Hello All, I have a question regarding steamboating in New York in the 1850's-1860's. My GGgrandfather listed his occupation as "Steamboating on the Hudson River", when he entered the Navy during the Civil War in 1862 and he enlisted from the state of "New York". He was born in Troy, NY and I am trying to locate when he left Troy and where he went to. I don't find him in the census for 1850 or 1860 in Troy (Renssealer County). I am then trying to think of where he might have gone to work on steamboats on the Hudson in New York. I don't know how much relevance it has but his younger brother ended up in Webster, MA. in the 1870's. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks, Patti Smith

Patti Smith wrote: <<<My GGgrandfather listed his occupation as "Steamboating on the Hudson River", when he entered the Navy during the Civil War in 1862 and he enlisted from the state of "New York". He was born in Troy, NY and I am trying to locate when he left Troy and where he went to. I don't find him in the census for 1850 or 1860 in Troy (Renssealer County). I am then trying to think of where he might have gone to work on steamboats on the Hudson in New York. I don't know how much relevance it has but his younger brother ended up in Webster, MA. in the 1870's.>>>> I don't know if I can help too much other than to say that the Hudson river boat traffic must have been considerable and Troy/Lansingburgh had many workers in the industry including my gg and g grandfathers (along with their brothers). You might also look in Albany and of course, any of the other cities along the Hudson down to New York City. My forefathers known to have been on the river at Troy for some or all of their lives were: William Spotten MITER 1791-1825 Thomas Halloway MITER 1797-1873 John J MITER 1809-1875 (on the river for just a few years when younger) Thomas William MITER 1926-1896 Brad Miter/Ohio