Colliery Workers’ Census Entries

The database traces the occupation and location of individual colliers over the years of censuses when the Neston collieries were open (1841, 1851), and in the following census (1861). A few entries for 1871 have also been included but they are not intended to be a complete record.

The upper part of the table records men working at Neston in 1841 and what happened to them in 1851 and 1861. Additional names are added in 1851 and they are traced in 1861. The lists also record all the men and women who were never recorded in a Neston census as working locally but whose names appear as colliery workers in census records elsewhere and who stated they were born at Neston. This evidences significant migration from the Neston area, especially to Lancashire; many of these individuals must have acquired their skills at Neston although they don’t appear in local records.

With the limited information given in the censuses there is sometimes uncertainty about linking information to a particular individual. Generally, at least three matching criteria have been sought, and/or other potential candidates eliminated, before making a link. However, it should be recognised that some uncertainty inevitably occasionally exists.

The database should be viewed as a living document. As new information comes to light it will be updated periodically.

Abbreviations:

• CM – coal miner

• Coll. – collier (or colliery)

• FMP – ‘findmypast’ website

• GN – Great Neston

• La. – Lancashire

• LN – Little Neston

• NH - Ness Holt

• St. – Staffordshire

Background Colour Key

• Green – in Neston area census return(s) in one or more census years; included in Colliery Worker Database 1759-1855.

• Yellow – not traced

• Blue – in census returns other than Neston area