susanD

Thanks all of you for the interesting replies to the origin of the use of the name Rodneys. Also, about the boating families and the history of living on their barges. My Grandma Brown had an older sister, - Nell, who married (15 years after the first of their 6 children were born!)Joseph Mortiboyes who was a bargee on the Birmingham canal. I know they lived in a 'back to back' house in 1921 in the center of Birmingham because my mom was born there in April of that year! I don't think they ever lived on the barge/narrow boat. - Am I right that 'barge' is the correct term for a working boat, 'narrow boat' for the boats used ffor leisure, living on now? Susan

Thanks Alan!, Yes I am thrilled to have found this out! I was given the oral history that my 4x gt grandad was murdered 20+ years ago, and at last have proved the story! It took 3hours of searching old newspapers on a worn old film veiwer, but worth the effort! I wonder why these 'reckless houseless fellows' were given the name Rodneys!? - more research! Wonder where my family history will take me next!? thanks for your interest. Susan

I now have found a newspaper report of the dicovery and apprehension of the murderer of my 4x gt grandad William Brown Apparently he was waiting in the 'hovel' for a lift back to Smethwick with a bargee friend.I quote - 'The hovel in question was built by the canal company as a shelter for boatmen who had to await their turn at the locks, but for several years past had been the skulking-place of a class of men known as 'rodneys,' a set of houseless, reckless fellows, who have no settled employment, who live by means of picking up anything by way of plunder which comes within their reachand when this is not to be had conviently render assistance to the boatmen.' Thanks so much to all who helped answer my queiry. - Carry on barging! Love Susan X

Thanks, Yes, I did find Tindal bridge on Google maps, and may go to look afer the central library visit! The description of 'the boatmans hovel near Tindal bridge old Birmingham canal sides' is the description of the place the murder took place, reported I presume, by the police to the coroner. SusanD

Thank-you both for your replies, sorry to have been a long time responding, I had trouble signing in! (thanks to Alnwick for help!) I have the death cert.,- registed by the coroner. - I am booked into Bham Library on Thursday, will be looking for newspaper, coroners' reports etc. The death occured at 'The boatmans hovel near tindal bridge on the B'ham Fazely canal. Could it have been a pub or some sort of 'doss' house on the side of the canal? Just thought someone on here might know of such a place! This find has confirmed oral family history and work by previous cousins (now dead!)- so all very exciting! William was an agricultural labourer , rather fond of a drink, and at the time of his death lived in Bucknall End Castle Bromwich, and would go once a week to market on his horse, and return home almost senceless in the saddle! The murderer was convicted of manslaughter and I would think, hanged. Will let you know if I find more . SusanD.

Can any one tell me about a place on the side of the canal called the boatmans hovel? I have found out my4 times gt grandfather was murdered at the 'boatmans' hovel on the Fazely canal in 1847!