| The boat has always been essential in helping people cross the River Thames, as well as being a means of travel. With only one bridge up until the eighteenth century, boatmen were therefore for hire in great numbers; the lightermen supplying a cargo service and the watermen providing a passenger service. The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames have enjoyed a long history, having been formed in 1566. For those with ancestors who worked in this field 'My Ancestors were Watermen' is a book for you. The first part of the book introduces the Company of Watermen, with a brief history and an insight into the working life of a Thames lighterman. The second part covers the steps to be taken to trace your ancestors, using the author's own family history as a guide. This new edition has updated and expanded the listing of all known sources of further reading on the subject together with a listing of useful websites. Also included in the appendixes are lists of the Masters of the Company, Doggetts Coat and Badge winners and a list of Lighterage companies. The guide is illustrated throughout with examples of the material available from the archives.
Contents:
About the Author
List of Illustrations
Foreword
Acknowledgements
1. Watermen and Lightermen History
- A Brief History of the Company
- Working Life of a Thames Lighterman
- Employment Status of Watermen and Lightermen
- The Great Dock Age
- Doggett's Coat and Badge Race
- Watermen and the Monarchy
- Waterman's Hall
- Watermen and the Navy
- Almshouses and Charities
2. Tracing Your Watermen and Lightermen Ancestors
- The Manuscripts Section, Guildhall Library
- Civil Registration
- Parish Registers
- Census
- Family History Societies (FHS)
- National Archives (N.A.)
- Houses of Parliament
- Case Study
Bibliography and Further Reading
Glossary
Appendix 1. Master of the Company
Appendix 2. Doggett's Coat and Badge Winners
Appendix 3. Plying Places and Wharves of the Thames
Appendix 4. Legon Family Tree
Appendix 5. Useful Addresses and Websites
Appendix 6. Timeline of the Thames
Appendix 7. Lighterage Companies
Appendix 8. Clerks of the Company
Appendix 9. Watermen in the Navy c1809
Appendix 10. Watermen Archives at the Guildhall Library
Appendix 11. 1671 Table of Fares
Appendix 12. Number of Apprentices and Freedoms by Year
Appendix 13. 1809 List of Members
Appendix 14. London's Docks
Appendix 15. Subscriptions of the Court for the Building of the First Asylum
Appendix 16. Publications Available on CD
Index
Feedback |
Twitter
Facebook