Coal Mining was the major employer of ancestors up until after the Second World War. Even if an ancestor was not actually hewing coal there were a myriad of other jobs that could be had in a coal mine.
Jobs
This is a brief synopsis of coal mining jobs done by the various ancestors. For a more comprehensive list see Durham Mining Museum.
- Dataler: underground worker paid by the day
- Hewer: cut the coal from its natural situation
- Horse Keeper: looked after horses at the colliery
- Under Viewer or Under Looker: looked after an area of a mine underground
- Viewer: manager of the mine
Norman And Marian Barton Family Tree 