Midland Ancestors

Birmingham Hybrid: Where Does My Family Come From?
2022-07-06 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
Where Does My Family Come From ? Unlocking the Secrets of DNA Testing
Presenter – Karen Evans
Adverts for DNA testing kits are constantly on the TV – but what do you actually get?
This talk covers understanding how the test works in very general terms, getting the most from the test (what the results mean) and how to use the results to validate your paper research or overcome brick walls such as illegitimacy.
Karen will also highlight the range of DNA testing and the pitfalls of which you may not be aware.
Karen is a local author and writes a monthly column for Family Tree Magazine on getting the most out of your DNA results.

This will be a Zoom Hybrid Meeting taking place in the Birmingham meeting Rooms and virtually.
Those who intend to participate using Zoom can Register by using this link – DNA Testing
Visit this page to find out how we do it.

London: Talk on 'using DNA research in your family tree'
2022-07-02 10:30 - 12:30 | Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU, United Kingdom
Karen Evans: “Using DNA research in your family tree”.
Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU. Doors open 10.00.
Underground stations: Old Street (due to building works at Old Street, please use subway 3) (Northern Line City Branch)
Moorgate (Northern, Circle and Metropolitan Lines).
Buses: 21, 43, 55, 76, 141, 205, 214, 243, 271
Railway Stations: Old Street, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, City ThamesLink, Farringdon

Wolverhampton: Members Research Session
2022-06-29 19:30 - 21:30 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
Come along and join in a research session to help each other with problem solving and share ideas. Bring details of your “missing ancestors”, “brick walls” and other queries and see if others can help you find the answers.
Access to various records will be available.
Internet access will be available so you can bring along a laptop, an ipad or tablet.
Doors open at 7.15 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start

Stourbridge: Stories from The Hive
2022-06-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Stourbridge, St. Peter's Church Hall, Pedmore, West Midlands, DY9 0SW, United Kingdom
Stories from The Hive
Paul Hudson with Stories from the Collection at The Hive

Kenilworth: 'My Churchley Family - A Typical West Midlands Family?'
2022-06-08 19:30 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
A talk by Richard Churchley (Rescheduled from 2020 and 14 Apr 2021)
Apologies: this was displaying as Thursday, 9 June, but the correct date is Wednesday, 8 June [Updated: 27/05/2022]

Executive Committee Meeting
2022-06-08 18:30 - 20:30 | Online Event Using Zoom
Executive Committee Meeting
To which satellite group committee representatives are invited

Bank Holiday
2022-06-03
Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday

Bank Holiday
2022-06-02
Spring Bank Holiday

Birmingham Hybrid: Lost Industries and Businesses of Birmingham
2022-06-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
Lost Industries and Businesses of Birmingham
Presenter Keith Clenton
Most photographs used in this presentation come from The Birmingham Lives Carl Chinn Archive. Keith will bring to us the reality that despite the ability of Birmingham people to adapt to innovation, for a variety of reasons there was a decline in manufacturing resulting in the closure of many firms. These images provide the only remaining evidence of what once provided work and income for our Birmingham forebears.
Previously planned for June 2020, rescheduled due to CV19

This will be a Zoom Hybrid Meeting taking place in the Birmingham meeting Rooms and virtually.
Those who are unable to get to the meeting rooms and intend instead to participate using Zoom can Register by using this link – Click here
Visit this page to find out how we do it.
Note that this meeting is the time of year when we have moved from a Saturday to a Wednesday.

Stourbridge: Going Out and Coming Home
2022-05-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Stourbridge, St. Peter's Church Hall, Pedmore, West Midlands, DY9 0SW, United Kingdom
Going Out and Coming Home
A presentation by Professor Mike Haynes.
Professor Haynes will look at how much we know about distances to work and going on day trips and how people travelled.
Mike says about his presentation – “It will be fun !”

Kenilworth: ABM followed by 'Looking for Answers... a family quest'
2022-05-11 19:30 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
The branch’s annual business meeting will be followed by a talk by John Berkeley OBE (rescheduled from 13 Jan & 9 Jun 2021)

Bromsgrove: Heir Hunting
2022-05-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B60 1AS, United Kingdom
Professional heir hunter Helen Ball will share her secrets and experiences tracing benefactors of lost estates.

Birmingham Hybrid: Group AGM followed by Lunatick Astronomy
2022-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
Lunatick Astronomy
Presenter Andrew Lound
The Lunar Society was one of the most influential groups in the 18th century, no aspect of science and industry was overlooked at their monthly dinner parties. Although the development of the steam engine and coinage production became the main focus for Matthew Boulton, he had developed a passion for astronomy. Andrew will tell us the story of the Lunar Society’s interest in astronomy based on new research that has revealed some surprising facts!
A dramatic presentation beautifully illustrated and accompanied by music and presented with 18th Century flair! You won’t want to miss this one.
Andrew is well known local speaker and commentator and has appeared numerous times on local radio and television.
Andrews presentation will be preceded by –
Annual General Meeting
Do not be put off by the AGM also being at the time of this meeting. At Midland Ancestors, the record time for the AGM is about 7 minutes. We try to better it each year.

This will be a Zoom Hybrid Meeting taking place in the Birmingham meeting Rooms and virtually.
To see more about how the business part of the afternoon will work and how to Register – Click Here
Visit this page to find out how Zoom works for us.

Note that this meeting is the time of year when we have moved from a Saturday to a Wednesday.

Bank Holiday
2022-05-02
Early May Bank Holiday

Wolverhampton: Scandal at The Star Theatre
2022-04-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
An evening talk by Kate Hartland-Westwood.
Kate will be discussing real events that took place at the Star Theatre in Wolverhampton. In 1895 a local theatre owner was accused of assaulting three girls but what really happened?

Doors open at 7.15 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start

Executive Committee Meeting
2022-04-27 18:30 - 20:30 | Online Event Using Zoom
Executive Committee Meeting
To which satellite group committee representative members are invited

Stourbridge: Group Open Day & Family History Workshop
2022-04-23 11:00 - 16:00 | Stourbridge, St. Peter's Church Hall, Pedmore, West Midlands, DY9 0SW, United Kingdom
Grow your family tree with Midland Ancestors
The Stourbridge Group throw their doors open to the local community and invite them to come along to St. Peters Church Hall in Pedmore and see who we are.
Grow your family tree with our expert advice and free access to the groups family history resources. Learn how to use the three different search methods with Find My Past, get access and guidance with Family Search, and library version of Ancestry. Find how to use your local BMD website to access records from your local register office. There will also be available access to the Midland Ancestors Family History Centre and Library resources in Birmingham via remote link.
Refreshments available
Do please note that this meeting is not a Tuesday evening but a Saturday

Bank Holiday
2022-04-18
Easter Monday Friday Bank Holiday

Bank Holiday
2022-04-15
Good Friday Bank Holiday

Kenilworth: 'Heir Hunting'
2022-04-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
A talk by Helen Ball BA MCLIP FPAR (rescheduled from 13 October 2021)
Helen is a a Family Historian turned Professional Probate Researcher and will tell about her work.

Bromsgrove: No meeting
2022-04-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B60 1AS, United Kingdom
Due to an alternate history event in the town, MA Bromsgrove will not meet in April.

Birmingham Hybrid : From Ennis to Emmie - A Postcard Exchange
2022-04-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
From Ennis to Emmie – A Postcard Exchange
A presentation by John Frearson
John will tell us the story of a post card exchange from the early 1900s, and tracking down the senders and their families. How the finding of a series of postcards allowed the sender and her family to be tracked down – family history and postcard history, as well as examples of cards and photographs of the period.
John is a retired construction materials consultant, turned family, company and local historian, researcher, lecturer and author. He is a member of the Guild of One Name Studies [GOONS] and also the Rugby Family History Group and Leicestershire Local History Society. He lives in Rugby and has written a number of articles for his local history magazine, and written and published some 18 local industrial history and family history books.

This will be a Zoom Hybrid Meeting taking place in the Birmingham meeting Rooms and virtually.
Those who intend to participate using Zoom can Register by using this link – Click Here
Visit this page to find out how we do it.

Those who live within reach are encouraged and will be most welcome to take part in the meeting rooms in Birmingham

Note that this meeting is the time of year when we move from a Saturday to a Wednesday.

London: Talk on 'The Startin family and the development of their coach building business'
2022-04-02 10:30 - 12:30 | Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU, United Kingdom
Talk: Barbara Harvey and Andy Startin: The Startin family and the development of their coach building business”.
Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London EC1Y 1AU. Doors open 10:00.
Underground stations: Old Street (due to building works at Old Street, please use subway 3) (Northern Line City Branch)
Moorgate (Northern, Circle and Metropolitan Lines).
Buses: 21, 43, 55, 76, 141, 205, 214, 243, 271
Railway Stations: Old Street, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, City ThamesLink, Farringdon

Wolverhampton: TBA
2022-03-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
This will be an afternoon meeting. Doors open at 1.45 p.m.

Details will be announced shortly.

Stourbridge: Louis Etienne Goulé, Part Two
2022-03-26 14:30 - 16:00 | Stourbridge, St. Peter's Church Hall, Pedmore, West Midlands, DY9 0SW, United Kingdom
Louis Etienne Goulé, Part Two with Wendy Larmour
Following on from her talk of September 2018, Wendy will tell us part two of the enthralling story of Louis Etienne Goulé and a Threadbare Wellington Quilt.
We are moved to consider whether his son was mad, bad, or insane. Wendy says that this is just one of the important questions that need exploring in the continuing search to discover the truth behind village gossip and folklore surrounding Louis Etienne Goulé, Surgeon of Ombersley. Wendy will ask us the audience to act as judge and jury in this fascinating tale.

On Line Event: Shady Rock Clent - Kingsley Norris Memorial Lecture
2022-03-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Online Event Using Zoom
Shady Rock Clent – A History in House Deeds.
A Presentation by Linda Newey, BA Dip Gen QA
Linda has an impressive pedigree – BA DipGen QA, of Four Oaks Genealogy, AGRA member, Pharos tutor and advanced programme mentor and (of course!) editor of our quarterly journal The Midland Ancestors. Lindas talk traces the history of Shady Rock Cottage, Clent Stourbridge, Worcestershire and those that called it home – including her own family, as revealed in house deeds dating back to 1798.

This will be a Zoom only meeting. Rearranged time, was prev 5th March
You can Register now by using this link – Shady Rock
Visit this page to find out how we do it.

The Kingsley Norris Memorial Lecture is always by a society member.
It was from a germ of an idea of Dr. Stuart Kingsley Norris, retired surgeon at Birmingham Eye Hospital, that BMSGH now Midland Ancestors, was established in 1963. As its pioneering founder member, after his untimely death in 1972, this annual lecture was set up in his memory.
Note that this meeting is on a Wednesday afternoon.

Kenilworth: Members' Special - Getting back to business live!
2022-03-09 19:30 - 21:00 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
An informal get-together, 2 years after we last met face-to-face. Come and renew acquaintance, and share what you’ve been doing.

Bromsgrove: Coroner’s Inquest Records
2022-03-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B60 1AS, United Kingdom
Speaker: Liz Palmer.
Liz is a former librarian and archivist at Birmingham Archives and will share her in-depth knowledge of this fascinating record set.

Course: Introduction to Family History
2022-03-08 14:15 - 16:30 | Perton Library, Severn Drive, Perton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 7QU, United Kingdom
A FREE five week course run by Midland Ancestors at Perton Library.
This is a course run by Midland Ancestors for complete beginners or those who have done a little research and don’t know where to go next.
Find out how to…

get started in researching your family history
learn about the records which will help you
find the records and interpret them
discover the heroes and rogues in your family
reveal the truth behind your family tales.

Places are limited and booking must be made through our host, Perton library, direct on 01902 755794. If you book a place but later change your mind about attending please notify library to allow someone else to take up the place.
Tuesday afternoon from 8th March to 5th April inclusive.

Executive Committee Meeting
2022-03-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Event Using Zoom
Executive Committee Meeting
To which satellite group representative committee members are invited
