Midland Ancestors

Bank Holiday
2024-08-26 | South Staffordshire
Bank Holiday
Summer Bank Holiday

North Staffs Branch - NO MEETING
2024-08-05 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | St. John’s Centre, St. John’s Centre, 122 Newcastle Rd. Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QD, United Kingdom
No Meeting

Wolverhampton: Human Archeology and are you really who you think you are?
2024-07-31 19:30 - 21:00 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
CHANGE TO ORIGINAL PLANNED MEETING
We now have a talk from one of our own group members, Joy Petit-Gittos, entitled Human Archeology and are you really who you think you are?
This is about our journey into the past and the need to go further to find the truth!
It will show that we don’t always know who we really are when we uncover (excavate) the first few generations of genealogical records and is based on personal experience of researching over 300 years of the Petit family.
Doors open at 7.15 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. meeting start

Stourbridge Group - Summer Evening visit to Claverley Church
2024-07-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Claverley Church, Church Street, Claverley, WV5 7DP
Summer Evening visit to Claverley Church

The Visit to
All Saints Church is in the village of Claverley, Shropshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Bridgnorth, the archdeaconry of Ludlow, and the diocese of Hereford. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.
The church can trace its origins back to the 7th century. The present church was founded by Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, who died in 1094. The tower was doubled in height and angle buttresses were added to it towards the end of the 15th century. At about the same time the north chapel was added. In 1902 the top two stages of the tower were rebuilt, faithfully copying the original design, by W. Wood Bethell.

Guide: The Rev Garry Ward MA
Courtesy of Shropshire Star
Your guide will Rev Garry Ward whose favourite lager is called ‘Hell,” He works part time in a local pub to raise funds for the church. The lager’s name has nothing to do with the flames of eternal damnation, but a German word that means ‘blonde’ or ‘bright’ and describes the type of brew.
Before being “called” to a life in the clergy Mr Ward worked as a midwife at Walsall Manor Hospital, delivering babies for 10 years. He was also a prison officer at the former Winson Green Prison, now HM Prison Birmingham.

How to go on the visit
Please register your interest in the visit by emailing p.burkitt@mid-anc.uk
The cost of the visit is £5 per person (MA members and Non Members). We need to gauge the number of visitors as early as possible
Payment should be made to
BANK: NatWest
Account Name: BMSGH Stourbridge Branch
Account Number: 45552029
Sort Code: 6o-20-48

Heritage Event – Local & Family History Fair
2024-07-13 10:00 - 16:00 | King Edward VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UB
Midland Ancestors own Heritage Event
After previous successful events, Midland Ancestors will again be hosting their Heritage Event,
The Birmingham Local and Family History Fair
With 35+ tables this community focussed event for Birmingham will feature not for profit local groups, history groups and genealogy groups, specialist interest groups, small commercials for postcards, photographs, memorabilia, books, local artwork, souvenirs and military interest. It will enable them all to show case their work to the general public and local community.

New venue –
The Main Hall King Edward VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston Park Road, Bham B15 2UB
Saturday 13th July 2024 10:00 – 4:00

Local groups who have an interest in attending are encouraged to do so. For further information or a booking form please email historyfair@midanc.uk
To download a flyer click on the image at right

The Fair has a dedicated website – www.birminghamhistoryfair.uk
Pay on the Door or get Advance Tickets through Eventbrite

Kenilworth: Summer Social (LIVE)
2024-07-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
Further detail to be confirmed

Birmingham: The Wednesbury Workhouse and the Parish Poor
2024-07-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
The Wednesbury Workhouse and the Parish Poor 1750 – 1900
Presenter Keith Robinson
Keiths talk will tell the the stories of people whose voices are often unheard. It will reveal the lives of those who were in the Wednesbury Workhouse and in that of neighbouring West Bromwich. It will look at the children who were indentured as parish apprentices, the people who claimed outdoor relief and the men women and children who tried to claim settlement in the town. Why had they fallen on hard times? What became of them? The presentation will reveal some astonishing stories that take us all over the Black Country, the U.K. and the world.
Keith is a local historian and has written a number of books on the Black Country, he is Vice Chair of the Black Country Society and well known on the local speakers circuit. Keith grew up in Wednesbury.

London: "The Friend’s Ambulance Service in World War One”
2024-07-06 10:15 - 12:00 | Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU, United Kingdom
“The Friend’s Ambulance Service in World War One”
A talk by Paul Handford, plus a visit to St John’s Museum and garden in the afternoon (free) for those interested. We can arrange a free introductory speaker if there are sufficient numbers.
Paul Handford MBE will be talking on the experiences of those individuals, who for conscience and other reasons, chose to serve in the non-combatant Friends’ Ambulance Unit during World War I. The talk is supported by many original photographs from his private collection.
Meetings will be held at Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, 49 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AU.
Non-members are very welcome.
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

North Staffs Branch - Talk
2024-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 | St. John’s Centre, St. John’s Centre, 122 Newcastle Rd. Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QD, United Kingdom
Talk “Crimson Fields ” Story of Nurses & Surgeons who served on the front line in the Great War 1914-18 Speaker David Bardell

Group Visit to St John’s Church, Kates Hill, Dudley
2024-06-27 14:00 | St. John’s Church, St. John's Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT, United Kingdom
St. John’s Church, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT
Tentative agenda for the day:
History of the church and of the work for preservation. Deb.
A brief look at why Ann and I are involved in the project through ancestors (brief, honest).
A look at some of the features within the church – including the Conacher organ and how it has been brought back to working order.
A walk around part of the graveyard to meet some interesting local people and inscriptions. (When I first visited the church 30+ years ago this was overgrown and unkempt but the work that the preservation group has put in on this has brought it back to what you’ll see). With the help of the original BMSGH MI book dozens of people have found their ancestors again and continued to visit.
Deb Brownlee is the person that has made all of this happen and without her tireless work, campaigning and fund raising the project would not even have started. There is a long way to go as will be explained.
The Wikipedia page provides an overview but it does not by any means tell the whole story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John%27s_Church,_Dudley
Venue: St. John’s Church, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT
Buses: 87 Platinum, X8 Platinum, 74, 12A, 12
Nearest Station: Dudley Port

Wolverhampton: Dudley's Graveyards and Curiosities
2024-06-26 19:30 - 21:00 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
Join us for a talk about the curiosities & oddities wrapped up in Dudley’s history, using dozens of images from a huge collection of engraved prints, postcards, photographs, maps and memorabilia from the town.
Our presenter Craig Denston has a back ground in Creative Arts with experience in puppet and mask making, sculptural costume and body suits, and makes out of the ordinary props to order. In his spare time he is a speaker and tour guide.
Doors open at 7.15 pm for a 7.30 pm meeting start.

On Line – Family History Workshop
2024-06-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-05-15 19:00, 2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Online Event Using Zoom
Family History Workshop by Members
An On Line Members Meeting where you can hear about other members research experiences. You can learn how they knocked down their brick walls, what new websites they found, how they got to grips with better known sites, any obscure or lesser known websites, archives offices or libraries, or tackled computer problems. What Tips & Tricks they might have to help with research or help with software they might use. All the issues that family historians frequently come up against. In essence, a Midland Ancestors Self Help Workshop.
Please get in touch by email eventsonline@mid-anc.uk if you have a query or are stuck somewhere and we will raise it in the workshop.

These meetings will be fairly loose format and will go where they lead. If you would like to make a contribution, please get in touch. You do not need to be an experienced researcher.
The success of the format is entirely dependent upon the members. It is in your hands. Many people have asked if we will be running any Zoom meetings in the future, now is your chance to help out.
An Online event using Zoom. Visit this page to find out how we do it.
To Register, click here – Workshop

Course: Introduction to Family History
2024-06-07 10:30 | Codsall Library, South Staffs Council Offices, Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 1PX
Family history course for complete beginners and those who have done a little research but do not know what to do next. Discover your own “Who Do You Think You Are?” moment.
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

Lots of handouts, guidance, tips and advice.
This is a free FIVE WEEK course but places are limited and booking is required direct with Codsall library on 01902 506060. Each session lasts approximately 2.5 hours on five consecutive Friday mornings.
Lots of opportunities to ask questions. Small friendly groups.
For further information email Wolverhamptongroup@midanc.uk

If you book a place but later change your mind, please let the library know so they can reallocate your place.

Course: Introduction to Family History with Bethany Chapel at Wednesfield
2024-06-05 10:30 - 13:00 | Bethany Chapel, Lower Prestwood Road, Wednesfield, Staffordshire, WV11 1JX, United Kingdom
Family history course for complete beginners and those who have done a little research but do not know what to do next. Discover your own “Who Do You Think You Are?” moment.
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

Lots of handouts, guidance, tips and advice.
This is a free FIVE WEEK course to be held at The Bethany Chapel, Lower Prestwood Road, Wednesfield WV11 1JX but places are limited and booking is required direct with Gary by email at edwardsgary20@gmail.com. Each session lasts approximately 2.5 hours on five consecutive Monday afternoons.
Lots of opportunities to ask questions. Small friendly groups.
For further information email Wolverhamptongroup@midanc.uk

If you book a place but later change your mind, please let Gary know so he can reallocate your place.

North Staffs Branch - Talk
2024-06-03 19:30 - 21:30 | St. John’s Centre, St. John’s Centre, 122 Newcastle Rd. Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QD, United Kingdom
Talk “Pilots in Petticoats ” Speaker David Skillen

Birmingham: Stories from the Stones
2024-06-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
Stories from the Stones
Speakers: Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane Cemetery
Richard from the Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane Cemetery will follow on from his 2023 presentation.
Our knowledgeable speaker will regale you with tales of the departed, bringing the cemetery’s rich history to life. Discover the secrets of stories from the stones as we touch upon the lives and the final resting place of Birmingham’s prominent figures and unsung heroes whose stories are etched in stone.

Bank Holiday
2024-05-27 | South Staffordshire
Bank Holiday
Spring Bank Holiday

Stourbridge Group - 'Iron, Coal and Roses'
2024-05-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Stourbridge, St. Peter's Church Hall, Pedmore, West Midlands, DY9 0SW, United Kingdom
‘Iron, Coal and Roses’
A talk by Keith Robinson about a Black Country family

The Talk
Keith will tell the story of the rise and fall of a Black Country family (The Rose family) of ironmasters during the 19th century. The talk will look at the lives of those who were employed in the family’s ironworks and collieries and include a number of case studies.

The Speaker

Keith is currently the Vice Chair of the Black Country Society and has written a number of books on the area. He is responsible for the Society’s book store and sales. Keith grew up in Princes End and Wednesbury before his family moved out of the area. Having spent 4 years volunteering in village development work in India, teaching and then working for the National Trust in the Midlands he is now retired. Keith also volunteers at the Black Country Museum and is a regular speaker at many of the region’s local history societies. Keith has written a number of local history books, including the following:

London: "The London Family History Centre"
2024-05-18 10:15 | London Family History Centre, 64-68 Princes Gate, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2PA, United Kingdom
“The London Family History Centre”
A talk by Sharon Hintze.
Sharon will tell us what is available at the centre that we cannot access elsewhere. As ever Sharon will be open to questions on a wider scale and as we have the afternoon to use the facility this will be a wonderful opportunity. In addition to onsite terminals you may wish to bring a laptop/tablet and you will be able to log into the centre’s system and Sharon will give full instruction.
Doors open at 10:00 for a 10:15 start. Use of records available until closing time.
Location: London Family History Centre, 64-68 Princes Gate, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, England, SW7 2PA
Underground station: South Kensington
Buses: 9, 14, 52, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, 452

North Staffs Branch -Research /help evening
2024-05-13 19:30 - 21:30 | St. John’s Centre, St. John’s Centre, 122 Newcastle Rd. Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QD, United Kingdom
Research / Help evening please email a brief description of help required to secretary@northstaffsfamilyhistory.co.uk
Also an informal group chat about Wills with Derek Cliffe
Tea and coffee available.

Birmingham: Society Conference and AGM
2024-05-11 10:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
Family History Day incorporating Annual General Meeting
An All day event with Speakers Dr Penny Walters and Doreen Hopwood.
Programme Timings –
09.30 – Doors Open & Registration
10:00 – Welcome
10:15 – Presentation by Dr. Penny Walters, topic – Demystifying DNA
11:15 – Coffee Break
11:45 – AGM – Details Click here – AGM
12:30 – Lunch Break
14:00 – Presentation by Doreen Hopwood, topic – Records of Childhood
15:00 – Closing Words (Chairman/President)
15:15 – Disperse

Dr Penny Walters – Title: Demystifying DNA
Have you done a test and you’re not sure what the results mean? Or, are you not sure whether to even do a DNA test? Haven’t there been some scandals surrounding them? What would the benefits of doing a DNA test be when you’ve already done a thorough paper trail?
When our speaker got her DNA test results back a few years ago, she didn’t understand the jargon and the statistics, and the implications of the results were lost on her. Different DNA testing companies test slightly different things, each company has its own advantages and disadvantages, and different useful extra tools, so which test is best for your research? Mixing DNA results with a paper trail will be explained. Maybe you were adopted and would like some help potentially looking for biological relatives. This presentation will walk you through the initial stages of understanding your DNA test results. Ethical dilemmas will also be discussed. This session will take a bottom up approach to demystifying some of the jargon, and implications of doing a DNA test for genealogical purposes.
Dr. Penny Walters has been a University lecturer for 35 years, currently teaching Masters’ Business studies at Bath Spa University, England; and previously undergraduate Psychology and Ethics. Penny’s interest in genealogy started after having her first baby and then wondering about her biological parents, as she was adopted. Penny has six mixed race children, who have all enjoyed discovering their roots through DNA ethnicity results.

Doreen Hopwood – Title: Records of Childhood
The concept of childhood has changed dramatically over time. This presentation explores the changing perception and experiences of childhood from the 16th Century and discusses some of the many sources available to discover records relating to our ancestors’ formative years.
Doreen Hopwood was the genealogist for the City of Birmingham for over 20 years and has been carrying out family history research since the 1970s. Doreen enjoyed teaching family, social and community history at all levels from absolute beginners to postgraduate and is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Birmingham. Doreen has been a genealogical “agony aunt” by answering reader’s questions for genealogical periodicals and has taken part in the celebrity “Who Do You Think You Are?” for the BBC.

The society Family History Centre will be open at times during the day.
Note this is the second Saturday in the month rather than the first Saturday

Kenilworth: Annual Business Meeting followed by 'WWll Incident Reports for Warwickshire' (LIVE)
2024-05-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
Speakers: Peter Coulls & John Willock
John Willock and Peter Coulls have been working on the’Incident Reports’ held by WCRO for some time. The information within provides an insight into the development of WWII at a local level. The accuracy of the reports has proved interesting and expanded certain aspects of WWII knowledge and its jargon. There are details of impacts on local families – it’s very name-rich. The research continues, so they’ll have more to share…

This is a LIVE meeting at The Kenilworth Centre

Bank Holiday
2024-05-06 | South Staffordshire
Bank Holiday
Early May Bank Holiday

Wolverhampton: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
2024-04-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Wolverhampton, The Terry Harding Room, Perton Civic Centre, Church Road, Perton,, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7PD, United Kingdom
A very interesting presentation about this scheme to record historic finds. Learn how the scheme started, what is recorded and how. When does the coroner become involved and what is classed as ‘treasure’. Perhaps you will learn about local finds and discover how you can access this resource and information.
Victoria Allnatt from the Birmingham Museums Trust provides a fascinating presentation on this topic.

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

Kenilworth: 'Bloody Kenilworth' (LIVE)
2024-04-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Kenilworth, Kenilworth Centre, Abbey End,, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1QJ, United Kingdom
Speaker: Adam Wood, author, speaker and tour guide, true crime historian
Join local true crime historian Adam Wood for an illustrated talk on the seedier side of Kenilworth, as he reveals misdeeds committed between 1790 and 1928.
Learn how the former caretaker of the Kenilworth Baths on Abbey Fields, bristling with resentment over his dismissal, made sure his successor met a watery end; how a one-armed man became one of the earliest motor fatalities when he was struck by a speeding driver outside the Royal Oak, and what happened when a drunken cyclist was annoyed when the lamplighter extinguished the last light on Warwick Road one dark night in 1910.
And that’s not to mention the man who discovered Jack the Ripper’s hideout on Kenilworth Common…
www.adamwoodhistory.com

This is a LIVE meeting at The Kenilworth Centre

North Staffs Branch -AGM followed by Research/help evening
2024-04-08 19:30 - 21:30 | St. John’s Centre, St. John’s Centre, 122 Newcastle Rd. Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QD, United Kingdom
AGM followed by Help if required and an informal group chat with Steve Stutcinskas the co-ordinator of the Staffordshire BMD index.

Tea and coffee available

Birmingham: How We Lived Then
2024-04-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 3BS, United Kingdom
How We Lived Then
Presenter – Mary Bodfish
This talk is based on probate inventories with Mary making particular use of the inventory of a West Bromwich man who died in 1700 to give a guided tour of his house and farm; it also includes the history of probate documents with an element of family history research.
Mary is well know on the speaker circuit locally, is an author and local historian, Mary is also Chair of Smethwick Local History Society.

Walking Tour - Birminghams Key Hill Cemetery
2024-04-06 10:15 - 12:15 | Key Hill Cemetery, Key Hill, Birmingham, B18 5NY, United Kingdom
Guided Walking Tour of Key Hill Cemetery
This internationally known Birmingham cemetery is the final resting place of numerous Birmingham notables. Amongst them Alfred Bird egg free custard manufacturer, Marie Beauclerc pioneer of shorthand and typing, Joseph Chamberlain Birmingham Mayor and his brother Richard who was also Mayor, Robert Chance glass manufacturer, Joseph Gillott pen manufacturer, Constance Naden poet & philosopher, Joseph Tangye industrialist.
Guided by Richard of the Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane Cemetery, this tour has been specially arranged privately for the society. Our thanks go to The Friends.
Tickets for this visit are at a special discount and cost a mere £6.00 They can be purchased through the Midland Ancestors on line shop. Spaces are limited so early booking is a must else you will be disappointed.
Meeting place for this visit will be outside the Jewellery Quarter Station in Vyse Street at 10:15 as mentioned above.
Here you can get trams & trains to/from Snow Hill. Bus Nos 8a, 8b, 101, 16 & 74 all pass close by, car parking available on street or nearby multi-story.
Do ensure you arrive in good time, we will be prompt in starting the walk.
We will be treading some uneven pathways, bear this in mind if you have restricted mobility. Do also please make sure you have suitable footwear,

The tour will wrap up at 12:15 to allow you enough time to take lunch before making your way to the BMI in time for the afternoon meeting.
Plenty of cafes and hostelries can be found locally.

Book thru the on line shop click here – Key Hill Cemetery Guided Walk

Click here for activities and details of the Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane Cemetery
