Researching the mining industry of Marquette County has proven to be a little more difficult than I had anticipated. Most of the sources that I have come upon are more related to the geology of mining rather than the workers who worked in the mines. Because this is all I can find at the MSU Library I am now headed to the Library of Michigan. Here, I have found more substantial research regarding the people who worked the mines and the three communities that encompass the Marquette Iron Range.
One aspect in my research that I would like to look more into, and possibly dedicate a section of my paper to is that of immigrant workers. From looking at the Census Data from the year 1880 I found that most miners were immigrants from Finland, Canada, and a few from Ireland. I believe that it would be appropriate to incorporate the immigrants who lived in the community as the mining industry has been instrumental in the communities progress.
Thanks
My cousin went to Northern and was at school in Marquette for 4 years. I think she did her senior thesis on the railroads connecting the mines. She might have some good sources in her bibliography if your still having trouble finding information. I gather from your more recent post though that you have found some though.
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