Northumberland Record Office

Estate Business & Family Papers of the Blackett Family of Wylam

Miners' Condition Books

NRO Reference: ZBK/A/3

The condition books provide names of men employed at the Blackett collieries; details of their employment, (hewer, putter or offhandman); a description of the work undertaken; details of earnings and allowances and an indication of whether the employee is a householder. In some instances, the volumes include useful comments about family relationships, previous employment etc. For example, ZBK/A/3/3 includes a reference to William White being 'from Ironworks Wylam' and Thomas Makepeace being from 'Irons Blaydon - formerly Greenhead'. Volumes 1 & 3-6 have been indexed by name - this index is reproduced here.