I was wondering if any could advise me about the best way to find history on a mine that isn't listed in the database please. Would the public records office or the land registry be able to help if I cant find any info on the internet or in the library? Thanks 🙂

Try the "local" PRO first, any particular area in mind, you dont have to be specific about the mine, also what was mined as this has a bearing on where records might be kept.

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The relevant county record office is always a good place to start but how much you are likely to find out depends on when it was working, who worked it and what it was mining.

Bear in mind too that sometimes records end up wherever the company HQ was rather than in the local county for the mine.

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Thanks, I'll try the records office. Its not a particualr mine, but I was curious how one would find ifo because I was looking at my OS maps last night and there are loads iof disused mines (probably coal I imagine) in mid and north Northumberland, right out in the wilds and it would nice to find any history such as who worked them and when.

I think a lot though may have been very small bell pits etc so maybe there is no record of them but there are a few I have noticed, judging from satellite images that seem to have been bigger operations.

Have you tried Woodhorn? I know my mother has used their archives albeit for already quite well documented collieries.

Any mine or area may have already been the subject of some research and published work. However, any historian or researcher can make errors, something to remember.

There is also the British Geological Survey memoirs. South west England: Dines, northern England: Sir Kingsley Dunham etc.

The National Archives have a lot of company records, I struck gold there with my research on Talybont. You can search their database on line, plus a national database (a2a)that covers other establishments.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ 

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ 

For individuals, you can search and download the national census records. These have been digitalised by the Mormon Church for which I praise them. The charges are reasonable and at www.ancestry.com

There is also what can be called "local knowledge" but beware of old wives tales, gross exaggerations, and wind ups. Sometimes however you can strike gold, such as turning up old photographs and documents or mine plans.

Wales has the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth, there is quite a bit of stuff there.

Finally, and possibly the most important, is the Mining Journal. This publication started in 1835 and is still published today. It has a wealth of information on the 19th century mines and mining companies and has become the backbone of contemporary research. However, be advised that after about 1882 it mainly deals with foreign mining.
Most major libraries have it on microfilm; however the problem is finding what you want. The Northern Institute of Mining and Metallurgy have an on line index, however, I will put my head well over the parapet here and say explicitly that it is virtually useless.
The esteemed mining historian, and I am very proud to say good personal friend, Mr George W Hall compiled what may arguably be the best and most complete index to the mining journal that I personally know of. This work took a lot of his time in the 1970s and is hand written in little notebooks. There is shortly to be published, possible on disk, and index to Wales and Shropshire compiled by Mr Robert Ireland of the Welsh Mines Society. It is from Georges notes; however, I do not have a date for this.
It is also remotely possible that some time in the future a complete online version of the MJ may be available with images opening from hyperlinks or similar. I dreamt this one night after drinking too much XXXX, and I also once saw it in some tealeaves.

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That's a very helpful summary Roy
:thumbsup:


The Northumberland Record Office is now at Woodhorn Colliery, they do require you to have bring with you a couple of forms of ID to use their facility, check with them before you go what is acceptable as they are quite picky and wont let you in unless you have what they require.
Visitor information here
http://pscm.northumberland.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=106,54411&_dad=portal92&_schema=PORTAL92&pid=90042 

For later stuff Abandonment plans can be a useful starting point. Any mine closed after 1872 was required to file one, the plan itself is obviously interesting but might also indicate who was working it which gives you another clue as to where to look next.
Have fun .

I would also say treat information you find on the internet with a bit of scepticism, there is alot of good research here but there's more than a bit of rubbish too 😉 More so than with books, though there are errors there too.

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As well as searching at the relevant County Record Office in which county the mine is located, Local Studies Libraries are another important source of information - newspaper archives on film or fiche, and census records are amongst records one can view there for a free search - the 1881 census is free on Ancestry.com. the rest one has to pay for. Remember records can also be found in other counties that border the county one is searching. For example in my home county of Derbyshire, there are large deposits of leadmining records at the Derbyshire Record Office from many sources (go online and look at your local Record Office's website to see if they have put online what is available). The Derbyshire Local Study Library at Matlock and not the DRO, however, has the Woolley manuscripts index records containing many references to lead mines. Derby Local Study Library has other mine documents and a good collection of Newspaper archives (a while ago the Gale, Pennsylvania website was offering a free search of the 19th Century British Library Newspapers online, now sadly closed, however, if you are a student you should be able to access this valuable source of information). Other Derbyshire leadmining documents are found at the Record Office at Sheffield (over the border),also the John Rycliffe library at Manchester, finally don't forget the Public Record Office online. These are just a few examples of where to search, remember though it is always advisable to phone in advance and make an appointment for a visit wherever you go, so that you can book a machine and not be disappointed, especially if you have travelled a distance. If it's your first visit you must take proof of identity with you, also no pens, only pencil for note taking. At Matlock one has to leave all bags, coats etc in a lockable locker in the foyer. Different rules apply at different record offices and again these can be checked in advance when booking an appointment.

As well as old documents and newspaper references, if you're lucky and find an article written about the mine you're interested in, look at the reference sources at the rear of the article which will then lead you onto more information i.e. maps, records, articles, books, journals etc and where to locate them.

It gets very interesting and time consuming I might add.

Just a bit extra worth adding.
National Archives do a 'top 10 sheets' by email for about £8 although this is very hit or miss, unless of course the company records only number 10!
They also let you photograph with digital camera, but no flash. Very strict on other things, such as document handling and use of say a pencil sharpener which you have to go downstairs to use.

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This website might be useful:
http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/site/home/ 

Chris.

Thanks everyone thats all a fantastic help! Roy those links you provided sound great, I will have a look now. And I didn't realise Woodhorn held records even though I have been to visit the place. I just live down the road from there too so will pay them a visit.

I appreciate all the info folks :thumbsup: