Hagley Historical and Field Society

In recent times it has become popular to research family history. The Internet has made it much easier to access the census returns taken every 10 years and which are one of the vital genealogical resources now available online. Probably the most popular website is Ancestry.com (there are others) but there is normally a charge made for using it on your home computer. Luckily, you can use it for free at Hagley Library by arrangement and also get some friendly advice on how to start.

The first census taken in 1801 will be of little use as it only contains simple headcounts for each locality. It was primarily conducted in response to the threat of Napoleonic invasion to ascertain how many potential men would be available for conscription. In the Hagley Parish archives we still have the original summons requesting the Constable of Hagley to present himself in Stourbridge to record the Hagley count. From 1841 and onwards the names of everyone in each household was recorded. Now is the time to quiz your family elders for their full names, dates of birth and places of birth before starting your research and perhaps record their anecdotes of childhood.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4th October. There will be a presentation by Mary Bodfish entitled ‘Made in Smethwick’. Smethwick has a surprisingly rich and varied history and she will describe how a mere Anglo-Saxon hamlet became a Victorian boom-town producing many products which have become household names. Mary is a member and current chairman of Smethwick Local History Society. She has taught local history research and palaeography for the University of Birmingham’s School of Continuing Studies.

Visitors are most welcome at all our events – see home page for details and contacts.