Forum: Canals and Watermen

Hello all I expect this question may have been asked before, but I will ask it anyway! Is it the case that People travelling on boats at the time of a census would not be included on the census? I have 'lost' a couple of people from certain censuses, and try as I might with variations on names,...

I have recently managed to get a little further back in my late husband's line. His paternal grandfather's mother was descended from John Cooper, who was a waterman in Marsh Gate, Doncaster, in the early to mid-1800s. What I'm interested in finding out is whether he would simply have been ferrying...

I've just discovered Jonathan Hoar, my 5 x g-grandfather as a bargemaster on the Berkshire / Oxon borders. First of all, I'm not quite sure what a bargemaster is... He marries in Sotwell in 1781 to Mary Collins and they settle in Streatley, baptising daughters there throughout the 1780s and...

I'm keen to confirm the parentage and know more about my great-great-great grandfather George F Wright b. 1822 approx Hampton Middx (sometimes Moulsey, Surrey!) I have marriage certs for 2 of his 12 children listing him as a waterman, 2 of his sons become watermen and he spends his married life...

Searching for more information on the following boatmen:|banghead| William Henry Easthope, c1830, and son, William Henry Easthope,c1856, born Litchfield? John Thomas Dale, c1881, possibly Ireland, son of John William Dale, possibly Leigh,Lancs Isaac Slater, c1831,b. Ilkeston, Derbys

Hi...My maternal grandfather and family were all watermen (lightermen). Grandad was called James Knott (1872-1952) and was from Winteringham, Lincolnshire. His father, Christopher, had a vessel (barge) called "Blanche" around 1871-1881. I would be interested in finding more about their voyages and...

We at Boats and Canals often have people searching for people or canal related history, if we can help please feel free to ask in our forum, we do not sell anything nor do we promote our site for ranking places, we specialise purely in Canal life and its people, maybe we can be another avenue to...

Can anyone give me info regarding john Powell who was Lockkeeper at 14 Locks in Rogerstone ? He was there was daugther & son in Law in 1911. Any info regarding his death? Thanks in advance Pat researching Powell ,Lewis & Rossiter

I am trying to find out more about a Charles Smith, Bargeman, born abt 1796, father of: Elisa Smith b 1817 Matilda Smith 1818 – 1866 Charles Thomas Smith b 1821 by Mary (maiden name unknown); all baptised in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England. Daughter Matilda's marriage certificate to...

i have a samuel hatton in my family tree,who was a flatman around cheshire in the 1840's,does anyone know how i can find any info on him,are there any records relating to flatman?

hello, I am researching the family's Kent, and Chater I know that a John Kent married a Annie Chater, 21.03.1867, Leicester,, have their marriage certificate. It states that both their fathers, John Kent snr, and James Chater, were Watermen,but I cannot seem to be able to find either families...

hi all, all of my family were canal boatmen and women, i have been researching for over 15 years now and have quite a few families in my tree, some names are harrison holt/hoult,skinner,tonks,ward,wood,humphrey's humphries, and diggory, quite a few more if anyone needs help i will happily try and...

Not sure if this is the right place for this one. My dad often used to refer to a sharpened wooden implement which was used to clean clay and earth etc from spades. I found a reference in a book about Irish Navvies which used the term Minute Man, as it took just a minute to clean the spade and...

I believe that my family the wiggins married into the terry family in and around oxfordshire in about 1840's Charles wiggins married sarah(?) but his sister mary anne wiggins married a TERRY Can anyone help regarding any sites to gain info about canal men people Many thanks Kevin

I am trying to find out about my grandfather,George Bucknall who was I believe a lock keeper in Penkridge Lock No 86 this would have been around 1900-1905+. To date i have not been able to locate any info on this any help or guidance appreciated. baymanofkb.

Just thought those researching boat families may be interested in a website created by Ormskirk & District Family History Society www. boatfamilies.org.uk

Hi ,stuck abit !! grandmothers g.g.gfather ... william west on his daughters marrige cert it states he was a lighterman . his daughter annie maria west ( born 1862) married james william brown born 1861 - mar 1882 deptford . on the 1891 census she has used the name maria a brown . ...

Hi All, I am researching the Vincent family of Stepney/Limehouse/Ratclff. I wondered if anyone may have any information the Vincents as Lightermen ? (circa 1850 +/-) Kind regards...... John

Hi I would be very grateful if anyone can help with more info on Thomas Hearn and family. He was married to Mary and they had children:Thomas 1812, Edward Percy 1827, Charlotte 1827, Mary Ann 1807 & Sarah Ann 1810. The baptisms were at St Mary Magdelane, Bermondsey. I would really like to find...

Hi Maggiemac I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction. I have a George RUSHTON b.1865. He married Kate Hallam who is on the census for 1901 as Wife. George must have been at sea. My father tells me that George (my G Grandfather) had a fishing fleet of five, all named...