Genealogy Forum UK

My direct line -Whitehouse + Hodgetts
Names associated by marriage..
Shaw
Hall
Woodward
Williams
Asson
King
Allen
Bowery
Probyn
Pooler
Smith
Fletcher
Staffs-Worcs-Gloucs-Herefordsh.-Shropsh.

Jac

Hi Jac,

I too have boatmen as ancestors. Mine are named James Foster and his father John. I have had no luck in finding them on any census. How have you got on with yours?

Cid

Hello Cid
Must admit, they can be buggers to track down!!
1861 cens. seems to be the worst, but due to their occupation, probably moored out of enumerators reach.
If you can give me a little more info re yours , I'll have a scout about.

Jac

there 2 or 3 link in the links section for boatmen under occupation i think

I'm connected to Fletcher's, some of whom were boatmen.
My GGG.Grandfather William Fletcher was the Lapal tunnel keeper in 1851.
His sons John b1814 Richard 1816 William 1818 and Benjamin 1821

Regards Jeff

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

Cid
Possible bapt.for James..Jas Foster 24 March 1816 St Thomas Dudley Parents John + Ann

Poss.parents in 1861 Paradise, Dudley (Paradise very near to Netherton) RG9/2056 folio 68 page 37
John Foster 67 boatman Tipton Staffs
Ann 67 Dudley Worcs

1851 Greystone St Dudley
James Foster 34 boatman Dudley Worcs.
Still searching in later census
Jac

Jeff
My Fletcher connection is that of a Thomas c.1816 born Coombe Hill Gloucs.(wed Mary A.Whitehouse)
Jac

Family (possible) in 1841 Dudley H0107/1196 folio 14 page 20

Jac

Cid
Only one I could find in 1881 at Stourbridge Union Workhouse Kingswinford Staffs age 57 boatman born Dudley but states a widower

Jac

Cid
Am I correct in thinking you have the 1891 census details for Agnes(at Sedgley with sister Honor)

1891 Union Workhouse Ledbury Herefordshire RG12/2052 folio 77 page 15
James Foster wid. ag lab born Dudley Worcs.

My Whitehouses travelled between Ledbury + Blackcountry(boats) in fact, a few born at Ledbury.

Jac

Hi Jac

The only census I can find Agnes on after her marriage to James Foster is 1881. She is living in Halesowen Road Netherton with daughter Sarah (my g/grandmother) her elder son Samuel James (not Samuel James Foster as transcribed, as she was married before to Robert James) and her 2 sisters Mary and Annie (or Annil) Berry. Agnes and her sisters were all born in County Down, Ireland. I can find Agnes and Robert James in 1861. But can't find Agnes and James Foster and kids on 1871 census.

Chris

Chris
Have sent you a pm

Jac

1891 cens. 28 John St. Coseley,Sedgley.Staffs RG12/2290 folio 77 page 15

Agnes Foster head mar. 50 Ireland
Honor Berry sister single 77 Ireland

Jac

Cheers jac,
have tried to send you a pm, but having a bit of a nightmare with it.... Got it as far as my outbox