I read with interest the article by Clive Hackford in
March’s edition of the Berkshire Family Historian.
Some of my ancestors supposedly owned a barge or barges in
the late 1800s and it is said that although my great-great grandmother
lived in a house in Reading, she always spent as much time as she could
on her barge. Her sons also had barges and travelled the Kennet and
Windrush River.
Reading the article made me wonder whether there might be
a register of barges and if there is where I might find it. I don’t
know the name of the barge only that the surname of the owners was
THORPE.
I wonder if anybody might be able to help.
It might be worthwhile trying the surname index of
canal and river boatmen which contains about 10,000 surnames. It’s
free, but if you have names to add to the list they are very welcome.
Send a stamped self-addressed envelope to John Roberts, 52 St. Andrews
Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B75 6UH. The Editor.
See also Watermen and Mariners contacts at townsleyb.members.beeb.net/Boatmen/contact01.htm.
Webmaster.
with any queries
.