Hi Gina, I was born in Ohio and spent my childhood there. Both my father and grandfather were coal miners. Although I don't have a complete list of the names of the mines where they worked, but there were several of them. They traveled to and from work daily, so the mines had to have been fairly close to Adena. In listing the ones that I remember, keep in mind that sometimes mines, like other places of employment had the names the coal miners gave them them as well as their official names. Some of the names that I remember are: "Witch Hazel", "Sunshine", "Roby", "Piney Fork" and "Hanna Coal Company". There were probably others. Sometimes individual miners would mine some of the coal left behind after a mine had been worked out. My great-grandfather Thomas Ainscough was one who owned a "one-man" mine who sold coal to individual customers in the area of "Long Run" and "Dillonvale". I have only family conversation concerning this mine and it probably had no name other than the owner's name. I remember that during the Great Depression some families, like ours, had to burn "blossom coal", which was the poor quality coal that was close to the surface. Because we couldn't afford to spend much on coal even though my family members were miners, we often gathered coal that fell from the railroad trains as they passed our house. We would take a coal bucket and walk the track picking up lumps of various sizes to bring home to keep the fires burning. It was always a big day--and a hard-work day--when we would get a "load of coal" because the whole family helped to shovel the coal into the "coal house" next to our home. People who had coal "shoots" into their coal bin in their basements were very lucky! :) However, in spite of the hardships, I have only happy memories from childhood. My parents probably suffered the most. Regarding the name of the relative of yours, Margaret Keschkes, she would have been close to the same age of my father. Adena School records might have information about her as well as the church her family may have attended. In such a small town as Adena, most everyone knew one another. The coal miners were especially close and often met after work at "Pete and Mikes" for a beer and fellowship before coming home. I must say, I never saw my father or grandfather and their coal mining friends drunk. I guess they needed the "break" together following work more than they needed a beer. By the way, I believe that Pete and Mike's is still at the same location and at last report was owned and run by a relative of mine. I hope this summer to spend time in Adena interviewing families of some of the coal miners and will attempt to get more up-to-date information of the mines from those who have lived their lives in Adena. I hope that this information helps in some small way. Ed Durbin MICHAEL W HINDS wrote: > > Hi, > > The coal mining discussions have been great. I am looking for > information about Adena. My great grandmother, Margaret Keschkes was > born here Jan. 1907 and I have been unable to find any record. I was > wondering with all the discussion lately if there are any books I > should be looking that have proved helpful to others. I understand my > great great grandfather was also a coal miner in the area, any ideas > which mines would be in close proximity to Adena? > > Also, I'm looking for a map closer to 1907, any suggestions on any of > above would be greatly appreciated. > > Gina Hinds > HINDS1@prodigy.net