Midlands Historical Data News : 02/12/2003

• More about this project
• Latest CD Releases

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1. More about our project 

New releases
Today we are releasing a number of directories, some books, and another 5 early histories of Birmingham. A couple of these [Visitation or Warwickshire and Gentleman's Magazine (1754)] were produced because of specific requests from customers. If you want a copy of a book or directory from the Midlands area, and cannot see it on this site, please do ask us - we do have good access to local libraries, and may well be able to find what you want.

We are also releasing an electoral roll. We think these have much to offer the genealogist, particularly in the periods between censuses - and also post-1901 which is the most recent under the "100 year rule". Generally, the typeface is good, and this means that Optical Character recognition works quite well. For the early Burgess rolls that were produced in alphabetical order this is not so valuable, but for the later ones which were produced in address order it provides the only way we know of producing an index quickly. We would like to hear from any of you who would like to see more electoral rolls on CD.

Web-site enhancements
We have made some minor changes to the web-site to make it easier to navigate. The home page has been updated, and also the left hand menu bar to make it clearer.

In response tpo a customer request, we have also added a page on Shipping, which summarises the post 7 packing charges which we make. Post & packing is charged at cost, and can only be calculated once the destination of the products is known. This does not occur until Checkout, so we have provided an additional page which can be reached by folloiwing the "Shipping" link under the heading "Practical" from the home page or left hand menu bar.

Thank you for your support
The project is funded through sales of CD's, so our thanks go to each of you who have purchased our CD's.  Please continue to support the project by buying the CD's, as with continued funding we can continue to expand the range of directories available. Any comments you have on the CD's will be welcome.  We can only continue to survive by pleasing you, our customers, so please let us have your views - good and bad. You can use this link to provide feedback: mailto:enquiries@midlandshistoricaldata.org  

In passing, if any of you want a copy of a specific directory, do let us know via the feedback link, and we will see what we can do to track it down. In time, we aim to publish the Newsletter on a fortnightly basis, but for the first few issues will probably do this on a monthly basis.

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2. Latest CD releases 

To order any of these, please click the link (if it has arrived in your mailbox), or visit our web-site, where these titles are now available. 

Directories

Visitation of Warwickshire (1619)

This is a reprint published in 1877 by the Harleian Society of William Camden's survey of the pedigrees of the leading families in the County of Warwickshire in 1619. It contains a family tree of each of 230 families in the county, and is illustrated with the coat of arms of each family. At the end of the book is a very thorough name index. A vital source for anyone researching this period in Warwickshire. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry.

Pigot's Directory of Derbyshire (1828)

Typical Pigot's County Directory of the period. Descriptions of each place, plus lists of traders, details of post offices, churches, carriers, coaches, etc. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library and Dudley Archives & Local History Service.

White's Directory & Gazetteer of Birmingham (1849)

Another magnificent history and directory from Francis White & Co. covering the Borough of Birmingham, Aston, Soho, Handsworth, Castle Bromwich, Witton, Erdington, Saltley, Ward End & Water Orton. Contains both an alphabetic and classified list of traders in each location. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

Slater's National Commercial Directory (1859)

As it says on the title page this is "Slater's (Late Pigot & Co.) Royal National Commercial Directory and Topography of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and North and South Wales, comprising classified lists of the merchants, bankers, professional gentlemen, manufacturers and traders in the above counties, and also of the Nobility, Gentry and Clergy together with alphabetical lists of the residents of the larger and more populous towns; with historical sketches of each town and an account of every mode of transit for passengers and merchandise; also, the postal regulations of each place, and a variety of miscellaneous information; bankers of the United Kingdom with their branches." Couldn't put it better myself. If you only want individual counties at £10 (£11.75 inc. VAT) each then please follow this link. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Morris's Business Directory of Birmingham (1862)

An unusual early business directory of Birmingham in that it was not compiled by the usual publishers, but by London publisher J S C Morris and 38 Birmingham residents. Consequently, it does contain some small traders who do not appear elsewhere - I know because I found my great great grandfather who is otherwise almost invisible. It is solely a business directory, classified by trade, but the typeface seems good enough for the search facility to work very well, so finding an individual should not be difficult. An interesting directory from a rather sparse period for Birmingham records. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham & Midland Institute.

Jones Mercantile Directory of the Iron District (1865)

Jones's Commercial Directory of The Iron District of South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire. Contains a directory of traders by town/village, together with a description of each location. Covers Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Brierley Hill, Bromsgrove, Cradley Heath, Darlaston, Dudley, Halesowen, Handsworth, Kinver, Kingswitsford, Moxley, Netherton, Old Swinford, Pensnett, Redditch, Rowley Regis, Sedgley, Smethwick, Soho, Stourbridge, Tipton, Walsall, Wednesbury, Wednesfield, West Bromwich, Willenhall. An excellent and very comprehensive directory. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Birmingham Burgess Roll (1868)

List of the 14,000 voters eligible to vote in the Birmingham in the following wards - Ladywood, All Saints', Hampton, Saint George's, Saint Mary's, Saint Paul's, Market Hall, Saint Peter's, Saint Matthew's, Saint Thomas's, Edgbaston, Deritend and Bordesley and Duddeston-Cum-Nechells. Eligibilty depended on a property qualification, and the list shows the address of the property which entitled the named individual to vote. An invaluable source between censuses. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

Littlebury's Gazetteer & Directory of Worcestershire (1873)

A huge directory and gazetteer of Worcestershire, comprising pp 1,417. Lists private residents and traders for each town and village in the county. Also contains many pages of advertisements. Is supplemented by lists of traders from the immediately surrounding area, particularly Birmingham and South Staffordshire - although these supplemental lists do not appear to be as comprehensive as the rest of the directory. An excellent resource. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Mark & Moody's Stourbridge Almanack (1888)

Another of Mark & Moody's local Almanacks. They cover Stourbridge and the surrounding area, including Brieley Hill, Kingswinford, Pensnett, Amblecote and Wordsley - and further afield to Clent, Churchill, Blakedown and Belbroughton. Describes each area and its institutions, and has a list of residents and traders. An invaluable local guide. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Mark & Moody's Stourbridge Almanack (1891)

Another of Mark & Moody's excellent local Almanacks. An invaluable local guide. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Kelly's Directory for Staffordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire (1921)

Typically thorough Kelly's Directory for Staffordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire. Covers the whole of each county, and has a map for Staffordshire & Warwickshire. For each county, there is an alphabetic and classified commercial directory, and list of private residents. An essential resource. All three counties are available at the special price of £17.50 (inc. VAT) - but if you only want one county at the lower price of £11.75 (inc. VAT) please follow the appropriate link to either Staffordshire, Warwickshire, or Worcestershire. Kindly loaned to the project by Stourbridge Library.

Books

Gentleman's Magazine (1754)

Gentleman's Magazine for 1754. More details on the Gentleman's Magazine. Kindly loaned to the project by BMSGH. Not the year you want? See our special subscription offer to obtain the Gentleman's magazine from any year between 1732 and 1818.

Jabet's Concise History of Birmingham (1817)

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.

Historic and descriptive sketch of Birmingham (1830)

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.

Stranger's Guide to Birmingham (1830)

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.

Modern Birmingham and its institutions : 1841-1871, J. A. Langford (1873)

This is a continuation of Langford's Century of Birmingham Life (see above), which covered the years 1741 - 1841. It is written in much the same style, drawing heavily on newspaper articles and advertisements to amplify the historical narrative. An essential companion to the earlier work, and a very useful contemporary guide to the history of the period, written by someone who participated in many events. Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

The Making of Birmingham, Robert K Dent (1894)

This is Robert Dent's second history of Birmingham. It is even better illustrated than the first (Old & New Birmingham - see above), and contains quite a lot of new material. In Dent's own words "During the fifteen years which have elapsed since the completion of the former work I have devoted my leisure hours to further research in the fascinating subject of the early history of our town, in which I have had the pleasure and advantage of being allied with some of the most devoted students of local archaeology. From the materials accumulated during this period I trust I have been able to present a fuller picture of the life and growth of the town; while the experience of the past has prevented undue proportion being given to some less important phases of old Birmingham life." Kindly loaned to the project by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

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