I have two families of watermen in my family tree and would be interested in hearing from any one interested in them. They are as follows The DODGSON family were based in Knottingley, Yorkshire. Michael, baptised on 18 November 1798 was a waterman as was his son Michael, baptised 2 May 1830 and grandson Frank, born 1859, a seaman William VALLENCE or VALLANS (1745-1801)was a keelman in Ryton, Northumberland as was his son William (1770-). His son William (1802-1866) was based in the Winlaton area and was variously listed as a keelman or waterman and had two sons also watermen. They were John (1830-) who had a son John (1856-) and Thomas (1839-)