The following are various resources, indexes etc to aid you in your studies.
All Mining
Mining History Database
An index of sources for mining history running to over 76,000 entries, compiled by the late Alasdair Neill. Please note that mine locations are given as they were when recorded and some will now be in another county owing to later boundary revisions. There is also a list of the sources that he used.
Index to NMRS publications & newsletters
Also compiled by the late Alasdair Neill, an index to 95% of NMRS publications & newsletters up to 2016.
Coal Mining
Accidents & Disasters – mainly coal related
Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.
UK Deaths & Accidents database
A fully searchable database of UK Deaths & Accidents from 1500-1991, however only the section from 1900-1991 is currently complete. This database was compiled from data supplied mainly by Ian Winstanley, with additions from Ray Lawrence, NMRS records and others. Mainly coal, but some metal mining and quarry incidents are included.
Britain’s Nationalised Coal Mines from 1947
This database is a ‘lite’ version of one developed as a research tool for NMRS by Mike Gill, its Recorder. It is based on a National Coal Board Statistical Department listing of mines taken into state control on Vesting Day, January 1st 1947, and does not include the smaller mines of coal and/or clay which remained in private hands. Like the database of Mines of coal and other stratified minerals in Yorkshire from 1854, it seeks to establish a chronology, this time for the decline of the post-war coal industry.
Joint Stock Coal Mining Companies
This database was compiled for the NMRS Records by searching the indexes to Dissolved (joint stock) Companies, at the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) at Kew. The user must be aware that, because they were compiled by searching for certain keywords (i.e. coal, colliery, mine, mining) these listings do not contain those mining companies which used personal names only, for example, Barber, Walker & Co. Ltd.
Mines of coal and other stratified minerals in Yorkshire from 1854
This database is a ‘lite’ version of one developed as a research tool for NMRS by Mike Gill, our Recorder. The area covered is that of the three Ridings of pre-1974 Yorkshire. This means that mines around Todmorden, which is geologically part of the Lancashire coalfield, are included, as are the detached Ingleton coalfield and the various localised, non-Coal Measures coalfields in the Pennines.
Westmorland Collieries
A few collieries in the old county of Westmorland.
Colliery Rules 1855
These rules were printed in the Inspector of Mines Report 1855 and were the blueprint of the rules that were drawn up for the collieries in the Lancashire area. The Mines Inspectors were the instrument that enforced the Mining Legislation and was very concerned with safety. Much of their time was spent going from inquest to inquest into the death and men and boys, that had been killed in the mines in their areas.
Children’s Employment Commission Reports 1842
Reports on the Employment of Children and Young Persons in the Collieries and the Ironworks, mines & quarries etc on the State, Condition and Treatment of such Children and Young Persons.
Metal Mining
Accidents & Disasters – in metaliferrous mines
Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.
Bibliography of Lead Mining in Yorkshire & Lancashire
Books and articles on Lead Mining in Yorkshire & Lancashire, arranged in alphabetical order of the author.
Bibliography of Smelting & Dressing
Books and articles on Smelting & Dressing Ores, arranged in alphabetical order of the author.
Index of Graduates of the Camborne School of Mines 1898-1940
Gives dates and locations of these graduates.
Index to 1778 Mineralogia Cornubiensis
This was a study of the mining world of Cornwall, historical and practical in 1778. It was written by William Pryce (1735-1790), son of Dr Samuel Pryce of Redruth, Cornwall. This index was prepared by Mike Gill in 1991, as part of his general research. For that reason, a few general topics (e.g. Proto-industrialisation), not specifically mentioned in the book, have been added. There is also a link to a digital copy of this book
Index to Kinnaird Commission, Volume 7 – Mining Accidents
The Minutes of Evidence taken before the Commissioners on the Condition of Mines in Great Britain are a useful resource for mining historians, but until now they have lacked an index. In 1991 Mike Gill indexed Volume 7, covering the period between April 1862 and March 1864, as an aid for his own researches. The resulting card index for this volume, which relates to metalliferous mines and those involved in them, has now been digitised and made available to other researchers.
Joint Stock Metalliferous Mining Companies
This database was compiled for the NMRS Records by searching the indexes to Dissolved (joint stock) Companies, at the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) at Kew. The user must be aware that, because they were compiled by searching for certain key words (i.e. mine, mining and smelting) these listings do not contain those mining companies which used personal names only, for example, Barber, Walker & Co. Ltd.
Metalliferous Mines of the Yorkshire Dales
A list of metal mines with dates and comments.
Obituaries of members of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy 1892-1968
At a time when mine management shifted from an empirical to a more academic approach, the Worldwide contribution of British mining graduates from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century is clearly demonstrated. In 1892 leading hard-rock mining professionals formed The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy (IMM) for graduates of British mining schools who were working both throughout the Empire and the rest of the World.
Smelting Mills
An index of smelting mills of the British Isles with dates and brief notes.
Project Grants
As part of its charitable function, the society has been making grants towards mining-related projects for some years now. These grants are made from money accumulated as surpluses arising mostly from sales of publications, gift aid payments from the Inland Revenue and donations.
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