Michael Owen

Hi everyone - thanks for your responses to my post yesterday. The photograph you show Jeanette is the item that made me raise this query in the first place having been displayed on an enthusiast website along with a mention of James Hall. I would certainly be interested in details of the other Hall families though. It was certainly a family profession, James' grandfather Thomas was a boatman and just today I have found the census of 1861 showing him moored at Orsall Locks in Salford carrying lime on a vessel called 'Wonder' owned by a Mr John Bibbington. Currently I'm trying to find if the Halls were involved in canal transportation from the outset at Bugsworth in 1798 right through to the demise of trade there in the 1930's. Bill, the historical background is fascinating - absolutely enjoy discovering these stories behind the names. Currently I live in New Mills, very close to the Peak Forest Canal and only a couple of miles from Bugsworth Basin where Thomas Hall lived when not out on the water. I shall certainly look at the 'Britain from above' website but if you could find the picture of The Waterman I would be very grateful. Searching old photo collections on the net has proved fruitless. Pete, is there any way in which you could let me see copies of the registration documents please? I'm not sure of the information they hold but I'm sure to find it interesting. I haven't come across that Droylsden address yet in my research but certainly 'Lizzie', 'Ivy' and 'Maud' are family names closely related to James. Thanks again for all your help Michael

I came across a discussion whilst researching my family history associated with the Hall family of Bugsworth, Derbyshire. The topic centred around Fairfield Locks but mentioned a boat owner called James Hall who was also publican at The Waterman's Inn close to the locks. I was wondering if anyone could point me towards any other information about James (full name James Samuel Hall). He was a third generation boatman in the Hall family and I believe he may have also become a local councilman in the area. Many thanks.