Anyone Have Prospecting Ancestors?

goldenmojo · Jan 16, 2014

Here is my GGG Grandfather who made it to Bear River CA. Sept 8 1849. He then went to Steep Hollow and then to Downieville. Earlier in 1851 he struck a pocket and took out 7 lbs. 5 oz in one day. By the end of the month he had over $5000.00 and decided to return to Iowa to sell his farm. He took a young wife and returned to California the next year. He settled in San Bernardino , grew raisins and enjoyed life until he was 98. His son and some of his grandsons were gold miners also.

Goldenmojo

mudd · Jan 16, 2014

that's cool, Ill have to find out if I do

goldenIrishman · Jan 16, 2014

My GrandDaddy on my mothers side was a miner but I don't remember him as he passed away when I was about 2 years old. On my dads side they were all railroad men

AlaskaGold · Jan 16, 2014

Both my grandpas were miners, one coal the other gold and cooper. Didn't know them as they passed on by the time I was three.

fowledup · Jan 16, 2014

Yeah there are a few, lol. My Moms side were Cornish miners, also on my Mom's side my GG grandfather was a silver/gold miner in Virginia City. I have his beautiful Damascus barreled Elsie Smith shotgun, complete with a patched bullet hole on the end, and side of one of the barrels. We have several generations of Pennslyvania coal miners. Looking them up in the old census records they are listed as "ore digger", "digger", or "miner". With the on set of electricity the family line shifted to tunnel and mine electricians. My grandfather as well as my dad were both "tunnel rats", he has always said that was his favorite job. Dad in his younger days was also a drill tender for one of my shirttail uncle's in Montana for a time. Dad and uncles have always shared a love for mining, in the 70's and 80's between jobs and any time they could get, they operated four claims on the Feather using a 6"and 4" dredge , and a little 2" innertube style backpack setup. My Grandfather on my Dads' s side came to California to work in the mines in the Mojave.

goldenmojo · Jan 16, 2014

goldenIrishman said:
My GrandDaddy on my mothers side was a miner but I don't remember him as he passed away when I was about 2 years old. On my dads side they were all railroad men

Miners and Railroad Men, the same here. My father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather worked the railroads along with countless uncles, cousins. Iowa, Michigan and California....Grandpa also had Blue Jade Mine....

norcalsteve · Jan 16, 2014

My great-great grandpa owned the largest supply store in Grass Valley from the early 1800's. When the goldbrush started he made a fortune selling supplies. However, he also ran a poker game in the back room. He lost everything on a poker hand and ended up moving to SF. He opened up a store in SF and was one the first merchants to have slot machines on his counters. I am a 5th generation San Franciscan. GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!

Aufisher · Jan 16, 2014

Some Bear River gold for you Mojo! Awesome piece of history you got. These are my largest most coveted pieces.

goldenmojo · Jan 16, 2014

Bear River Chunk.... Nice Work Aufisher!!!

fowledup · Jan 16, 2014

Been thinking about this thread and it made me chuckle. My ancestors more then likely spent there life fighting to get away from mining and give there offspring, my grandfather's and grandmother's a better life. Now here I am spending my time fighting to keep mining and wishing I didn't have to do anything but mine. Ought to be an interesting chat someday.

ingram4868 · Jan 16, 2014

My Grandfather, father, and his brothers had the rights to an old gold mine in Sierra City, CA around 1950. They didn't get rich but my brother has a wonderful gold nugget about the size of a very large marble. It was passed down to him because when my brother was a baby my uncles would let him use it as a teething item. It became a fob at the end of a pocket watch and my brother still keeps it under a glass dome.

g-olden years · Jan 17, 2014

This is a fascinating thread! :icon_thumleft:

You guys have rich mining & railroad histories in your families! Andi

rodoconnor · Jan 17, 2014

I'm 4th generation on both sides. Great grandad was a hardrock miner in Jarbidge. Grandad operated abucketline dredge in Kal.

Fullpan · Jan 17, 2014

rodoconnor said:
I'm 4th generation on both sides. Great grandad was a hardrock miner in Jarbidge. Grandad operated abucketline dredge in Kal.

You probably know this info already, but if not, here is a cool photo gallery of Jarbidge mining history:

Jarbidge Gallery

loco oro · Jan 17, 2014

here are some pics of my ggmother and her son my gfather, at a location in arizona,where they owned some prospects and a trading post.circa 1950also my father as a kid ,messing round some talus, the location is unknown to me,they are all gone,my ggmother remarried after my ggfathers death, and her new family still resides in arizona as far as i know.

Goodyguy · Jan 17, 2014

As far as I know all the gold diggers in my family tree were women :tongue3:

Aufisher · Jan 17, 2014

Wow GG! She looks so gold and shiny!

goldenmojo · Jan 17, 2014

Looks like she could get the job done........

goldenmojo · Jan 17, 2014

fowledup said:
Been thinking about this thread and it made me chuckle. My ancestors more then likely spent there life fighting to get away from mining and give there offspring, my grandfather's and grandmother's a better life. Now here I am spending my time fighting to keep mining and wishing I didn't have to do anything but mine. Ought to be an interesting chat someday.

Looking over the fence at the green grass, one never knows how good they really have it, unless of course they are mining.......

rodoconnor · Jan 17, 2014

I've got some family history around Bisbee. When my Dad was about 7 years old ,he found a rich cinnabar deposit , which my Grandad promply claim-jumped! I guess it isn't a good idea to have a 7 year old mining mercury.