A study of the first known inhabitants of Birmingham from the 13th to the 16th Century. Toulmin Smith worked from original property deeds, wills, indentures and leases, many of which were still in private hands at the time he wrote this book in 1864. This is a fascinating and very well researched history of the early development of Birmingham. To see which family names are referenced follow this link to the name index. Kindly loaned to the project by BMSGH

In 1884 Mr W B Bickley found a manuscript in the Public Record Office which contained a survey of Birmingham made in 1553. He took this, and together with some other contemporary sources constructed a "conjectural map" of the town at that time. With an introduction by well known local historian Joseph Hill. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

William Hutton is generally attributed with writing the first history of Birmingham. He came to Birmingham in 1741 and remained there until his death in 1814. Although his bibliography leaves a lot to be desired, the fact that he was an eyewitness to the development of the city in the late 18th century is the real value of his history. It summarises the development of the buildings in the town, of trade and commerce, of the political and religious climate. He published the book in 1781, and published later editions with more information. After his death, his daughter Catherine Hutton continued his work - and the 4th edition, published in 1819, contains additions she made.

Hutton mentioned many individuals who took leading roles in the life of the city in the 18th century, and if you are lucky you will find an ancestor. To help you find out, for the 4th edition I have provided a name index and a place index which gives a page number reference in the book.

On this CD are the 1st edition, 2nd edition (1783), 4th edition (1819) [with full transcription] and 6th edition. The 1st and 2nd editions contain Hanson's map of Birmingham (1781), and the 6th edition Guest's map of Birmingham (1835). There are numerous engravings in the 1st, 2nd and 6th editions. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

One of a number of accounts of Birmingham by William Hutton. He sat as a magistrate in the Court of Requests, which dealt with petty crime and disputes in Birmingham. He describes many of the most memorable cases he dealt with, and how they were resolved using as much his own common sense as the letter of the law. A fascinating social document, with many people named in cases. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

An unusual and very early illustrated directory of Birmingham. Contains over 50 engravings which illustrate the various market sectors in the Birmingham economy, with the names of the leading manufacturers in each section. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

William Hutton died in 1814 at the age of 92. He was a remarkable Birmingham man in many ways - a successful bookseller, author, a magistrate. Yet he was not a native of Birmingham, and was hounded out in the "Priestley Riots" of 1791. He wrote many local historical accounts, and a few of these are available from this web-site.

Most of this book is auto-biographical, but the last chapter was written by his daughter Catherine. William Hutton witnessed the establishment of Birmingham as the power-house of the industrial revolution in England, and wrote about it in his own inimitable style. This is both a biography and fascinating eye-witness account of the development of the City. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

An early history of Birmingham. Date is guessed from the content of the books. Contains a street map of the centre of Birmingham. Contains some interesting contemporary descriptions of "Manufactories". Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

Drake produced this book after the style of William Hutton, in that he covers the history of the city, describes its situation, and then describes the city street by street in a series of "rambles" around the town. Nicely illustrated with a number of engravings. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

An early illustrated description of Birmingham and its surrounding district. Contains over 40 charming engravings. Describes all the local institutions - places of worship, clubs, societies, theatres, charitable institutions, scientific and literary establishments, public offices and joint stock establishments. A very useful contemporary description of Birmingham. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

An interesting early description of Birmingham " with an account of its Public Offices & institutions, its show rooms and manufactories. with observations on the descriptive of the topography, antiquities, and manufactories, of Soho, Handsworth, West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Darlaston, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull, Meriden, Sutton Coldfield, Coleshill, Castle Bromwich, Edgbaston, Harborne, Hales Owen, King's Norton and also the Interesting Scenery of the Leasowes, Great Barr, Barr Beacon, Maxstoke Castle, Balsall, &c". Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.