Net, Thanks you for your insights. In the way of further explanation, this particular miner's wife had been a widow for 16 years at the time of the census in question and she lived for another 19 years. I am curious as to why when she had a large family most of whom were living in the NBL/Co Durham area, with the exception of one descendent who emigrated with family to America, this widow lived independently. With the exception of one census year, this widow was not enumerated in any household other than her own. Perhaps her independent spirit made her the survivor that she was, living to the ripe age of 87 years. Best wishes, Bette > Hi Bette > > Many of the larger pits ran their own assistance programme that miners > paid > into from their weekly pay. As accidents were so frequent and there were > periods when the miners were unable to work due to physical injury or > bronchial illness these were a lifeline to the miner's families. > > Regards > > Net