Peter
Sorry to say that I disagree on this one
Not with your comments that the list is for discussion on mining issues and
not family history but on the possible value of family history to the
understanding of mines.
I have asked questions on the list about various individuals connected with
mines and have received information about where else they have been involved
giving a wider picture of mining in general. Admittedly this is for the
purpose of improving understanding of mining rather than investigating a
personal family tree.
In order to track down the movements of individuals and mining familys
enlisting the assistance of family history groups and individuals
researching that name can be invaluable. There are people I would like to
research further and (time permitting) I will be trying to find family
history groups who may have already done the research.
eg - The Long family of Wotton Under Edge were involved in Woollen Mills but
also mining in both the Forest of Dean and Bristol Coalfields. I know that
the firm of Long Keeling and Co leased mineral rights in Iron Acton from the
Long family in Rood Ashton (Nr Trowbridge). This Long family were also
involved in Woollen Mills and I have found references to links with the
Somerset Coalfield and possibly Nailsea as well. I am not sure whether
there is any family connection between the two Longs. Somebody must have
researched the respective family trees and have the information which would
clarify a whole host of mining history issues.
Having said this I agree that for the list to degenerate into a source
purely for tracing relatives would be a shame. There is no reason however
why a family history request should become a long discussion and it is
possible for individuals to reply off list with information about the mines
in the area the descendant is interested in. If a reply on list about what
mines were in an area sparks a discussion
(eg " ...X said that the X mine closed in 18XX but I believe it carried on
until 18XX" )
surely this is exactly what the list should be doing.
It should also be remembered that mines where worked and run by individuals
(often generations of the same family) The history of these people is as
much part of the mining heritage as the industrial archaeology and
documentary remains themselves
Hope my view isn't too controversial
David
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