I guess this thread is far to long for anyone to actually read it any more but I just came across a book called " The Weaver and the Factory Maid", by Deborah Grabien ( Like me, English, living in San Francisco), supposed to be the first in a new mystery series each of which will be built around characters in folk ballads.
Unfortuntately MS Grabien doesn;t write very well but if your'e a Folkie.........