Genealogy Chat

National coal mining museum, near wakefield, is worth a visit.... more below

OK so its probably not the first place you'd think of for a day out, but its a fascinating insight into coal mining. You can have an underground tour, and there is also a very good display of what mining was like in 1842. AND ITS TOTALLY FREE no I don't work there, but have been twice in a week. Sunday was quite quiet, but it was pretty busy yesterday (loads of kids, school hols I suppose) They also have a library (not open all the time - check the website) there is some fascinating stuff there. www.ncm.org.uk

There is also Big Pit in South Wales where you can go down the old mine.

My ex hubby took two of mine there (Wakefield one) and they had a whale of a time. They went down the mineshaft and played with the old pit ponies - definitely worth going!!!! Another great freebie if you're in the area is The Armouries in Leeds - fantastic day out, check the events in the outoor arena too, we saw jousting and hawking. The indian elephant armour was superb and my favourite bit. Snowdrops

Thanks Vicky, their library looks good - must get up there one day. My mining rellie was a Wakey alderman or summink as well so I should probably prepare a mission plan for all the places up there like Kippax, Normanton etc! cheers for the site. Have you seen the NUM one too, that has a bit of history? xx Jen

Nearly all mine miners, its just up the road and I've never been. Shame on me. Bob

Well Bob, you could always do penance by helping me! :-)))) Jen

Can I also recommend the Radstock museum for the South somerset coalfield - small but quite interseting. They have a replica of a miners cottage and a mock up of the local co-op. It gives a real flavour of the times.

I recommend a book to read if your ancestors are miners. 'Children of the Dark' by Alan Gallop tells the story of the Huskar Mine disaster at Silkstone, Yorks and also paints a graphic picture of the life of miners in the first half of the 19C. One of the children who died was the step daughter of my gg grandfather. Anne

The Big Pit in South Wales is the mine written about in the books by Richard Llewellyn How Green Was My Valley etc, and the Alexander Cordell books also I believe. It is an incredible experience to go down it, I went some years ago and still get goosebumps when I think of the little kids who had to go down and sit in the dark for hours to open the doors for the coal trolleys to go through.

Hi Vicky, thanks for your mail. Was it there that you found Thomas's interview?

Just googled that Anne ( I was in Silkstone last Saturday, never heard of the disaster ( more shame on me!! ). It seems unbelievable, 8 year old boys AND girls down the pit. There were so many pit disasters Bob

Tom - and anyone else interested - In their library they have a full (print) copy of the 1842 Royal Commission report on the Employment of Children & Young Persons in the Mines. (Their Victorians exhibition is based on it) There are sections covering most of the areas where there was any mining - mostly coal, but small sections on lead, copper, etc. In the 'evidence' section are details of the interviews with people, and in many cases it gives names & ages. So if you are lucky - as I was - you may find a reference to one of your ancestors. I did know where to look as there is another coal mining website that mentions this report, and has lists of some of the names. Though if you read the actual report you can see their actual words, which really brings them to life. the other website is www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder*co.uk (replace * as usual)

All the Harrison side were miners even my dad who is 87 now! but they were coal miners in Durham, im sure the Harrisons owned half of Durham, cos there is plenty of them. The Harrisons give me a headache!