Photography

Siwsan

(27,625 posts)

34. Both of my grandfathers were coal miners

Fri Jul 4, 2025, 07:05 AM

Jul 4

My paternal grandfather, the son of a Welsh immigrant, was a coal mine worker in Frostburg, MD just like his father and brothers. He came from a family of 13 kids. Most of the brothers and uncles worked in the mines, too, just like their the family did in Wales.

Grandpa was caught in a mine collapse but was able to escape. That made him decide that he did NOT want his son, my uncle, to be a coal miner. He'd lost his father and several brothers and cousins to 'coal miners asthma' which is what they called Black Lung Disease.

Anyway, just like my maternal grandfather, he moved his family to Flint and got a job at Buick. Both grandfathers were passing acquaintances at Buick and had no idea there would be a family connection through marriage.

I never met my maternal grandfather. He died about 6 months before I was born. However, from what I've been told about him, we are very much alike.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

36 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I met this young lady while I was grocery shopping today, and I loved her hat! [View all] CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 OP

I love it too, Peggy. FalloutShelter Jul 3 #1

So glad you do, my dear FalloutShelter! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #2

That is great! Diamond_Dog Jul 3 #3

My sentiments exactly, my dear Diamond_Dog! Thank you. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #4

LOVE IT!!! Thank you for sharing. niyad Jul 3 #5

Thank you so much, my dear niyad! It was my pleasure! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #18

Her hat and her pull-down pose. Great opportunity Peggy, real nice shot! George McGovern Jul 3 #6

Thanks so much, dear George! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #19

Hope you see her again, Peggy Hekate Jul 3 #7

That would be very cool, but I doubt it. It's a big store and there are always lots of people there. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #20

"" AllaN01Bear Jul 3 #8

Back atcha, my dear AllaNO1Bear! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #21

And what thrill for her to meet you California Peggy! 1WorldHope Jul 3 #9

What a sweet thing to say, and thank you, my dear 1WorldHope! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #22

I just bought the t-shirt. TomSlick Jul 3 #10

Nice!! BuddhaGirl Jul 3 #11

That's a great t-shirt! Thanks for sharing it, my dear TomSlick! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #23

I'm looking forward to wearing it in my red little town. TomSlick Jul 3 #26

My spouse is naturalized LittleGirl Jul 3 #12

That is just perfect and thank you for telling us about your lives, my dear LittleGirl! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #24

Extra cool that she's a blonde. SleeplessinSoCal Jul 3 #13

Very cool indeed, my dear SleeplessinSoCal! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #25

As a grand daughter of an immigrant, I totally agree Siwsan Jul 3 #14

Thank You Siwsan for sharing your grandfather with us. What a journey. And what a life! George McGovern Jul 3 #16

Both of my grandfathers were coal miners Siwsan Jul 4 #34

Your grandfather was a plucky young man! Determined and smart as well as lucky! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #27

Love it! MIButterfly Jul 3 #15

Thanks so much, my dearMIButterfly! I'm glad you do. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #28

Lin-Manuel Miranda said it right in Hamilton: Staph Jul 3 #17

Thanks for the great quote and clip, my dear Staph! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 3 #29

Wonderful. Good for her! LoisB Jul 4 #30

I echo your feelings, my dear LoisB! Thank you so much. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 4 #32

K&R LetMyPeopleVote Jul 4 #31

Thank you for your support, my dear LetMyPeopleVote! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 4 #33

Let's hear it for immigrants! ShazzieB Jul 4 #35

My maternal grandmother came from Poland with nothing but the clothes on her back. MIButterfly Jul 4 #36