Author Topic: Long shot - colliery accident  (Read 1295 times)

Offline vapcq45

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Long shot - colliery accident
« on: Monday 30 December 19 02:43 GMT (UK) »
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!

Offline chempat

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #1 on: Monday 30 December 19 07:33 GMT (UK) »
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?

Offline chempat

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #2 on: Monday 30 December 19 07:35 GMT (UK) »
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

Offline vapcq45

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #3 on: Monday 30 December 19 08:42 GMT (UK) »
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.


Offline chempat

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #4 on: Monday 30 December 19 08:50 GMT (UK) »
As he was your ancestor - any information about the relevant child?

Offline Ruskie

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #5 on: Monday 30 December 19 10:58 GMT (UK) »
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?

Offline macwil

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #6 on: Monday 30 December 19 11:31 GMT (UK) »
. . . 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.
Active links are now (after 13/04/2018) indicated by bold red italics. Just click on them.
The only stupid question is the one not asked

WILSON; Lancs, Lanrks.
BERRY; Lancs.
BORASTON; Salop, Worcs,
TYLER; Salop, Herefords.

Offline vapcq45

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #7 on: Monday 30 December 19 11:56 GMT (UK) »
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!

Offline garibaldired

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Re: Long shot - colliery accident
« Reply #8 on: Monday 30 December 19 18:29 GMT (UK) »
I found this site:

http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/menu.htm


Might be worth a look.