Miner Ancestors

Some Resources on Mining Ancestors

David Tonks, My Ancestor was a Coalminer, Society of Genealogists’ Enterprises Ltd, 2003 ISBN: 1903462711


Coal Mining Records in the National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=97&j=1

Among other matters, this includes records of Mines Inspectorates, Labour Relations and Disputes, Health and Safety, Accidents, and Miners’ Welfare. Information about individual collieries and mining companies are more likely to be found in Local Record offices than the National Archives

National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, WF4  4RH Website: www.ncm.org.uk. Click on ‘Museum Collection’ and then ‘Library.’ Over 5,000 books on mining history are collected here.

British Mining Database, www.shropshiremines.org.uk/bmd/index/htm. Among other facilities this lists mining societies, mining museums and ‘where to look for documents’. There is also a Mining History Noticeboard where you can post queries about mines.

Scottish Mining Museum,  Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, Midlothian, EH22 4QN www.scottishminingmuseum.com

Big Pit: National Mining Museum of Wales, Blaenafon, Torfaen, Newport, NP4 9XP

www.walesunderground.org.uk/pit/history.shtml

Durham Mining Museum, www.dmm.org.uk, This provides some general information for family historians wishing to trace ancestors who were miners.

Coal Mining History Resource Centre, www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. This includes the National Database of Mining Deaths and Injuries