
Cheers Colin. Funny you should mention the canal building, as I had thought along those lines as well, but in reverse. I follow the Cheshire/Lancs boards, as I have family from those areas too. The YARWOODs are my husband's side.
I've wondered if John YARWOOD didn't go over to Ches to work or was perhaps even a canal/bargeman. The reason I wondered is due to several surnames [PERCIVAL, KENNERLY/KENNERLEY & ROWLAND] in Cheshire which show up in connection with Ann YARWOOD. Her son Benj. HEATER and his wife Fanny PAYNE named their first born son Harold David Percival. Ann's second husband was a John KENNELLY; 3rd an Edward ROWLAND. With my own research I've found KENNELLY sometimes has an 'R' in it. Lots of YARWOODs in Cheshire also and many of them are Ann & John. Plus the YARWOODs are in short supply in Lincs.
It sometimes amazes me just how far some of my ancestors trekked from home, particularly some in the NE of Scotland. They moved all over the place within Banffshire/Aberdeenshire, with a few going off down toward Edinburgh and/or over to Glasgow. I know many couldn't afford to take a train and quite a few pre-date the railway system. I would imagine it might have been a little easier for their contemparies in England, though I'm sure most were not very well off either.
We have Ann's first husband David and what I'm almost certain were his 3 older brothers relocating to Brighton, from Chichester/just north of there. My 2 x g-gf from N. Devon going off to Shetland and his brother to Gillingham/Chatham. The latter obviously couldn't find work (shipwright) in Devonport [Devon at any rate] so off to Kent he went. I often wonder if they ever saw one another again/kept in touch via letters? So as you say, YARWOODs making their way eventually to London, it was a short jaunt down to Brighton .. only about 50-55 miles. Fanny PAYNE was from Bermondsey. So lots of examples.
If the folk Geoff found are our's, then it lookes like Northants will be on the 'menu' along with all the others!!
Sorry regarding any in the USA. Approx 98% of my family rearch is British. Have only found one instance of any of hubby's leaving the UK and they went to Australia in 1925-6. Some of mine in the latter 1800s+ to Can, Australia and one to the USA.
Again, many thanks for your interesting and helpful message.
Toni ~ Ontario