Hi, I just located an ancestral family (that of Robert BROWN) in the 1851 census of Newbattle. He and three of his sons were coal miners (youngest, 12), and the family was residing at 37 Stobhill. Based on the birthplaces of his children, the family moved frequently. I've recorded below the birthplaces and approximate years of birth (based upon ages at time of census) of Robert and family. I'm hopeful that someone can tell me if there were coal mines in each of these areas and, if so, what factors may have motivated frequent moves. Also wondering if 37 Stobhill in Newbattle would have been a house owned by a mining company. Robert, born Liberton, age 47, born c. 1804, coal miner Janet (wife), born Lasswade, age 46, born c. 1805 Margaret (dau), born Cockpen, age 19, born c. 1832 John (son), born Inveresk, age 17, born c. 1834, coal miner Alexander (son), born Newbattle, age 14, born c. 1837, coal miner William (son), born Cranston, age 12, born c. 1839, coal miner Janet (dau), born West Calder, age 9, born c. 1842 Lawson (dau), born Borthwick, age 7, born c. 1844 Elspath (dau), born Whitburn, age 5, born c. 1846 Thank you for your help. Best wishes, Sue Lister