Product Ref: FHF-100
My Ancestors were ... Thames Watermen by James W Legon (2nd Edition)
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James W. Legon’s My Ancestors Were Thames Watermen (2nd Edition) is a richly informative guide tailored for family historians researching ancestors who worked as watermen or lightermen on the River Thames. These professions were vital to London’s economy and daily life from the 16th century onward, and the book offers a detailed look into their working lives, social conditions, and the institutions that governed them.
The guide begins with a historical overview of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, which regulated river workers and played a central role in their training and licensing. Legon explores the so-called “Dock Age,” a period of intense activity and transformation along the Thames, and describes the typical duties and challenges faced by those who worked the river—from ferrying passengers to transporting goods.
For genealogists, the book is especially valuable in its practical guidance. It outlines where to find relevant records, including manuscripts, civil and parish registers, census data, and employment records. It also includes a comprehensive list of websites, archives, and heritage institutions, along with appendices that provide archival accession numbers and other key research tools .
This second edition is fully revised and published by the Society of Genealogists, making it a trusted resource for anyone tracing Thames river workers in their family tree.
ISBN : 9781903462959