Hello Everyone I have hit something of a brick wall in my research and am hoping that SKS can help me at least take one or two of these bricks down. I am searching for the origins of my 4XGGrandfather James RIDING. James was a clothier who lived and died in Dewsbury, West Riding of Yorkshire. James married Hannah NEWSOME on 7th November, 1814 at Dewsbury and died and was buried there in 1827 aged 34.At his marriage the parish register described him as "of this parish" but there are absolutely no other clues as to his origins at all before this point in time. I have done extensive research over the years and have found two possibilities for my James. The first is a Jemmy RIDING born in Keighley in 1792 and the other is James Riding born in Selby in 1792. James and Hannah had two sons, both of whom they called Joseph (obviously, one died young). As Hannahs father was called Benjamin, I am assuming that James father was called Joseph, this fits the Selby possibility perfectly. This is where your experience of the canals (especially the Aire and Calder) maybe able to help me. The Selby James father was a sailor who obviously ! lived and worked out of Selby. I would like to know the following: a/ Was a sailor then the same as a sailor today, i.e. would they be limited to working on the high-seas or would they venture onto the inland waterways. b/How likely would it be that a sailor who reached late middle age would transfer from working the high-seas to working the inland waterways. c/More specifically, has anyone any knowledge of a Joseph RIDING working the Aire and Calder, or any other canal around 1800 - 1810. I am completely confused as to how a man born in Selby into a sailing family could end up in Dewsbury as a clothier. It would seem that the only link between the two places is the canal. Any help on this matter or anything related to sea and canal trade in and out of Selby around 1800 would be most gratefully received. Best regards Andrew Riding