Boat men Uxbridge Leicestershire

[DandoT]

Hi there, this is my first post on here so I'm still working out how to do everything!
I've been struggling with finding my Hallford and Jones ancestors who worked on canal boats around Middlesex (Uxbridge) and Leicestershire.
My great x3 grandfather, George Halford was born in Castle Donington I believe and my great grandfather Albert Jones was a boatman in Uxbridge although I believe his father was a brickmaker..

If anybody has any info on or connections to these families, it would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks and best wishes

[blodwen]

Hi DandoT

Welcome to Rootschat 

We do need a bit more information to enable us to research more.

Do you have any birth dates/marriage dates/death dates for either men?

Viv

[DandoT]

Hello

Thank you, and thank you for your reply.

Well George Halford was born in 1839 and I think he died in 1909. He married Priscilla Bishop around 1862- I think George's father was Thomas Halford but there has been a lot of dispute over George and Priscilla in regard to their parents and marriage date as there were so many name changes. (Alford/Hallford/Halford/Orford!) and also as Priscilla may have had her step-father's surname, Hulcup/Alcome.. 

As for the Jones family, Albert was born in 1888 and he married Amy Hughes in 1916 and then my great grandmother, Violet Hallford in 1941. (Her father, Henry Hallford [George's son] worked with Albert on the canal I think).

I think Albert's father was William Jones, a brickmaker born around 1849 in West Drayton but it is here I have become stuck- both with the fact his name is Jones and also the nature of working on the canals and moving about.

Sorry for the confusing message, I haven't written this very clearly :S

Many thanks,

Tansy

[blodwen]

Hi Tansy,

If you haven't got it:
Albert E Jones / Amy Hughes
Marriage Ref: Uxbridge Q4 1915 / 3A 122

This would give you Albert Jones' father's name and occupation.

Albert E Jones / Violet M Hallford
Marriage Ref: Uxbridge Q4 1941 / 3A 336

What makes you believe Albert Jones became a boatman?

Viv

[blodwen]

1901 Census: RG13, 1176, 152, 14

Albert's occupation is BOAT BUILDER Labourer

Living with his mother and various siblings at  6 Stacey's Cottages, Horton Road, Yiewsley

[blodwen]

In 1911 his occupation states GENERAL LABOURER

[DandoT]

That's great, thank you

Well, that's just from information my grandmother gave me about her father- but boat builder may be more accurate! I know he definately worked on the Grand Union Canal on the boats- I think he may have also kept pigeons! Unfortunately, my Nanny doesn't know much about the history of the family other than they worked on boats.

I think quite a lot of the Hallfords were actually born on boats- Here is a list of boats owned by George Hallford: 1903-- Wide boat, "Sisters", formerly named "Charles"- Berkhempstead
1925-- Wide boat, "May", previously named "Stella" and owned by St. Marylebone Borough Council- Uxbridge
1925-- transfer of "Alice May" previously owned by James Heather
1929-- Wide boat "Jim", previously "Western"- Uxbridge

Best wishes

[DandoT]

Sorry, those boats were owned by Henry Hallford [George's son and Violet's father]

[blodwen]

Maybe that is now your g-grandfather and g-grandmother met.  She was on the boats and he repaired/built them

There is still a boat yard on the Grand Union Canal at Ubridge in operation.  Don't know if they have any information from forgone years.

Being Cowley born and bred I loved wandering along the canal, up to the locks at Cowley etc. 
Might be worth googling those boat names and see what comes up now.

Viv