THE PLACE OF REGIONS IN TRANSNATIONAL CONNECTIONS: CUMBERLAND MINERS IN NORTHERN ENGLAND AND THE WITWATERSRAND, 1880S-1920s

I have been interested in long-distance labour migration and the mining industry for a long time. Over a decade ago, when I began my doctoral work about Zambia's Copperbelt, I met with a South African historian who kindly agreed to offer some advice, having done similar research. They asked me why I was interested in the topic and I responded with what is now a well-worn explanation: I had grown up in Cumberland, a former mining region in northern England. The remains of this industrial past have fascinated me my whole life. 'Well, why not study that?' came the reply.