Where do I go from here?

[halfasheep]

One of my cousins (many times removed) was caught in a roof-fall in a mine. Died after he reached the surface, although another of mine (who passed on after foolishly taking a ride in a dram that broke free - scenes of Temple Of Doom if it wasn't so tragic) was certified in the mine by a doctor. Suppose it depends how close to the surface they were working - doubt the doctor would travel to the face of the seam

[Brentor boy]

Thanks, Cardiff and Halfasheep, for the wonderful background details. This is my wife's family and I had heard some snippets but you have made it possible for me to put them into a more complete context.

Rena, I had found the record of Jesse's accident, from which I deduce he was alive when he left the pit. Many thanks for directing my attention to the Compensation Register. I have now submitted an enquiry to the West Glam Archives.

I am now waiting for GRO to do their stuff. Hopefully the death certificate will confirm where, and of what, he died and make the sequence of events a little clearer.

[cardiff]

Hi
Please let us know what he died of  and any other info you think we would like to know
cheers cardiff

[Brentor boy]

I have now received Jesse's death certificate which shows that he died at North Rhondda Colliery from "shock and injuries accidentally sustained by being caught in a coal cutting machine at colliery". No post mortem, inquest held on 13 February 1929. Interestingly his address is shown as 14 Cwmcass(?) Glyncorrwg which could explain why there was no mention of his death/inquest in the Rhondda paper. I am also intrigued why the colliery should have recorded this simply as an "injury"

Can any one tell me if/where newspaper archives are held, possibly containing material relating to this period and location, and if/how I might access them?

[cardiff]

Hi
 How sad I thought it had to be shock! Regarding the accident recorded as injury it would not suprise me that because he did not die at the face it looked better for the pit to recorded as an injury.
His address is interesting also, its funny but relatives have the habit of suprising you with info you were sure could not be right!
I hope someone out there will know  what newspaper there could have been info in.
cheers cardiff

[halfasheep]

Hmm, no idea where Cwmcass is?

Cwm is valley, but Cass?? There are not a lot of streets in Glyncorrwg, but I have no idea how many (if any) have been demolished over the years. I'm doubtful that entire streets have been demolished there as the only real changes to the area have been much further up the same valley (Mountain Biking Centre, ponds). The streets in the valley are all fairly close together as well, so the only part I can think there may have been another street is where some of the 1960's/1970's council-type housing have been built.

May be worth trying to dig out an older map - it shouldn't take much to find it

[Morganllan]

Hello 

You can find Cwm Cas on Old Maps:

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=287500,199200

There is also a river/stream Nant Cwm Cas. There are "Workings", "dismantled railway" and "disused tramway" in the same area on the map, south of the Dunraven Forest.

The local newspaper could be "Neath Guardian" which should be available from Neath Port Talbot Library.

Kind Regards
Morgan

[Brentor boy]

Thanks for your continuing interest and suggestions, particularly Morganllan. Your support and encouragement has helped me see Jesse as real person in a real landscape. Hopefully I will be able to trace reference to him in the newspapers which will add to my knowledge and understanding.

[Morganllan]

You are very welcome 

Here's a pic taken near Cwm Cas Cottages in 1940s:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/inpictures/pages/cymmer_mines.shtml?7

Kind Regards
Morgan