the time, so for them, industry was a good thing . and as with all travelling people then as now, they camped and stayed in the same areas, so as some moved in to houses, others followed and brought the family with them. so in fact they were creating a type of ghetto, much as is still going on to day with immigrants. so you will find lots of romany familys in the same streets camps areas etc. there was a price to pay of course for this type of capitalisem, and some times its not the right thing to do, but it is human nature to try to better oneself. sadly this can be at a cost that often proves too high. loss of identity, and selfworth, etc, leading to all kinds of bother. still we cannot change that now.but it is very interesting to see how it affected our ancestors. anyway nice to talk to you again, bye for now rob..g