Chesterfield County, Virginia Uncovered: The Records of Death and Slave Insurance Records for the Coal Mining Industry, 1810-1895

The Midlothian Mines in Virginia were the first coal mines in the US before it was the US. As such, the history is rich with the predictable disasters that occurred over the centuries. Of note, the people who worked in the mines also have a story that needs to be told, and this book captures the sad history of slavery and exploitation. If you're researching coal mining and related disasters, slavery, the history and policies around these topics, and wondering where the bodies are buried, this compilation is ideal. The author has provided news reports from the various timeframes, along with the human element and impact. More importantly, she has named these folks and brought their humanity into focus. Ms. Frantel is thorough and thoughtful in her approach. I have many pages highlighted and tagged for a book I'm working on. This book is a treasure for those researching these important topics and I'm very grateful for Ms. Frantel's painstaking work to bring this forward.

Good purchase. Thanks