I won't attempt to answer the specifics of your question but... I had an interest in the canal system through Amherst, Nelson etc as one of my ancestors was a lock keeper. I bought a couple of publications of the Virginia Canals & Navigations Society. According to this 2004 publication their home page is www.batteau.org. A point on contact listed is W.E. Trout III, 35 Towana Road, Richmond, Va 23226. Phone listed is 804 288-1334 with an e-mail address [log in to unmask] Hope this is useful. Doug On Thu, Sep 12, 2013 at 9:54 AM, Alice Owens <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hope someone familiar with Virginia canals and locks might be able to > assist me... > > My father who was born in 1904 had a large padlock which I inherited. > This is a rather large lock (much larger than what I think would be used on > a trunk or chain). it has a large key and it locks and opens well. My dad > told me (back in the era when I was not interested in history/genealogy), > that it was used on a canal lock. This lock was one of his "keepers" and > he never used it, just had it set aside. > > I have found in the mid 1800s census where his g-grand pa's occupation was > "boatman" > in Buckingham...and I have seen other kin listed as "canalman" and > although I can't find it, I believe one was listed as a lock-keeper. > > My question to the list - what/how would this padlock have been used in > connection with canal lock? > > PS...my grandson is interested and I have promised it to him...but would > love to add the history along with it. > > Thanks for help and or suggestions. > > Alice in Fluvanna > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions > at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html > -- Douglas Burnett Satellite Beach FL As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Florida State Genealogical Society(FSGS) and the Virginia Genealogical Society(VGS), I support and adhere to the APG's Code of Ethics. To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html