Whilst I have a great deal of sympathy for what Peter says I don't feel
you should damn all family history in this group. I have been using
genealogy resources for some time and finding it very useful in, for
example, sorting out just who was running South Caradon Mine in its
early years. Creating a family tree for some of our mining notables can
be quite illuminating, even if only to expose the nepotism!
What does irritate me is that sort of family historian who just seems to
collect names, without any detail or background. Since I put my name
index to "Mines & Miners of Cornwall" on the web I have had a few such
enquiries. After demanding all you know, they frequently don't have the
courtesy to hit the reply button to say thanks.
And you never know, one of the people to contact this group might
actually be a descendant and have something useful to contribute.
Michael Messenger
In message <200101081225.MAA52820@mercury>, Peter Claughton
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>There has been a rash of 'family history' enquiries on the list of late,
>including one from a member who clearly stated that he had joined the list
>solely for the purpose of gather information about his ancestors. The list
>owners have tolerated the occasional request of this nature although it
>contributes nothing to the study of mining history.
>
>The remit for the list is quite clear - a forum for the discussion of all
>aspects of the history of mining and associated activity, including ore
>preparation, on-site smelting, transport systems, social conditions, etc.
>Individually and collectively the miner had an important role in the history
>of mining. The action of miners are an area for discussion providing a
>positive input to any study. However, a one way enquiry into their
>genealogy provides no such input.
>
>Valid channels for research into the family history of miners exists - for
>example, Ian Winstanley's website, cited in a recent posting - and enquiries
>should be directed towards such channels.
>
>Peter
>
>
>______________________________________________
>
>Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Rosebush, Clynderwen,
>Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
>Tel. 01437 532578; Fax. 01437 532921; Mobile 07831 427599
>
>University of Exeter - Department of History
>School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>Co-owner - mining-history e-mail discussion list.
>See http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/mining-history/ for details.
>
>Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
>
>_____________________________________________
--
Michael Messenger
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