A MAN who visited Wylam USA is hoping to strike up a partnership with its UK counterpart.
It comes after Luke Hilliard, of Wylam, Northumberland, visited Wylam, Birmingham, Alabama.
The mining town was founded by Joseph Martin, of the UK, who set up shop there. The Methodist Church is named after him.
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"Sadly, the area is very different to Wylam, UK; the town has fallen into dire poverty and crime there is very high", said Luke. "That being said, when I visited the library, the staff there were extremely helpful, kind and welcoming.
"I met two gentlemen who used to live in the village back in the 1950's/60's and attended Wylam school. They showed and told me all about the town in its hay day and have given me their own historical records of the area.
"As far as I can tell, I'm likely the first person to visit Wylam USA in many years and I think having a link between the two places is extremely important for those who want to learn more about the history of the areas, but also a chance to trace ancestors and family members who may have moved there."
Luke added: "It's also interesting to understand why the two mining towns have gone very different ways in terms of affluence and offers an insight into Anglo-American industrial history and sociological studies."
Luke plans to donate the history books and pictures to Wylam Libary to form an offical partnership between the two.
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