Vicki There was mining in Somerset, in fact the area around Midsomer Norton and Radstock is well known for it. If I remember rightly it was the last area which there were privately owned mines (before Nationalisation). I can remember slag heaps in the area (they may still be there as I have not driven through there recently!). Hope this helps. Ann-Marie Wedmore Somerset Researching MURSELL/MUSSELL - IOW YOUNG - Wiltshire PARDO, SPENCER, STIGGANT, IVEMY - Hampshire ----- Original Message ----- From: Vicki Hails <vhails@froggy.com.au> To: <WESSEX-PLUS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 1:29 AM Subject: [WSX] Somerset Research > I am hoping someone can offer some guidance regarding one of my Somerset > ancestors. > > His name was John COURT and he was born in Somerset some time between > 1820-1830. Whilst all official documentation indicates he was born in > Somerset - a town or parish has never been specified. His likely birthdate > varies, but has been confined to the 10 year time frame above. His death > certificate indicated that his father's name was James. > > John immigrated to Australia c1850 and was always referred to as a miner. > Given we have little else to help concentrate the search to a specific area, > I am hoping that someone could advise the most likely areas for miners to > have originated. > > Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. > > Thanks in advance. > > Vicki. > > > > ==== WESSEX-PLUS Mailing List ==== > Useful introduction to UK genealogy > http://www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html > http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html > > >

Hi Vicki As Ann-Marie says there certainly was quite a bit of mining of various types including coal, lead and copper carried out in various parts of North Somerset. If you haven't done so already, you might like to ask the same question on the Bristol and Somerset List: Bristol_and_Somerset-L-request@rootsweb.com where I am sure I've read items concerning miners in N Somerset and where I have a feeling there are also folk who have mining families. You could also have a look at the B&S list archives at: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl input bristol_and_somerset as name of list and submit query. Then try the word "mining" in say the year 2000 and you should receive some 25 hits. Even if there are no links to your family you may at least get a feel for the areas you need to look at? Regards Paul Portland On Sun, 18 Feb 2001 09:06:32 -0000, you wrote: >Vicki > >There was mining in Somerset, in fact the area around Midsomer Norton and >Radstock is well known for it. If I remember rightly it was the last area >which there were privately owned mines (before Nationalisation). I can >remember slag heaps in the area (they may still be there as I have not >driven through there recently!). > >Hope this helps. > >Ann-Marie >Wedmore > >> I am hoping someone can offer some guidance regarding one of my Somerset >> ancestors. >> >> His name was John COURT and he was born in Somerset some time between >> 1820-1830. Whilst all official documentation indicates he was born in >> Somerset - a town or parish has never been specified. His likely >birthdate >> varies, but has been confined to the 10 year time frame above. His death >> certificate indicated that his father's name was James. >> >> John immigrated to Australia c1850 and was always referred to as a miner. >> Given we have little else to help concentrate the search to a specific >area, >> I am hoping that someone could advise the most likely areas for miners to >> have originated. >> >> Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. >> >> Thanks in advance. >> >> Vicki. >> >> >> >> ==== WESSEX-PLUS Mailing List ==== >> Useful introduction to UK genealogy >> http://www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html >> http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/EmeryPaper.html >> >> >> > > >==== WESSEX-PLUS Mailing List ==== >Looking for an early map of the area in which you are interested? >Then try: >http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.htm > >