Mine in Altofts, Yorkshire

[nadiawalton]

Hi all

I have a street of coal miners in Altofts in the 1881 census, and was wondering whether there was a mine nearby or whether mining was just a common job in the area?

Is there a list of mines/ databse of mines for that era? I'd love to find the nearest mine to them.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Nadia

[dennford]

Yes there was an Altofts colliery near Normanton, I believe it was originally Pope and Pearsons colliery. It's past my bedtime here in Oz but I shall return to this thread tommorow if I get a chance, there is sure to be more info on it.
                                          Denn

[cep]

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/AboutWakefield/LocalCommunities/Normanton/default.htm


Mining

"The coming of the railways enabled the locally mined coal to be sent across the country, demand soon outstripped supply and many more shafts were sunk to reach the rich coal seams under the town."


"1886 saw disaster at the Silkstone colliery in Altofts, an underground explosion killed 22 men and 53 horses"


http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cmhrc/153.jpg


Regards   CP

[nadiawalton]

Everything seems to be coming together!
Would there be a list of people who died anywhere in record?

Thanks for your help!

[dennford]

"1886 saw disaster at the Silkstone colliery in Altofts, an underground explosion killed 22 men and 53 horses"

Sep,
    Silkstone colliery was south east of Barnsley (nowhere near Altofts) I think it could be meant to be the silkstone seam (a seam of coal that outcrops at or close to Silkstone)that was worked at Altofts.

                                                    Den

[cep]

Database of mining accidents:

http://www.dmm.org.uk/names/d1880-89.htm


02 Oct 1886    YKS     Altofts, Silkstone      Explosion, coal dust, ignition caused by shot firing    20

Unfortunately, the names are not listed for this one.


Regards   CP

[Gadget]

Altofts - got masses of collateral ancestors in that area and Normanton - Stokes, Roberts, etc. They moved there from Willenhall, Staffs and the Wrexham, Denbighshire area in the 1860s -1890s.

Gadget

[tomkin]

Hi Nadia,
               You are quite right Denn, a lot of pits had a Silkstone seam,
so named because it outcropped at Silkstone. Some pits in the
surrounding area also had the name Silkstone attached such as
Hoyland Silkstone pit, Wentworth Silkstone pit. etc.
              Nadia,
                          try this site. www.cmhrc.co.uk
They have extensive lists of accidents and deaths in mining.For a small fee
they will also conduct a search for you.There is also a lot of information
re mining and it's history.

[dennford]

Hi,
     I have been trying to find out wether it was the silkstone seam or silkstone pit but to no avail.
      Nadia when you ask about names of people killed, do you have any names or dates, as there were other collieries in the area.
                                    All the best
                                               Denn