Genealogy Chat

Some of my folk moved to South Wales from Herefordshire between 1881 and 1891 to work in the coal mines.....Is it possible to find out which mine? ..I have found them in 1891 and 1901 census, so presumably the mine would be nearby.

Hi Gwyneth Although I cannot answer your question directly, my family moved from Bredwardine in Herefordshire, where they had always been the village wheelwrights to South Wales to work in the collieries in about 1895. I imagine that they would have worked to walk and that they would have lived in accommodation built specifically for the mine workers. If you have their address you may be able to work out which colliery was closest. I think that incentives may have been offered to entice workers to the newly industrialised areas but have not researched this further yet. The South Fields Coalfield Collection website may help.www.swan.ac.uk/swcc I would be interested in finding out where your family lived before they migrated to see if there are any similarities with mine. Good Luck, Helen

Gwyneth, I'm by no means an expert but my Father was a S.Wales coalminer. Where did your relatives live?. Most of the 'valleys' had one or maybe two mines - you could narrow your search that way. I doubt, though, that you will find any records. M. Steer

try the following and follow the links http://www.dmm.org.uk/mindex.htm

Thank you for your replies. Ed That is a great site. I've just had a quick dip in, so far....There is so much to read and see there. Thank you for the link. My folk lived in a rural area, their families working the land in Ullingswick, north east of Hereford and then some moved across to Madley, Herefordshire. It was the 2 eldest sons, who moved to Wales and I've presumed that there was not enough work and money on the farm to support all the many children. The 2 brothers and their families shared a house in Llangeinor in 1891. By 1901 the younger brother and family had returned to Herefordshire, the other was with his family in Blaengarw. Gwyn

Gwyneth, This should interest you www.diggingupthepast.org.uk M. Steer

Thank you so much for that link, Margaret. I just had a quick peep.There is so much. Will look fully later. I wonder if I will recognise any family.? Gwyn

Gwyneth, just a quick P.S. I didn't realise before that the Garw colliery was also know as the Ocean. My Father and/or Grandfather worked in that pit. M. Steer

Hi Gwyneth Try googling your rellies name address year and 'mines' or 'mining' I did and found a record of a pit disaster he and his son's were involved in that I previously knew nothing about (although I was able to name the pit but it was a guess) You just never know Good luck Helena

The links to all the sites are most useful. No Google success....don't think I should try Grandad DAVIES ! but I have plenty of other things now to help me understand their lives a little better. Thank you everyone. Gwyn