Canal Boatmen

[JohnJean]

Thank you for the information. I have not found the marriage referred to but if James Harrison had a brother, a possibility mentioned by Curly in a recent post, there might well be another distant ancestral relation. I will keep checking. Thanks. John.

[canal woman]

Just how wonderful!
My family were Canal Boatmen from the beginning of the canals and they have proved a huge source of enjoyment and frustration whilst researching them.  I seem to have' lived ' the Trent and Mersey Canal and the Staffs and Worcester ,  not to mention the Midland canals for years and to be honest am no nearer solving all the family connections than when i started out over 25 years ago!!!
 So, just good hunting and if i can help you at all please ask.

[JohnJean]

Thank you very much for the offer. If I find any more clues in my investigations I will let you know. Thanks. John.

[JohnJean]

Hello again I have been recently investigating mainly Thomas Harrison father of James Harrison but it all gets very vague pre 1841. I received a reply from Odessa on 28 July regarding a grave site stone at St. Helen's Witton for James Harrison, Mary Harrison, Betsy and Betty Burgess. James and Mary are accounted for and I am presuming Betsy was a daughter that passed away early. Betty Burgess remains a little mystery however. Mary's parents were Samuel and Betty Foster/Forster so it might be that she remarried?? but there is no definite clue on the ancestry websites. Can anybody suggest where the next avenue could be. Additionally, I would like to know if anybody can direct me to someone or somewhere I can obtain a reasonably priced photograph/s of the grave/s stone/s to enable it/them to be sent to me in Australia. Thanks. John.

[canal woman]

If the graves are in Witton Cemetry I would be able to go and photo them for you and then if you have email I could send them.
Just point me in the right direction

[JohnJean]

To canal woman, That is so very kind of you. I do feel guilty not offering something though. I can only tell you that the stone/s have been listed as one site at St. Helen's Witton:  James Harrison died Dec 30 1877 age 60:Mary Harrison died May 6 1884 age 64: Betsy daughter died July 17 1854 age 16 months:Betty Burgess died June 30 1878 age 85. Unfortunately, I don't know in what area of the graveyard they are located. If that is not enough I will try to investigate further.I do have an email address jha20912@bigpond.net.au Thank you so much if it is possible. John

[canal woman]

Hi.
Witton is a big Cemetry, but easy enough to walk round,, and I will enjoy the challenge!!!!
I go to  Witton Church, have been  for many years.   It is the Parish Church of Northwich.
Just bear with me and I will get back to you .........................everything is possible in family History , it just takes time!!!!

Sallie

Ps.. never feel guilty....we just help each other if we can!

[odessa]

JohnJean/Sallie,

The M.I. I quoted for the Harrison stone was for a grave from the churchyard, not the cemetery (taken from the volume of same, held at Northwich Library) - might narrow things down for you. Hopefully it will be one of the stones still upright!

odessa.

[allibaker]

james harrison bapt 27th april 1817 great budworth parents listed as jno harrison and betty.
hope this helps?
regards
alli