Yorkshire Imperial Metals Records

Vivian Papers, including papers relating to the Cornish metal trade and to the history of the firm (Vivian and Sons) 1785-1896; title deeds c1740-c1929; maps and plans 1818-c1937; law papers and correspondence 1833-1925; investments 1828-1889; patents 1816-1924; ore contracts and papers 1881-1896; financial records 1864-1924; papers relating to materials, production and sales c1860-1919; miscellaneous papers 1853-1925. Williams Foster and Company Papers, including title deeds and related papers 1826-1926; rentals c1914 and undated (late nineteenth century); plans 1824-1889 and undated (late nineteenth century); miscellaneous files and papers 1868-1924; papers relating to processes and materials 1887-1906; papers relating to labour 1903-c1916; Goldenhill Cobalt Company undated (mid nineteenth century) and 1905-1909; miscellaneous papers 1870s-1920. Records of the British Copper Manufacturers' Limited/Yorkshire Imperial Metals/ICI, including minutes and reports 1918-1956; records relating to finance 1892-1933; correspondence 1925-1950; personnel records 1912-1950; property records 1901-1955; material relating to the Quick Firing Factory at Upper Bank 1937-1942.

Vivian Papers see LAC/126/A-K.

Williams, Foster Papers see LAC/126/L-S.

Records of the British Copper Manufacturers/Yorkshire Imperial Metals/I C I see LAC/126/T-Y.

Yorkshire Imperial Metals Limited is a joint company of Yorkshire Metals and Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (ICI). In 1927 it took over British Copper Manufacturers' Limited which in 1924 had been formed by the amalgamation of the two major copper smelting firms in Swansea, Messrs. Vivian and Sons; and Messrs. Williams Foster and Company and Pascoe Grenfell and Sons Limited. Messrs Vivian and Sons had been founded by John Vivian, a Cornish mine owner in the early nineteenth century. Messrs. Williams Foster and Company and Pascoe Grenfell and Sons Limited had been formed out of two Swansea firms, Messrs. Pascoe Grenfell and Sons and Messrs. Williams, Foster and Company in c1892. The records in this archive mainly relate to the Vivian interests, including material relating to the eighteenth century Cornish copper mining industry, and the activities of Williams Foster and Company, as well as office papers of Yorkshire Imperial Metals.

Accessible to all researchers by appointment. Please note that some collections contain sensitive information and access may be restricted.

Usual copyright regulations apply

For papers relating to Pascoe Grenfell and Sons please see GB 217 LAC/45, Grenfell family of Swansea