The dedicated work of Jim Hamilton (1922-2004) has bequeathed us a remarkable collection of interviews, films, photographs, postcards, and documents.

Jim began to record a social history of Coalburn in the early 1970s. He had long conversations with older residents, many of whom had strong recollections of life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jim presented these in 'Coalburn Chronicles' - 80 magazines which together comprise over 5000 pages with memories of family, work and social life, recounted in the rich local vernacular. Jim also compiled similar books for the villages of Lesmahagow, Kirkmuirhill, Blackwood, Douglas, Glespin, Douglas Water and Rigside. Some of his interviews were filmed, and are available on DVD. He also shot a wide range of video of the local area.

"It has been suggested to me that Coalburn now has possibly the best documented set of family histories for any village in Britain.” Jim Hamilton

This archive, together with a wide range of further items and information, donated since establishment of the Jim Hamilton Heritage Society in 2004, is housed in the Coalburn Heritage Centre, located at Coalburn Miners' Welfare One Stop Shop.