1901 census - help with interpretation/coal mining please!

[bel_jon68]

Could anyone please explain the insertion of the word 'below' on the attached census page from 1901?

It's in the column describing occupation, against the 8th person down (Benjamin Preece, 15) and again against the last person listed.

Does it mean 'below ground', as they are both described as coal miner-drawer?  Why are the other coal miners not 'below'?

Any help much appreciated!  If the image is not clear enough, I think the page is RG13/2531/88 p37? (but the enumerator made a right mess of this district, it's full of crossings out!)

Thanks
Bel

[sjsbc]

Hi,

did a google search and came up with this

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/c2.html

Coal Drawer  Moved coal carts in the mine 
Coal Heaver  Unloaded coalmine carts on the surface 

Looks like you are right the drawer was below ground and the heaver above.

Sue

[bel_jon68]

Thank you so much!  I didn't think of using google  as it is an 'old' occupation in that region (Shropshire).  I shall add the webpage you found to my favourites!

I was actually very suprised to find this ancestor worked in the coal mines so it's added another dimension to my research.

Thanks!

Bel