Employment Records and Family Histories

Biographical details of individuals employed, or associated, with the shale oil industry. Search the database, entering first name(s) and surname:

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It has been estimated that, at it's height, over 10,000 people were employed in, or owed a livelihood to, the shale oil industry in Scotland. The gradual decline of the industry resulted in many moving away from the shale districts in search of employment, with some emigrating overseas. Today people from many parts of the world are proud to claim ancestors who worked in to shale oil industry.

Regretably few official records of employment have survived from the shale oil companies. A database of this very incomplete record can be searched on this site, augmented with information gleaned from newspapers, accident reports, and other documents.

  • List of main source records
      • LVSAV1989.079 - Salaries book, Middleton Hall, 1921-1941
      • LVSAV1990.030- 24 Accident books from Westwood pit, 1951-1961
      • LVSAV2003.005 - Uphall Oil Co. Ltd, time abstract book 1881-1882
      • LVSAV2004.003 - Tenacy records - Pumpherston village 1884-1958
      • LVSAV2009.060 - Rent book for housing in Pumpherston 1938-1944
      • LVSAV2010.012 - Apprentice record book
      • LVSAV2010.015 - Nationalinsurance contribution book 1957-1966
      • LVSAV2010.139 - Employee record cards
      • R12-00283 - list of employees from Pumpherston oil works starting military service 1939-1947
      • R12-00287 - signitures of Pumpherston Oil company staff agreeing to abide by company rules. 1928-1950
      • R12-00289 - signitures of Pumpherston Oil company staff agreeing to deduction of wages. 1928-1950
      • 215850 - Scottish Oil Agency Director's minute book 1918-1919
      • 215665 - Scottish Oils Ltd. Annual compensation statement 1931
      • 28314 - Pumpherston Oil Co. Ltd. Salaries 1883-1893
      • 28315 - Pumpherston Oil Co. Ltd. Salaries 1904-1912

    Other family history resources

    Occupations

    Descriptions of the various occupations, trades, and professions associated with the industry

    Notable People

    Life histories of notable entrepreneurs and inventors associated with the industry

    Oral histories

    First hand accounts of life in the past, recorded in the 1980's