Waterman and Lighterman apprenticeships 1860s

[lisa06]

This is the first time I have used rootschat so here goes.

I was wondering if anyone has apprenticeship records for waterman and lighterman in London.  My ancestor, Thomas Keefe born in 1854 in Wapping, was a waterman and lighterman.  When he got married in 1872 he is listed as a lighterman and then in the 1881 in the census, he is a waterman on the barges.  I thought he might have started an apprenticeship when he was young.  But I know that at age 19 he was a potman.  So it seems not.  I wasn't aware people did both lighterman and watermen.  I've checked out the parishchest website with lots of info about watermen but no sign of Thomas on there.  He was a catholic I think, and it seems really hard to find Catholic records for the east end generally.  If anyone can shed any light on where I might find out more about Thomas I'd be really grateful.

Lisa

[behindthefrogs]

Watermen and Lightermen on the Thames belonged to their livery company and their apprentice bindings and many other documents are kept in Guildhall Library.  However you need to check because due to various refurbishments some records at Guildhall Library have been moved to the LMA and others are not available

David

[martywillis]

Thomas Keefe 09/05/1871 Wapping James Hurley 09/05/1876
Source The Company of Watermen & Lightermen of The River Thames
Bindings Index
1861-1884
by R.J. Cotteral

for further info re watermen & lightermen please read at  http://www.parishregister.com/aboutstp.html

[lisa06]

Thanks very much Marty.  That's really helpful.  I had also checked out the parishchest website for their information on watermen and lightermen.  This ancestor - Thomas Keefe - was a catholic so unfortunately doesn't appear in any of the parish registers on that webpage.  But it certainly has lots of general information which is very interesting.

Lisa

[kevinOC]

Hello Marty

I am in New Zealand and have reached a roadblock into my research into two Lighterman forbears, and I wonder if you can help me. I have searched through all the online records at ParishRegister.com and found 5 men with the ''right'' names , but birth-dates, parent names etc. did not match up. I was hoping to get some help with any further records, such as apprenticeships etc. I have read Mr.Cottrell's history and found it rivetting. What I know so far, is as follows:

Name                  d.o.b.       d.o.d.            address         Fathers Name       Mothers Name     Fathers Occ.
Henry Lambert   1822         1898       Poplar,London      Thomas                Unknown             Unknown
Census 1871, Occ. Lighterman
Census 1881, Occ. Lighterman, Master of the vessel "Sisters"

And his son
Henry George
Lambert         17/3/1850  12/6/1943   London              Henry                    Ann Cobley Nelms      Lighterman
Census 1871  Occ. Lighterman     Residence: 12 Wilson St.   Stepney.
Census 1901  Occ. Lighterman     Residence   19 Portree St. Bromley by Bow
Burial:                                          Tower Hamlets Cemetary

I would appreciate it, if you could have a look for these men in apprenticeship records.

Regards
Kevin 

[chinatown]

can anyone help me? It appears that my several generations of my family were lightermen on the Thames .

I have traced George William Matthews b 1808 whitechapel and Edward Matthews b 1845 Mile end as lightermen and I also noticed a J Matthews and James Matthews on records . My father was James Matthews ( not a lighterman) so it may be a family name.

Any suggestions how I can find out more?

Thanks