Boatman

[C Vendt]

I am researching my English family history from here in NZ. I have ggg grandparents who were boatmen in the Middlesex region by the names of Richard Sivers (b. about 1811)  & Joseph Kempster (both are listed as a boatman in 1842) possibly others also of the same surname. I believe there is a index of canal and boatmen started by a Mrs Bingham and continued by a John Roberts.
Can anyone help with looking up the index for me or may have info on the names above.
Any help would be most gratefully received.

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat. 

I'm sure someone will be along soon to answer your question, but is there anything in particular you are looking for about your boatmen ancestors?

I have located Richard in the 1851 census. He was 55 so born about 1796 and a bargeman born and living in Brentford. If you do not have the details already would you like the full details? I just had a quick look and I cannot easily see Joseph though. 

[Ruskie]

I just found a 2003 mention of an Index of Canal Boatmen and Wharfingers by Ethel Bingham, now taken over by John Roberts

The Boatman's Index -
Mr John Roberts, 52 St Andrews Rd, Sutton Coldfield,
West Midlands B75 6UH
 
THis might help:
http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/collection/family-history.htm

[Ruskie]

IF I have the right family, in 1841 Richard is a lighterman. I wonder if he ever worked on the Thames? If so, you may find something here: http://www.parishregister.com/

[Andy Miles]

If this is Joseph Kempster b 13/5/1814 Chesham, Bucks then he + his family are on my tree. In 1861 he was  master of barge Confidence with his wife Jane nee Leaver + children moored at/near Uxbridge, Middx on the Grand Union Canal or a branch canal. They had 6 children and later ran a shop in Ladbroke Grove, W London.  He died there 1902. If so, then I have more details

[Treetotal]

This should help:

http://www.parishregister.com/aboutstp.html#ancestors

Carol

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat Andy.
C Vendt hasn't been on rootschat for well over a year and has not returned to read any replies to their question. Perhaps when they joined rootschat they did not specify that they wanted to receive notification of replies via email, so may be unaware that they have had replies - nevertheless you would expect them to return to check.
This is a shame, especially if you think you may have a family connection.

[C Vendt]

If this is Joseph Kempster b 13/5/1814 Chesham, Bucks then he + his family are on my tree. In 1861 he was  master of barge Confidence with his wife Jane nee Leaver + children moored at/near Uxbridge, Middx on the Grand Union Canal or a branch canal. They had 6 children and later ran a shop in Ladbroke Grove, W London.  He died there 1902. If so, then I have more details

Hi Andy, Thanks for this, this certainly seems to be the same Joseph. I would love to get more details. My email is  ^(*)
(Ruskie is correct-I haven't received alerts through my emails possibly it went into my Spam folder and I have been remiss in remembering to check this site - life for me has had many ups and downs in the past year)

(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.

[C Vendt]

IF I have the right family, in 1841 Richard is a lighterman. I wonder if he ever worked on the Thames? If so, you may find something here: http://www.parishregister.com/

Thank you so much for your info. I will follow up on these leads. For some reason Andy's message is the first one that has come up in my email box but you are correct I should have returned to the site to check for replies. Thanks again, Cheryl