Roberts Roots & Branches

Miners Demonstration at Hanley Birmingham Daily Post, published 2 April 1872 MR. MELLY, M.P., ON THE MINES MEASURES Easter Monday has become a great holiday for the miners of North Staffordshire, who have elected it as the occasion of a demonstration in the shape of processions and an open-air meeting.   This gathering takes place at Hanley, which is central and convenient, and which on this particular day seems to be almost given up to miners, so full of them are the streets of the town.   Everywhere yesterday they appeared either in large bodies or in littleknots (sic) , walking or standing, together with many of their wives and children.   The town was in a bustle all the morning, during which colliers were arriving from different parts of the district.   In some cases they were in strong force, marching in procession, headed with banners and bands of music.   Most of them wore ribbon sashes or rozettes (sic), some blue, some green, some tric...

“The first Monday in September of each year throughout the United States is set apart as a general holiday.   On this day every man who labors lays down his tools and forgets the harassing cares and worries of everyday work and prepares to enjoy himself.   It is so established to fix in the minds of the people the importance of the great democracy call Labor.”     ---Rock Springs Miner, 5 September 1919, page 1.   accessed on Wyoming Newspaper Project at:   http://pluto.wyo.gov/awweb/main.jsp?flag=browse&smd=2&awdid=2

National Miner's Day In honor of our coal mining ancestors; we remember you today! The hours you spent in the dark damp coal mines. . . The dangers you encountered every day. . . The fear you felt as you lost your co-workers. . . The damage to your lungs. . . The minor and yet painful injuries you suffered. . . The physical strength it took you to do your job. . . We honor you and what you have done for us--thank you Roberts coal miners.

 National Miner's Day A resolution was passed in the United States Senate on December 3, 2009  declaring December 6 of every year as National Miner's Day.       In memory of our  coal mining ancestors.           “Coal is part of our heritage – our West Virginia soul – and it’s important that we do everything possible to protect and recognize our miners and coal industry workers.  Our hard-working miners show up to work ever...

“Two major improvements in mining equipment were initiated in Rock Springs before 1900.  In the 1880s the U.P. Coal Company installed the first air-operated cutting and drilling machines in the No. 4 mine.  About 10 years later came the first step in mechanized hauling:  an electric mine locomotive, the first ever built in the United States, went to work in the U.P. No. 7 mine at Rock Springs.  The squat little engine hummed up and down the slope of the mine, tugging trains of loaded cars up and coasting down with empties, except when it took the “man trip,” cars carrying miners.  It was quickly dubbed “Charlie Smith,” for its first driver, and when it was ceremoniously “retired” in 1929, it was inducted into the Union Pacific Coal Company’s Old Timers Association and mounted on a pedestal in front of the Old Timers building.” (1) The Charlie Smith now resides west of the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. “First electric mine locomotive manufacture...

Here are some more websites for England, including, Hanley and Staffordshire: Genuki-Staffordshire, England http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/STS/ The Potteries: http://www.thepotteries.org/six_towns/hanley.htm Staffordshire History: http://www.staffshistory.org.uk/ Wiki-Stoke Upon Trent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke-on-Trent Another fun thing to do is google:   Staffordshire, Pottery images.   http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Homepage.aspx Archives, Family History http://www.staffsnameindexes.org.uk/ Staffordshire Name Indexes http://www.sahs.uk.net/ Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society British History:   http://www.british-history.ac.uk/Default.aspx     This has several articles about coal miners and problems:   Coal Mining North Staffordshire:   http://northstaffsminers.btck.co.uk/NorthStaffsMiningStories Natural Engalnd:   http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/co...