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keelman what is he?

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Dusty48

Dusty48 Report 22 Jul 2009 22:38

Is Bernie my boy around tonight? He can usually answer my factual queries. Or does anyone know exactly what a keelman is.Its something to do with Geordie shipbuiding or boats in general.
Does a keelman build a boat, or does he just row one?
Can anyone save me a trip to the library? Living in hope, Maureen of Durham.

Ron

Ron Report 22 Jul 2009 22:48

Google is your friend, I googled Old Occupation Keelman and got this site, very interesting

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/i-k.html

Ron
www.genealogyprinters.com

badger

badger Report 23 Jul 2009 10:39

Hi Maureen ,in your travels ,a visit to Sunderlands winter garden could be most informative as regards Keelmen and coal ,they have a large section on life on the River of which the Keelman were the cream of the river small boat trade.Fred.

Researching:
Baird,Barnes,Sturgess,King,Bristow, Mead,Brooks,Lane,Bartlett, Tyneside Chesham, Bucks,London & home counties

Mauatthecoast

Mauatthecoast Report 23 Jul 2009 10:47

Keelmen were highly skilled boatmen who ferried the coal from banks of the Tyne to Collier ships.

There is a local Geordie song "we'll may the keel row that my lass is in"......
My ancestors were Keelboatmen and Foyboatmen on the Tyne.


Mau x

Researching:
In my own little world where everybody knows me... ..... best thing about happy memories is making them....

Dusty48

Dusty48 Report 23 Jul 2009 21:30

hi folks,
thanks foryour info.
Ron,loved the site,enjoyed reading about igglers,kissersetc.Specially liked the ''occupation'' of interfactor--i.e. murderer !
Badger,ashamed to say that I havent been to Sunderland museum for about 2 yrs,but will certainly check it out.After all,these kind of details put the flesh on the bones of genealogy,dont they?
Maureen,how interesting to have keelmen in your history.I'm delighted to have a change of occupation from miners and masons
thanks agian to you all
maureen in Durham.

Dusty48

Dusty48 Report 23 Jul 2009 22:39

hi Budgie,
from now on when I think of that song, I'll see my 4x great gr. father in a blue bonnet with a dimple in his chin!!Isnt it great to see history coming to life?
Actually had a great day today following James further back at the new library at Newcastle.He was born 1762 in Tanfield have now got back to his father and possibly grandfather back in the early 1600's.No more keelmen, unfortunately, but still great fun!!!
maureen in Durham