You can grow your family tree with the help of the Midland Ancestors Family History Centre and Reference Library housed in the Kingsley Norris Room at The Birmingham & Midland Institute.
The Centre has computers from which you can access the internet, we have the library edition of Find My Past and are also a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This latter allows access to an estimated 400 million + images of original records that you will not be able to see at home. The Volunteer Librarians are experienced in family history research and will be able to guide you to appropriate resources, but we do not offer a research service. You can also access the library catalogue and most of the societies indexes.
Midland Ancestors Reference Library
The Reference Library contains almost 10,000 books, microfiche, microfilm, maps, and computer-based resources. You will find parish registers, cemetery register images, monumental inscriptions, wills, censuses, trade directories and deposited family histories. (But we do not guarantee that you will find your ancestors amongst them ! )
Items in this Library are for reference only and must not be removed under any circumstances.
Opening Hours –
Monday : 10.15a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Tuesday : 10.15a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Wednesday : 10.15a.m. – 2.45 p.m.
Thursday : 10.30a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Friday : 10.15a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Please note: The above times are always subject to the Volunteer Librarian being available. (More volunteers are always welcome)
If travelling from a distance you are advised to check beforehand with Bernie or Mary McLean on 0121 454 4307
The Midland Ancestors Family History Centre is open to members and non-members alike and although entry is free of charge, we appreciate donations that along with our members’ subscriptions are the lifeblood of our Society.
Further information about the Reference Library from referencelibrarian@midanc.uk or download Reference Library catalogue (3.1 Mb) Download
*Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar required to view this .pdf file
For a location map of the BMI Click here
Midland Ancestors Lending Library
In The Dickens Room, BMI, Margaret Street, Birmingham city centre, it is normally open only when there is a Society meeting at the BMI. Check the calendar as they happen on Wednesday evenings in the summer months, Saturday afternoons in the winter months. However books may be borrowed by post for the cost of postage.
Lending Librarian: Miss Marion Hall, Email: lendinglibrarian@midanc.uk or download Lending Library catalogue Download
*Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar required to view this .pdf file
Birmingham & Midland Institute Library – Genealogical and Heraldic Section
Members of Midland Ancestors may be allowed the privilege of using this section of 
the BMI Library (which is housed in the basement of the BMI) on production of their copies of the Annual Programme.
