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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Nottinghamshire => Topic started by: vapcq45 on Monday 30 December 19 02:43 GMT (UK)
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Does anyone know if there is a central UK record of mining accidents?
Between 1865 and 1891 my ancestor, Thomas Watson b Nottinghamshire around 1851 lost an arm. Just trying to find out at which colliery. I’ve tried BNA but can’t find anything.
Thank you!
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If you have found him in the censuses you should be able to suggest some local mines to search - or did he move around Nottinghamshire?
Have you tried a general internet search for mining registers?
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Found this, plus Ancestry and F M P appear to have some records.
https://open.conted.ox.ac.uk/resources/link/coalmining-history-resource-centre
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Thank you Chempat! I've found 'a' Thomas Watson in the 1871 census, a Coal Miner, Boarder, in Sherburn Hill, Pittington, where there are some mines but I've not been able to confirm this is him yet. There are some collieries in this area but not found accident records yet.
Thank you very much for the link which I will enjoy exploring today.
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As he was your ancestor - any information about the relevant child?
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If you can narrow down the time frame a bit more, and if he was living in Durham in 1871, and if you can find him in each census to get an idea of his movements, you may be able to find a disaster here:
http://www.dmm.org.uk/names/index_18.htm
Of course if you don’t know if he was involved in a mining disaster with other deaths and casualties (which you may find in the above database), or if he alone was involved in a workplace accident, then if so it is unlikely there would be any record of this.
Have you looked at newspapers of the time?
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. . . or if he alone was involved in a workplace accident, then if so it is unlikely there would be any record of this.
Have you looked at newspapers of the time?
My g'uncle was the sole victim of a mining accident in Westleigh, Lancashire and I found his name included in the 'coalmining-history-resource-centre' records before they were acquired by A*y, I don't know if A*y have transfered the complete records to their website. (I no longer have a subscription.)
The accident and subsequent inquest were reported in the local press and are on microfilm at the local history centre/Archives.
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Thank you Macwill, Ruski and Chempat, I will look at the links you suggest. I knew it was a long shot as I have no birth/sibling/child info for him prior to 1891, after which he is in London, married, working as a one-armed barrel organ grinder! Interesting.
I've tried the papers, but as yous ay, as it was an accident, and possibly a common one, it may not have been recorded.
If I find out, I will post to let you know. Thanks for your help!
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I found this site:
http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/menu.htm
Might be worth a look.
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What was the name of his wife, and where was she from?
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His wife was Bridget Ware who married Martin Loftus, who died and she had daughter by Thomas Watson in 1887 then they married in 1890. He was an Ag Lab from Nottinghamshire, then Lab and on his stepson’s admission papers into Gordons Boys Home states lost arm in colliery accident and now an itinerant musician. Bridget was b Shrewsbury in 1849 and lived in Stourbridge before moving to London with Thomas. Her parents Anthony Ware and Bridget Burke were born in Ireland.
Thanks for link Garibaldired, looks very interesting.
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In 1891 he was a Farm Labourer on the census - had he lost his arm by then?
He is also a general labourer in 1901, so when does he do his organ grinding?
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His wife was Bridget Ware who married Martin Loftus, who died and she had daughter by Thomas Watson in 1887 then they married in 1890. He was an Ag Lab from Nottinghamshire, then Lab and on his stepson’s admission papers into Gordons Boys Home states lost arm in colliery accident and now an itinerant musician. Bridget was b Shrewsbury in 1849 and lived in Stourbridge before moving to London with Thomas. Her parents Anthony Ware and Bridget Burke were born in Ireland.
Marriage of Bridget to Thomas was in 1900, St Geo. H Sq.
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In 1911 the marriage is claimed to have been 42 years ago, and there were 13 children, 9 still living. Have you identified them all? Only in 1911 does he claim to be a musician.
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Hi Chempat. Yes all children verified. The Loftus children adopted the Watson surname but my Grandfather John b 1882 in Kidderminster (father was a travelling Hawker) reverted back to Loftus officially in writing when in the Army. They were all very poor. I am only curious about Thomas before he married. He was a batchelor, she a widow. His father called James, a deceased labourer. Hers, Anthony, who was a Rag Gather in his later life.
I will investigate the great links you have all sent me. Thank you.
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I found details of my relative's death on this site .
http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/Fatalities/Alan-Beales-Database.html
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Thank you for the database. I’ll have a good look through. My goodness it brings home what a dangerous job this was. So many dead and injured.