Topic starter
07/09/2009 1:22 am
My third great grandfather, William Westerfield, was born in Kentucky. He was supposed to be a capt. on a riverboat, however, we all know how things can be inflated over years. He married Elizabeth Caroline Wood, from Mobile, AL and they lived in Helena, AR. He lived from 1810/1820 until Sept., 1848. Elizabeth lived many years and related to her grandson, Lew Westerfield that William's family lived in Kentucky and that they went to visit them by going up the Mississippi. It seems that Helena, AR is half way between Mobile and Kentucky. I've been to the museum in Helena and there are no records.
Is there any way to find out if he did work on the river and in what capacity? Any help will be greatly appreciated. By the way, steamboats.org is nothing less than fasinating!!
07/09/2009 3:14 am
Library resources
Check with the Mercantile Library at the U of Missouri St. Louis - the Herman Pott Collection. They have compiled lists of licenses issued. Also check the Inland Rivers Library at the Hamilton County/Cincinnati Library for such records.
Topic starter
07/09/2009 10:23 pm
William Westerfield
Thank you, Judy, for the clues as to where to look!! Mickie
Topic starter
08/09/2009 12:15 am
William Westerfield
Judy, I've looked at the U of Missouri and Inland Rivers Library, and there seems to not have been licenses recorded before 1848, when William Westerfield lived. Can you think of any other way to find out about his possible activity on the Mississippi? Thanks!
24/09/2009 4:45 pm
Mickie
I checked my index of Lloyd's Steamboat directory and Disasters on the Western Waters. no luck and Sander index to 50 years on the Mississippi by Gould no luck. Try looking in Helena news papers or Memphis or New Orleans papers these papers should have adds for Steamboats comings and goings. The Adds often list the master and clerk. He is not liste as owner of capt of a St Louis regestered boat 1846 to 1870. He did not appear in my index of boatmen Captain that appear in St Louis Republican 1817-1833.
Carl
Topic starter
04/12/2009 8:54 pm
Thanks, Carl! I really appreciate your effort. Mickie