I am new to RootsChat.com, and joined because of this special interest database. I recently discovered my 2nd great grandmother's people (her father and both grandfathers) were boatmen. Their surnames were Poole and Longmore. They lived in the rock-house community of Dunsley Rock on the outskirts of Kinver, Staffordshire, above the Staffs and Worcestershire Canal from 1841 (perhaps earlier, but I do not have census data to know) to the 1860s or 1870s. From what I have read, the Dunsley Rock community (also called Gibraltar or Badger Rock) consisted of a handful (12 or so) "permanent" families, and many had family members who were boatmen. The community also served as a lodging place (even after it was abandoned in the 1870s) for boatmen traveling through. I want to add these families (even those who are not my direct ancestors) to the database. I am posting here to meet the requisite 3 posts to begin entering!
I would also love to connect with anyone who may know more of this community or who has ancestors who lived there.
Terri
