Liz, >Unfortunately my gg granddad John Sheldon died before the 1841 census I >do however have the MI, Copy of the church death record, and his death >cert. All three state that his trade as a Boatman. These three should all say the same anyway I would have thought. What about his marraige ? Were any children baptised ? Was the marraige at a church or the boatmans chapel ? >In the 1841 census Susannah states she is a widow and her occupation is >that of a Boating Agent living on the Oldbury Road. Is this Oldbury Road Smethwick. If so, this lies alongside the two bits of the Birmingham - Wolverhampton canal. There is the older winding level and the later (and deeper, straighter) Birmingham level. Both are part of the BCN. Just nearby is the Bromford Stop and lots of wharves. > >I am seeking to find some possible answers to the following, but I am at >at a loss as to where I should look. > >1. Where would my gg gran have possibly worked in that area ? From her own front parlour or if she was very busy she may have rented/owned premises canalside. She should appear in trade directories of the time. >2. Is there such a thing as records that where kept for the Boat folks? Yes, gauging registers, Gauging registers describe the boat and name it, cargo, give the boat owner and sometimes the boat operator. The problem is that they are all over the place and not in one central location. For the Midlands area in general, first try Walsall Local History Centre, or Sandwell Local Studies Dept. at Smethwick. You could also get in touch with Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and the Britsh Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks. If she traded with any of the large concerns you might at a stretch find trade records somewhere. >3. Is this work a family trade on the canals that is passed down ? Yes, frequently you will find families who all work on the canal. Brothers, fathers, grandfathers. Women as well. But not all doing the same thing. You can get variations say boat loader, Steerer, Boat Owner, Contractor etc. You also get intermarraige between boatee families. Does your research mention anywhere the term 'dayboatman'. If so he could very well be local born, Other wise if he was an owner boat man he could have come from any place along the cut. The 1841 census will say if Susannah was born out of county. >Any guidence of where to look for Boat folks in fiche, books, or any >other sources would be very much welcomed and appreciated. > Books can be had from the museums mentioned. You could also try Braunston. If you want addresses just holler. Phil in Hales Owen.