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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: Linna on Saturday 13 May 17 15:45 BST (UK)

Title: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: Linna on Saturday 13 May 17 15:45 BST (UK)
I was reviewing a 1939 register entry for one of my ancestors and came across an occupation I cannot decipher. I have been on the Durham and Welsh sites recommended by others in this forum but can't find the occupation.
I have attached an image and hope that someone can enlighten me.

1939 Register reference is 7324J-009 XJGY line 39 for Albert Jay.

Thanks
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: Rena on Saturday 13 May 17 16:17 BST (UK)
Somebody will probably come along with exactly the right answer but I can only distinguish two words with certainty.

"Colliery" --- "Boy"

Young boys did a myriad of jobs; if the last letter was an "r", I could see the middle word as "Sorter" = Colliery Sorter Boy.   I haven't the foggiest notion of what needs sorting down a mine, but have found an old occupation list.

*pick sorter
    sorts blunt from sharp picks and other tools at pit bottom and distributes them to colliers; or places them in numbered holes ready for colliers.

http://doot.spub.co.uk/code.php?value=047
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: tonepad on Saturday 13 May 17 16:20 BST (UK)
Is it a poor spelling of:

Colliery errand boy
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: JenB on Saturday 13 May 17 16:21 BST (UK)
It's colliery screen boy.

This coal was passed over a 'screen' through which the small pieces and other detritus fell, leaving only the larger pieces of coal. This job was often done by young boys.
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 13 May 17 16:58 BST (UK)
A screen boy picked out dirt (stone or other impurity) from the coal as it passed on the picking belts. The coal did not pass over a "screen". See Horden Collieries Ltd. Screens - Blackhall at http://ppparchive.durham.gov.uk/photos/picviewer.asp?next=25 

Stan
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: JenB on Saturday 13 May 17 17:02 BST (UK)
Quote from: stanmapstone on Saturday 13 May 17 16:58 BST (UK)
The coal did not pass over a "screen".

Thank you for putting me right  :-X
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 13 May 17 17:07 BST (UK)
You can see Screen Boys at an earlier time at http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Clifton/Screens.jpg

Stan
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: radstockjeff on Saturday 13 May 17 17:11 BST (UK)
Could it be "colliery bottom" boy?
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: radstockjeff on Saturday 13 May 17 18:30 BST (UK)
May be another name for a trapper - a young boy who would be employed at the air doors, opening and closing to allow the passage of tubs to and from the face.
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: tonepad on Saturday 13 May 17 18:43 BST (UK)
I can now see:

Colliery Screen Boy
Title: Re: Coal Mining Occupation
Post by: Linna on Saturday 13 May 17 18:49 BST (UK)
 ;D
Thanks to all of you who took the trouble to reply.

Having looked through the suggestions I believe that the puzzling word in the middle is "screen". checking the other writing on the same register page I could decipher the S and now looking closely I can see an r and at least one e.

Thanks for your help and for letting me know what a screen boy was. I've noted the URLs for future use.