Thank you to all on the list, now I understand, I couldnt see why 'road' but thanks to Jack it makes sense. these old professions are quite fascinating Thank you so much Aileen   Nobody ever climbed a mountain by saying   'I can't' ----- Original Message ----- From: Jack Richards <irene@richardsbygonetimes.co.uk> To: ann <rosableu08@yahoo.co.uk>; derbysgen@rootsweb.com Cc: Sent: Friday, 30 November 2012, 17:16 Subject: Re: [DBY] occupation help Ann When trying to get an idea of a roadway underground, first think of a railway tunnel with or without the train lines, with or without lights. That gives you the picture of a roadway underground in a coal mine. Some roadways close to the "pit bottom"  where the cage  "lift as in a shop" would descend to.  The roadways here will most likely have been lit up but say half a mile, maybe less to the coal faces would not always be lit. A roadman would be an undergound worker who was employed on these roads (tunnels) - there are so many jobs he could have been doing - he could have been with others taking supplies of wooden pit props to the coal face, he could have been keeping the roadways clear / clean, maintenance  - Hope this gives you an idea. You may find more articulate answers elsewhere but this is my explanation that many years ago was within my knowledge. He would be paid as a day worker -day wage - not as a contractor and would be considerably less monies than a man working on the coal face or other more physically demanding jobs underground. I realise that a roadman covers many other aspects of work underground but hopefully I have given you an idea of the type of work - 1911 Mansfield - there would have been pit ponies pulling tubs empty or full of coal, spillages, ! Regards