Over the course of the summer I have been researching my mother in law's family tree. Her father remarried after her mother died and after his death his second wife destroyed all the documents he had so it's been a case of starting from scratch.
In the course of my research I have found that several branches of the family were working or living on canal boats based around the Trent and Mersey and latterly the Manchester Ship Canal, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. I have found two companies they worked for so far and several boat names these include:
Charles Jacks Snr - worked for the Salt Union - the 1901 census has him and his family on the 'Joyce' and the 1911 census has him and one of his sons on the 'Lapland'
Samuel Turton - worked for Frederick J Abbott Ltd - registered master of the 'Alfred Abbott' in 1929
Joseph Goode (Samuel's brother in law) - also worked for Frederick J Abbott Ltd - registered master of the 'John Abbott' in 1935
I'm wondering if anyone else is researching boat families and would like to share info? I'd be keen to hear from anyone who has researched the Salt Union Company (merged with ICI) and Frederick J Abbott Ltd. I'd be happy to pass on useful sources and information I've found so far.
Hi Andy I know this is an old post but it came up when I searched on 'Salt Union' after researching my Boatman ancestor Henry Swan (1858-1932)
His father was a lock keeper on the Trent and Mersey canal at Sandon in Staffordshire
In 1901 census he was captain of barge 'Adack' on the Bridgwater Canal at Worsley,Lancs but lived at Marston cheshire
In 1911 census he was a Waterman with The Salt Union living at Marston. as was his son William and son in law Richard
What I find amusingly coincidental is that:
Henry was married in the parish church of Salt, Staffordshire
He worked as a boatman carrying salt
His daughter married Richard Salt and had three little Salts!
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Topic: Cheshire Boat Families (Read 3199 times)