Boats and Canals

[johnny b]

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 try to find information you require

Best wishes

John.

[Richard1955]

Hi John
I have a very large PUMPHREY family in the 1800's that were boatmen using the rivers or canals between Tewkesbury and Staffordshire. That's all I have at the moment but very interested to learn more.
Richard

[johnny b]

That sounds really promising, i live in staffordshire and often walk the canals there. Please let me know if you find more out, i would love to put the story on the Boats and Canals forum. i will also try and find out about the boats they used if you can find out the names ect.

Thanks and best wishes

John

[Richard1955]

Hi J
Did you know the Severn and the Avon rivers meet at Tewkesbury. That's why it floods most winters.
I learnt only yesterday that clay was bought up the Avon from Bristol to Tewkesbury and then onto Staffordshire potteries on the Severn.
The really daft thing about this is I live only 10 miles from Tewkesbury and I know if I had the time in the last 8 years to spend a day or two in Tewkesbury I would have pages and pages of info for you.
Should be able to do something in the next month or two. Will keep you posted.
In the mean time anything you get would be of great interest to me.

Richard

[johnny b]

will do, thanks

[whites]

Hi John Did you find out names of boats used from Tewkesbury to Staffordshire?
Regards whites

[johnny b]

Very sorry, i did not.

[Jennypiglet]

Hi John

I hope you can help me.

My great grandfather, William Nelson Pearce, was a sawyer and canalman for the GWR canals in Wiltshire.

He was born about 1860 in Great Bedwyn and lived all his live in Wiltshire - Devizes, Pewsey areas.

Various records I have say he was a GWR canalman in the 1920s but he started as a sawyer some time after 1891.

I can find plenty of info about the GWR rail system, but nothing on the canals.

Any help gratefully received.

Thanks, Jenny

[johnny b]

leave it with me.

[johnny b]

Jenny we are looking into this for you, we have found these links for you to follow whilst we search further, Johnny b.

Look at chapter 2 if you want to buy the book,

http://www.
saxoncourtbooks.co.uk/railway-books/item81-gwr-goods-services-introduction.htm

Also a wiki page, but im sure you have checked the links on this site.

http://en.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Western_Canal

we search on for you, best wishes

John

www.boatsandcanals.co.uk

[Jennypiglet]

HI John

thanks for your reply and the links you sent. I have looked at the Wikipedia one before but I didn't know about Saxon Court books- looks like a fascinating site!

I'm guessing from what I have found out so far that my relative must have been primarily employed to keep the canals in good repair - they seem to have been reaching the end of their useful service life by the late 19th early 20th centuries.

please do keep in touch if you discover more

many thanks

Jenny

[thedogs]

hi johnny b,my fathers name(s) are helps,help,elps,elp & earps,william earps my g/father was born 1872 in stone staffs, i think they may of come from warwickshire prior to this have you any information about them also i think a canal boat named "ada" any information will be welcomed cheers

[johnny b]

Can you be more helpful with your question, your fathers name/s looks a bit strange, can you explain it better, what is ADA connection with the question, thanks John,, why the confusion on your fathers name, please pm me if you want,
John