Although records are often sparse with regards to mining employment pre 20th century in the UK, the most useful records for family history purposes include the 1842 Royal Commission into the Employment of Children at the Mines 1842. From these records the following indexes and have been prepared:

Name Index for 1842 Commission for Cornwall

Name Index for 1842 Commission for Cumberland Coal Mines

Name Index for 1842 Commission for North Durham & Northumberland Coal Mines

Name Index for 1842 Commission for Durham, Cumberland & Northumberland Lead Mines

Name Index for 1842 Commission for Forest of Dean Mines

Transcript of questionnaire for the Royal Commission 1842 Transcript of 1842 Questionnaire

You may also find the following article of interest: Chambers Journal 1860