Coal Stories: Working & Living in a coal & iron communities

The units examine the lives of children working in the mines and iron works in the 1840s which led to a Royal Commission investigation and Report which was published in 1842.

The report provides detailed evidence of life in many parts of Wales at that time. The impact of the Report in changing the law about the employment of women and children.

The units look at people’s working and home lives in coal communities. in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Attention has been given to the lives of children working in the 1840s and the life of a young boy miner in the early twentieth century .

The work links with the 4 programmes BBC Wales produced for schools ‘Coal Stories’ produced in conjunction the ‘Coal House’ series

Author's details:

Gill Foley - Deputy head Cyfarthfa Junior school

Martin Williams - Adviser Teaching & Learning Caerphilly County Borough

David Maddox - History Consultant

Local historylooking at evidencehistory investigationschange across time. Royal Commission Report 1842census returnschildren in the minesBlaenavonRhonddaMerthyrSwanseawork homeschapelsschoolshopsentertainment