Lynn thanks a lot for displaying that tune book... I could read it OK. Does the Village Music Project have a copy of this, I'm unfamiliar with it. I have to say I think I disagree with you about the tunes having been written down by the owner of the book having learned them by ear. I havent looked at all of the tunes, but I've glanced at some, and I would guess a fair amount are copied from printed sources. however, this is a very difficult area to make judgements in, and you have to weigh up a lot of evidence. You may perfectyly well be right, and I may be talking rubbish. I'll have a browse at the rest!
    Anyway, join in the fun . Make a few guesses. how many fiddlers in England, 1600-1900? And what was the average number of tunes composed by each fiddler? Wild guesses. or carefully thought out estimates backed up by sound evidence: all are equally welcome!