HI
I don't have much info on my boatmen ancestors but this is what I do have.
James Foster lists himself as being 48 on his marriage certificate in 1868 so therefore must have been born approx 1820. He got married in Dudley so must have travelled on the canals in the West Midlands. On marriage cert he is boatman, on his daughters birth cert he is boat steerer and on his daughters marriage cert in 1889 he is still alive, so must be 68, and down as boatman.
All I know of his father John was that he was alive according to James marriage cert in 1868, and be was a boatman.
I can find James wife and daughter on 1881 census. After daughter marries I can find her on 1891, 1901 and 1911 census. James and wife Agnes dissappear off the face of the earth or should I say canals..........
cid