I have recently been in contact with Lynne Mayers, who wrote the excellent book 'Bal Maidens' (being about girls and young women employed in Cornish mines c. 19th century). She writes: I have been researching and writing about the women and girls who worked at the mines in Cornwall and West Devon (bal maidens) for about 15 years now, and I wonder if you are aware of our website www.balmaiden.co.uk<http://www.balmaiden.co.uk>. ? It includes a free searchable database of about 30,000 named bal maidens – information taken from census and parish records, mine cost books, inquests, newspaper reports etc. It might be of interest for anyone who has Cornish ancestors who went over to NZ to the goldfields. I also would be very glad to hear of anyone who has a bal maiden as an ancestor, along with her story – as it is very hard to trace people from this end. I am always very dependent on family historians at their destination, to provide information. (Lynne's email address is [email protected]) regards, Dave Wilton