I wondered how they must have lived since I am as far removed from coal mining as you can possibly imagine. I knew nothing about mining and honestly had never had an interest in it. But, I had to learn about their work in order to learn about them. I began collecting information. I've learned a lot, but still have a long way to go in my quest to understand and appreciate the lives my ancestors led.
Genealogy is an enriching experience because it opens new doors for learning.
From what I know of my Scottish ancestors I can say with confidence that I come from strong stock indeed. I am proud as well as humbled by my heritage. They were not rich, they were not famous. They left nothing material to their families. My ancestors lived incredibly hard lives but they survived and they continue on through us, their descendants.