Mines Of Holywell,Flintshire

[johnupatree]

Hi Kimberley,

The DARNELL family I am tracing is from Lincolnshire and as far as I know there is no Australia connection, unless it is further back than I have got so far!
My Australian interests are in the SMYTH and HAIGH families, but they are pretty well sorted now, thanks.
Best wishes

John

[Eldon]

Having lived near Holywell during my school years,the answer is almost certainly lead mining. The outskirts in the Milwr, Brynford and particutaly Halkyn there are hundreds of  old lead mines, some of which are linked by underground tunnels.

[tick_tock]

in 1840 to 1881 I have some relations who were coal miners or coal hewers (whats a hewer?). They lived in Holywell and St. Helens.

Sankey Brook  is one of the names I have. I have tried a few links on this topic and not got anywhere. Is there any way of finding lists of miners or any sites linked to pit disasters. What would have been the nearest coal mine near holywell / bagillt as halkyn would have been too far to walk (and even holywell from the bagillt area?

Any ideas?

[AK]

Have read the earlier pieces with interest. Spent many hours walking in this area and lived near to Mold at one time.

There were coal mines in Bagillt which is close to Greenfield, Holywell. Also, coal mines in Mold last century. There were riots there at one point and a running battle between miners and police. These occurred in 1869 and details can be found on several web sites.

Another coal mining area is at Point of Ayr/Gronant up the coast.

Halkyn is quite a way from Greenfield but had extensive lead mines. These were owned by the Grosvenor family (Duke of Westminster).

Have you seen www.cpat.org.uk/projects/longer/mines/102917.htm it is worth a look.

Areas around Mold and Holywell were a hive of mining activity in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are many books on these and an enquiry of the Wales Archives should give you some titles to go on.


As another said there were mines in Greenfield itself and these are part of the Heritage centre now.

AK

[Pennant]

I realise this is a very old post  , but I have just joined. My ggg grandfather William Lloyd (born 1811) was living in Holywell in the 1851 census and was listed as a lead miner. Unfortunately, these links are now broken, so that doesn't help. Does anybody know about any lead mines?

[SMJ]

There is a website available at http://www.hendrecoed.org.uk/Wilkinson/ui/site.html which allows a search for all mines in a specific area.

Just enter Flintshire as the county and Holywell as the parish. Over 100 mines listed and you will have to eliminate those of no interest by date and type, but it's a start.

[Pennant]

Thank you very much for that. 

Added:
In the 1841 Census, he and his family lived in Pwll Clai and I found a Pwll Clai mine. It may be just coincidence, but it is something to look at. Thanks again.

[SMJ]

I don't know how your Welsh is but Pwll Clai simply translates as Clay Pool.

[Pennant]

I don't know how your Welsh is but Pwll Clai simply translates as Clay Pool.

My Welsh is reasonably good. What I didn't know before I checked it out earlier thanks to your link, was that Pwll Clai was a hamlet near several lead mines, one of which was the eponymous Pwll Clai. So thanks again for your help.