The Cornwall & Devon Mining Directory 1870 - Available as a Digital Download or CD-ROM

Step back into the heart of the Industrial Revolution in the West Country. The Cornwall & Devon Mining Directory for 1870 is an essential cornerstone for any family historian tracing their roots in this rugged, mineral-rich region. Whether your ancestors were mining captains, engine men, surface workers, or investors, this directory provides a vivid snapshot of their lives at the height of the Victorian mining boom.

Bridge the Census Gaps & Overcome Government Distrust

Family historians know the frustration of the "missing" 1871 Census returns or damaged portions of earlier censuses. But there is another reason your ancestor might be missing from the official records: distrust of the government.

Just as we see skepticism toward government data collection today, 19th-century working-class miners were deeply suspicious of enumerators. Many feared that census data would be used to track them for taxation, conscription, or the hated Poor Laws. As a result, many actively refused to fill in the forms or gave false names to enumerators.

If your ancestor "disappeared" during the 1861 or 1871 censuses, there is a very high chance they are listed right here. This directory was a commercial enterprise, not a government mandate, meaning your ancestors were far more likely to be accurately recorded by its publishers.

What’s Inside the Directory?

This meticulously scanned volume is divided into highly useful, easy-to-navigate sections:

• The Alphabetical Directory of Mine Owners, Agents, and Captains: The who’s who of the local mining industry. Find out exactly who managed the pits your ancestors worked in.
• The Alphabetical List of Mines: A comprehensive guide to the hundreds of active mines across Cornwall and Devon in 1870, detailing their specific locations, the lodes they were working, and the minerals extracted (tin, copper, arsenic, lead, and zinc).
• Machinery, Engineering & Supply Index: Discover the engineers, blacksmiths, pump manufacturers, and rope makers who kept the mines running.
• Subscribers & Patrons List: A fascinating look at the wealthy investors—both local and from London—who funded these massive subterranean operations.
• Contemporary Advertisements: A treasure trove of local business details, from grocers to outfitters, giving you a flavor of the local economy.

Cutting-Edge Technology Meets 19th-Century History

While this product consists of scanned images of the original book, we have ensured it pairs perfectly with 21st-century technology to make your research a breeze:

• Naturally Alphabetical: Because the original Victorians organized this alphabetically, scrolling to your desired surname or mine name is fast and intuitive.
• On-the-Fly OCR: Modern PDF readers (like Adobe Acrobat or Edge) now feature built-in Optical Character Recognition. Even though these are images, your software can read the text, allowing you to use "Ctrl+F" to search for specific surnames, street names, or mines instantly.
• Google Lens Integration: Using the built-in Google Lens feature on your web browser, you can highlight tricky 19th-century handwriting or faded print and have it instantly transcribed and translated into modern text.
• Text-to-Speech (Desktop PCs): Tired of straining your eyes? Open this PDF on a desktop PC, click "Read Aloud," and let your computer read the directory to you while you take notes.

The World of Cornwall & Devon in 1870

To understand this directory is to understand the vibrant, dangerous, and culturally rich world your ancestors inhabited.

• Famous Faces: In 1870, this region was home to or the birthplace of engineering giants like Richard Trevithick (born in Illogan, Cornwall) and William West (the "Quaker" engineer of Tavistock, Devon), whose pumping engines kept the mines dry. You will also find the family names of famous literary figures like Daphne du Maurier and Winston Churchill (whose ancestors had deep Cornish roots) scattered throughout the subscriber lists.
• Industry & Fishing: While deep-hard rock mining dominated the landscape, the coastal communities were equally tied to the sea. The bustling pilchard fisheries of Newlyn, Mousehole, and Padstow provided a vital secondary income for miners during strikes or depressions.
• Music & Culture: Mining was a community affair, and almost every major mine had its own Brass Band. The Camborne and Redruth areas were alive with the sound of cornets and trombones, funding by the miners themselves.
• Sports: Cornish Wrestling was the undisputed sport of the working classes in 1870. Mining captains often sponsored wrestlers, and matches were held in the rough turf right outside the mine engine houses. Rugby was also beginning to take a firm hold in the mining towns, laying the groundwork for the legendary Cornish rugby teams of the 20th century.

Important Disclaimer Regarding Maps

Please note: Original copies of this directory occasionally had their regional maps removed by previous owners over the last 150 years before they were scanned. While we cannot guarantee the inclusion of these maps in your specific download or CD, if the maps are present in the original scanned copy we sourced, consider it a fantastic bonus!

Format Options

Choose the format that best suits your research style:

• Digital Download: Get instant access after checkout. No waiting, no shipping fees. Start searching for your ancestors immediately.
• CD-ROM: Perfect for those who prefer a physical archive to keep on their genealogy bookshelf. Pop it into your computer's disc drive for offline research anytime.

Unlock the secrets of the West Country's subterranean empire. Add the 1870 Cornwall & Devon Mining Directory to your cart today and break through those brick walls!