Stourbridge Glass Industry in the 1920’s

Speakers: Dr Kate Round & Paul Burkitt

Background:

The 1921 Census was the first Census when occupation/job classification, along with the name of their employer was required. This allowed Midland Ancestors – Stourbridge and the Black Country Group, to research all the individuals and their families who were working in the flint glass industry. This research took many months and thousands of corrections to FindmyPast, who had been the translators of the 1921 Census.

Talk:

Paul Burkitt, a committee member of Midland Ancestors – Stourbridge and the Black Country Group will show how the research was accomplished and the major findings. Who they worked for (Stuarts, Webbs, Richardsons, Stevens & Williams, etc), what job they did (blower, cutter, polisher, etc). For example, nearly 500 individuals have been identified who were working for Stuart Crystal. This shows what major employers the glass companies were.

Dr Kate Round

Kate will continue to talk about the state of the flint glass industry during the time of 1921 Census, especially following the end of World War 1 in November 1918. The war had been a disruptive influence on the glass industry and there was a recession in the early 1920’s which put glass workers out of work. This will be a fascinating insight to the glass companies and some of the famous names working in the industry in the 1921’s.

Red Cone – Owned by Stuart Crystal