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  The Elizabeth Marine Ways is located in Elizabeth, PA along the Monongahela River. The work performed at the Ways during the early part of the 20th century was related to the river boat industry, in particular to the building and repairing of steamboats. My great grandfather, John William Lynch, worked there from 1898 until his retirement in 1925, starting  as a general laborer and ending as superintendent.  JW kept a journal during his lifetime with entries which began in 1869 and ended in 1948, just weeks prior to his death. 

  JW continued to record his daily activities after his retirement from the Marine Ways in 1925 as he made entries into 1948.  He included the names of numerous citizens of the Elizabeth, PA area in his journal. He wrote in his journal during March 1925 the following:  "The Deaths of People I have known well or have been around and with through my life follows at intervals in this Diary. "  I have included the names of these individuals on the page titled  "Name Directory."   You can use the Search function on the Home Page or Name Directory Page to see if your ancestor is named. 

  The Photograph Chapter contains hundreds of photographs taken during JW's lifetime with an emphasis on the early part of the 20th century.  Photos include Elizabeth, PA, the Elizabeth Marine Ways, Locks and Dams along Western Pa Rivers, Small Towns Views along the Rivers, Small Town Bridges in Western PA, Pittsburgh Views and Pittsburgh Bridges and of course Riverboats, some of which you are able to hear their whistle.  Additional photographs are added continuously.  

Photos Needed is a page that lists Riverboats, Pump Boats, Model Barges, and other craft that I am searching for photographs of, your help is appreciated.

Enjoy !    

Search this site to look up Surnames and Riverboats that JW may have written about in his journal. I suggest when searching for Surnames that you search for the surname (last name) only.  When searching for a specific Riverboat I would suggest putting in only the name of the boat, do not use a prefix such as "Steamboat".

This site was last updated on 07/20/08      

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