Records of Employment for New Cumnock Coal Mine

[vicky19]

Hi an elderly friend of my Dad's has asked me to try and find out some more information about his father. Him and his brother are trying to find out if the story they were told was true about their father working at the coal mine in New Cumnock in East Ayrshire. Ive had a quick look at Scotlands People but cant find anything there about mining. Is there a national mining central point for information in Scotland? Or an Archives in Ayrshire I can contact to ask for him? His Dad was born in Kilmarnock in 1905 and apparently also attended the Camborne School of mines in Cornwall so Im going to try and contact the archives in Cornwall for any information from them. Thanks Vicky

[vicky19]

I believe the mine at New Cumnock is the Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery.

[GR2]

Have you found him on the 1921 census?

[vicky19]

Ill ask him, he's just asked me about these specific things as he's done most of the research on the easily found things like census.

[vicky19]

Ive checked and the family were in Barrow in Furness in 1921.

[GR2]

If you are wondering if he worked at a mine in New Cumnock before leaving for England, there is a very short window between him reaching school leaving  age at 14 (13 1/3 if he had an exemption) and appearing in England in 1921.

If the family is in Ayrshire in the 1911 census, then it would be possible to use the valuation rolls to find out if they were still there in 1915 and 1920. It might also be worth checking to see if he or his father appear in the newspapers.

[David Nicoll]

Vicky,

Hi, not sure what is preserved, but the National Mining Museum may be able to advise.

https://nationalminingmuseum.com/

[Rena]

When I was researching Scottish coal mines, I used this website:-

http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/377.html

[vicky19]

Thanks David Ive contacted someone there, hes going to look for me.

Thanks Rena Ill have a look