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Archiver > COALMINERS > 2001-09 > 0999877980


From: "Dave Dudley" <>
Subject: [C-M] South Staffordshire 1891 Cencus Project
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2001 11:53:00 -0400


Coalminers List Members,

The In-Cens South staffs 1891 census transcription Project is now getting under way and I'm writing to you as the Area coordinator to solicit help in getting a few more people to volunteer to help with the Transcription of South Staffs (Black country mining) area census documents.
The 1891 census South Staffs Area in total has is contained in almost 100 Microfiche
pieces (about 700,000 people) including the Blackcountry.(My maternal relatives where coal mining families in the Wednesfield and Essington areas).
Transcription is now underway, with the first group of Transcribers starting in August. but we now need to more helpers to keep the project rolling.and to get the South Staffs Census on line by the middle of 2002.
I'm also a transcriber, my first piece being St Thomas B'ham (city center)where I was born and raised. Although it requires devoting some hours each week I've found it fascinating to see how people lived, worked and migrated in the late Victorian Era. Large families ( plus Lodgers) squashed into Back houses, elderly folk in cottages, Immigrant Tailors and jewelers from Poland with their brummy born children,Canal barge crews from Gloucester, Workers in all sorts of trades (Saddlers, Brass moulders and polishers, Bicycle Machinists,Shopkeepers and Publicans etc),and of course occasionally coming across familiar Family names from my parents and grand parents records and my own memories of growing up in Brum..
It gives you a wonderful insight into the "lifestyles of the people of that era."

You may have seen previous publicity about the FreeCEN project - the Internet-based 'free-to-view' project that will enable researchers to view details of UK Censuses between the years 1841 and 1891, especially the ability to search by surname across census years and counties. I am sure that you will agree that to have this facility is an important step. In particular, it will considerably help researchers that cannot visit the U.K., or even those in the U.K. who find difficulty in traveling.

Great progress has been made for the counties of Devon and Cornwall already, and these should be on-line for viewing by this year (2001). Other counties, including south Staffordshire have already started. However, to put all those details "on line" does require a lot more effort. Even if you can only afford a few hours per week, please seriously consider offering your help as transcriber and/or checker. Free software, procedures and all kinds of help are available.all you'll need is a Microfiche reader, your PC and your imagination and time. Please take a look at an overall view of the project at the Project webpage...... http://freecen.rootsweb.com/

As South staffs county co-ordinator, I am currently looking for volunteers to help transcribe the Mining towns of the Blackcountry. We have a project website at http://dcdudley.tripod.ca/ where you can see detailed listing of the microfiche pieces, and their status.

So please come forward and volunteer your help on this important project, whether for the"Blackcountry"area or for any other district of interest to you. If you are a member of a FHS or Local History Society, perhaps you could help further the success of this project by seeking the help of other members?

It will also give you a wonderful insight into the "lifestyles of the Mining Towns and families of that era.".

If you have questions to ask please drop me a line. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards Dave Dudley
South Staffs Project coordinator.




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