1851 to 1871 lookup please edward foley boatman

[Annerley]

I don't know if you're still searching for Edward Foley as your post is 3 years old now, but I am a direct descendant of Edward Foley. He was my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather.

There are still quite a few Foleys in West Bromwich, and in fact a distant cousin of mine on the Foley side is still in the Canal barge business.

In 1861 Edward was on a barge in Cheadle, Staffordshire called "The Rifle Man", his wife Rebecca (nee Reeves) is not with him at this time, but he has four of the children with him (Eliza, Emma, Phoebe and Joseph). I believe Rebecca was not with him at this time as my Great-Great Grandfather (George) was born around this time. My Great-Grandfather was Samuel Foley, who died aged 46. Three of Samuel's children are still alive, including my Grandmother.

I am still researching and haven't gone back to 1851 but will post again when I have more information.

Just out of interest, what is your connection with the Foleys?

My tree is on Ancestry.co.uk

[Richard Knott]

This would fit with the 1837 marriage but no connection with boats:

1841  Sedgley, Wolv.
HO107/998/7
Edward Foley, 20, lab
Rebecca Foley, 20
Mary Ann Foley, 3
Maria Foley, 9m

In 1851 there is a Mary Ann Foley, 21, (unm) living in Sedgley (with her daughter Maria, 1m) as a servant to William Reeves. The coincidence of names may be just that.

[Traysha]

hi, just googled Edward Foley and found this thread. Your Edward was my 1st coz 4xremoved. Don't know if I've been in touch with you before but Edwards gd father, another Edward married Rebecca Cooksey and I am descended from his son Williams line. I am in touch with someone in New Zealand who is directly descended from Edward and Rebecca Reeves' son Samuel. Are you looking for more info or do you have some to impart. Would love to exchange some fresh info and ideas.

[sundancer]

Hello,

I've been researching my family tree for a while. I have a strong connection with the canals, was fascinated by them as a child and eventually lived on a canal boat. I'm back on dry land now but still own a narrowboat for family holidays etc.

It wasn't until after I started to live on that I found out about my family history. My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather was also Edward Foley, I am from David Foley's line. David was born "on-board" but moved out of the family business, from what I have heard (from older relatives) the Foley family owned and operated several of their own boats. Some records show family members as visitors to other boats during census so this may be an indicator that they had other families working their boats.

I have a few photographs going back to David Foley (b. 1866) and have some form of family tree to before 1750. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has information or is connected with this family.

Later this summer we plan to take our narrowboat along the Caldon Canal to Froghall tracing the journey that must have been very common for our family 150 years ago.

Phil.

[Traysha]

Hi Phil, nice to meet a new rellie, even if a little distant. The earliest Foley photo I have is c1889 of William and his wife Nancy nee Burley. Wm and your David were 2nd cousins. As far as I know he never set foot on a boat but made his living as a chainmaker/publican and brewer of beer and soft drinks.

I take it you still live in UK? My contact has written a book called 'Waterways to Railways' which is just for family and there is a small paragraph on David and Mary Annie Smith. No doubt she could have put in more if she had known of your connection!

Send me a pm with your email address if you want any further contact.

Pat

[sillgen]

Hi
Sundancer will need at least one more post before he can send a pm.  Reply to this and you have another one, Phil!  Click on the scroll under Traysha's name to get to the Personal Message facility.
Andrea

[adriatikfan]

Can I please say a huge thank you to those of you who posted the last 3 or 4 messages. For a variety of reasons I haven't been able to do much Family History work in the last few years but can do so again now.

I would very much like to make contact with you and have sent PMs this evening.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes
David

[adriatikfan]

I don't know if you're still searching for Edward Foley as your post is 3 years old now, but I am a direct descendant of Edward Foley. He was my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather.

There are still quite a few Foleys in West Bromwich, and in fact a distant cousin of mine on the Foley side is still in the Canal barge business.

In 1861 Edward was on a barge in Cheadle, Staffordshire called "The Rifle Man", his wife Rebecca (nee Reeves) is not with him at this time, but he has four of the children with him (Eliza, Emma, Phoebe and Joseph). I believe Rebecca was not with him at this time as my Great-Great Grandfather (George) was born around this time. My Great-Grandfather was Samuel Foley, who died aged 46. Three of Samuel's children are still alive, including my Grandmother.

I am still researching and haven't gone back to 1851 but will post again when I have more information.

Just out of interest, what is your connection with the Foleys?

My tree is on Ancestry.co.uk

Annerley - I hope you return to read this at some stage - my understanding is that Samuel emigrated to Australia and eventually died in New Zealand.

Best Wishes
David

[twink1]

I have confirmed links back to the Foley family of boatpeople who are recorded in the 1871 census in West Bromwich as:

Edward Foley,  54,  Boatman,  born Kingswinford
Rebecca Foley  51,  Boatwoman, born Coleshill (?)
Keziah Foley,    19,  Boatwoman,  born Bilston
Phoebe Foley,   16,  Boatwoman,  born Bilston
Joseph Foley,    14,  Boatman,  born Bilston
Georrge Foley   11,  Boatman,  born  Dudley
Samuel Foley,  7       Boatman,  born Oldbury
David Foley,     4,  Boatman,  born Bilston.

On the 1871 census, page RG10/2986, there is no mention of any address, boat, vessel, losdging place - nothing!. It is the same on the previous page and the following page.

I have had no joy in any area pre 1871 - any help, information, advice or guidance would be very much appreciated. Edward was my great great grandfather.

Best Wishes
David