All the latest news & events locally...
Information about the BCS...
Articles from around the local area...
Information about membership to the BCS...
Review of the Blackcountryman...
links to other sites you may find interesting...
Publications you may also find interesting...
10 things you didn't know about the Black Country
Information on how to contact us...

The Society has meetings at six different venues throughout The Black Country. To see their locations, please go to the News + Events section for the latest information.

The following are links to other related websites which have information that may be useful or that you may find interesting:

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Site
Description
84f A site dedicated to Stourbridge and the railway and industrial history of the south-west Black Country. The web address comes from the fact that Stourbridge Junction locomotives displayed the code 84f

ABE Books

A free commercial online booksearch facility for out of print and second-hand books.
Agenoria and the Stourbridge Lion A page on the Dudley Mall site, dedicated to the two most famous locomotives to originate from Stourbridge
Aldridge Site contains details of many businesses and services and some information on the "village in the Borough of Walsall". Hopefully, there will be more articles on the village as the site develops.
Alton Douglas homepage Well-known Birmingham author Alton now has his own web site. Visit and see details of some of the many books he has published about Birmingham and regional history, including a good selection of Black Country books.
Austin Memories A relatively new site, dedicated to the Austion Motor Company and encompassing all things such as Leyland, Longbridge, MG, Wolseley. Contains a blog so you can leave your memories about the company. Well worth a visit.
BBC Main site of the British Broadcasting Corporation - a comprehensive site with thousands of pages and much of interest.
BBC Black Country Site What do the BBC think of the Black Country, some duplication with the Birmingham site.
BBCi Legacies page (Black Country) The Legacies website allows the user an opportunity to contribute their own opinions with comment boxes at the bottom of each article in addition to the message boards where you can have more in-depth discussions about the topics you want to talk about. Users can also have their own stories published in the Your articles section.
Billyspakemon Brian Dakin is one of the foremost exponents of the Black Country dialect. He is studying for his Phd at Wolverhampton University and is a driving force behind "Roosterkatespake" a co-operative dedicated to promoting creativity in the Black Country. Visit the site for information on gigs and Brian and his works.
Birmingham City Council Official site for Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham Forum Birmingham Forum is a forum for discussing all aspects of Birmingham life, local issues, history, nightlife, events, activities, etc.
Birmingham Research Links Birmingham Library recommended websites for those interested in local and family research (will open in new window).
Black Country Anglo-Saxon Society A new, local site that celebrates being English. Not in a political sense, though the subject matter could be interpreted as such. This site is included because of links to other historical sites that may be of use to researchers.
Black Country Chamber and Business Link

Black Country Chamber is a membership organisation, offering a range of business support services and networking opportunities designed to meet the needs of owners and managers.
Any organisation that seeks to promote the Black Country and maintain it's position deserves support. The site is well laid out and is worthy of a visit for information on the region.

Black Country Living Museum Official site of the Black Country Living Museum - contains much of interest for the Black Country historian.
Black Country Podcasting The newest form of Internet radio - download Laurence Hipkiss' weekly programme and listen off-line.
Black Country Pubs A new site, mainly pictures of pubs at present, but a promise of historical facts.
Black Country Tourism Site created by Black Country Tourism.
Black Country TV A New Digital Broadband Television Service Launching soon. We Aim to Bring coverage of Local Sporting Events, Local Events and General Community News for Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall & Surrounding Areas. But we Need Your Support .
Boats and Canals of the World Not specifically a Black Country related site, but worth a visit if you are interested in canals
"Bornal" Website A humourous site - no prizes for guessing where Bornal is mind
British Relay Wireless From the 1930s to the early 70's there was what seems an almost forgotten method of broadcasting that of relay wireless (seems a strange name for something that was anything but wire-less, but that's what it was called). In Brierley Hill this was provided by "British Relay Wireless" (later to become "British Relay" when they also relayed TV.) All council houses and schools were wired up with a 4 station audio system and subscribers had a station selector and a speaker. Another site created by Mick Mearman, will be of interest to you.
Canal Boatmen This site, developed by Gerald Caswell, contains details of a number of canal families, including many from in and around the Black Country There is also an invitation for people to submit their own canal families.
Canal Junction Site dedicated to the canal museum and Black Country Museum. An excellent site for anyone interested in canal history in the area (and nationwide).
Cradley Links The Cradley Links site is back, having been off-line for some time, now under new management and a new look. We wish them well
Crutchley History History of the Bloxwich/Walsall based family. An interesting genealogy site, even more so if you have Crutchleys in your family tree.
Culture Blog - West Midlands Pete Millington edits an online culture and heritage blog called "Spaghetti Gazetti" all about life in that weird and wonderful place we call the West Midlands. Please take a look if you have two minutes to spare. Send him your news and creative writing, etc. Whilst this is not Black Country specific there is plenty of Black Country information.
Davenport Brewery A website built around a commemorative book, published in 1935 to celebrate 50 years of Davenports. Remember the advert - "Beer at home means Davenports". OK, they were a Birmingham Brewery, but deliveries went on across the Black Country.
Dudley Genealogy A site dedicated to the ""Dudley"" name. The author is based in San Antonio, Texas.
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Official site of Dudley MBC - omprehensive site dealing with all aspects of Dudley, including Dudley Archives and Local History Service.
English Heritage Contains details of all English Heritage properties open to the public and information regarding the work of English Heritage.
Express & Star The Black Country's newspaper, most of the content is relevant to the Black Country.
Francis Asbury Welcome to the only website dedicated to the life and ministry of Bishop Francis Asbury (1745-1816), the Methodist preacher from the Black Country of England who evangelised the frontier and transformed the United States of America.
Free Census Project A site of interest to historians and genealogists alike. The site is starting to include Staffordshire entries, of interest to Black Country researchers.
Friends of Priory Park Web site Mission Statement of the site: "To return the Park and Green to the community for their leisure and pleasure"
Gornal based website "Yampy" A very local site focussing on all things to do with Gornal. Businesses, information news and views. If you live in Gornal, or want to know about it there is a good chance it will be here.
Harris & Pearson Office The Harris and Pearson building is a well known local landmark and a grade II listed building.The remarkable front elevation is constructed of refractory and polychromatic brickwork and terracotta detailing all made at the works from local clay.
Heart of England - The Black Country Heart of England Black Country pages.
Henry Cort This 18th century engineer was featured in a couple of articles in The Blackcountryman a while ago. A website has now been created about the importance and profound effect Cort had on the Black Country. The site has been created by Eric Alexander who wrote the articles featured in the magazine.
Henry Tudor Not sure how useful this site may be as a Black Country resource, but given the general history of the region there will be some links. Very useful as a general resource, aimed partly at schools, it is colourful and easy reading.
History of Oldbury Oldbury, Langley and Warley History Societies, this is an expanding new site, worthy of a visit. It can be found by clicking on the link.
History of Wollaston Group A well-researched and interesting local history group website concerned with all aspects of Wollaston's history.
History Today A General history magazine for both the academic and non-specialist historian.
Images of England From the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage. Over 280000 images online
Images - Engliah Heritage This is English Heritage's own 45000 catalogue of images available on-line. Not Black Country-specific
Industrial Archaeology Group The information contained in this site will be of great use to anyone who is interested or carrying out research in to the social and industrial history of the Black Country area.
Internet Library of Early Journals A specialist site which is very useful for browsing eighteenth and nineteenth century magazines and journals.
ITV Midlands Lichfield transmitter site This site is all about ITV's Midlands (405 lines) Transmitter at Lichfield and contains photos inside the station and of the first and later masts with film of the laying of the ballbearing under the new mast (1961) also an 'open day' and the closing down (405 switch off 1984) it's called 'Bob Cotton's Lichfield Memories'. Another site from Mick Mearman.
Kates Hill Press Local publisher specialising in Black Country material. Well worth a visit to see what is for sale and what is coming up.
Keoz.com - a ""vertical links"" portal Useful as a site to find sites linked by a common theme, e.g. history.
Longlands School Site. Useful photgraph archive (currently back to 1912). Also of great interest to former pupils as they are developing a contact list for ex-pupils. Administered by Paul Gardner and Kevin James.
Maritime Records British Maritime History -Realistic genealogical guides to surviving records and more...Mercantile & Naval. You may find this useful, but not a Black Country specific site
Midlands Pubs A good source of information about pubs across the region, some general info as well. Thanks to Edgar Bloor for spotting it.
National Trust Contains details of all National Trust properties and land open to the public, along with information about the National Trust.
Ned Williams Respected and prolific Black Country author, regular contributor to The Blackcountryman.
Priestley Centenary 1904 A reproduction of a book published in 1904 including advertisements - the book was by Dr Priestley and covers many churches in the midlands (including the Black Country). This site has been off-line for some time, but now has a new address. The site was created by Mick Mearman.
Public Record Office A magnificent site - a real national treasure! Contains comprehensive details of the vast holdings of the PRO, including a very well-designed catalogue.
Remembering You Gravecare Remembering You is a company that specialises is tending for graves in Birmingham and the Black Country. They will also research a grave plot for an additional fee.
Rowley Regis Site A new site concentrating on the Rowley Regis area. Glad to link to this site, it looks very slick.
Sandwell MBC Contains comprehensive information about Sandwell MBC.
Sedgley Manor site Growing historical and genealogy site, created by Ian Beach. Contains many useful subjects, biographies, medical terms, dialect, photographs etc.
Smethwick Heritage Centre The centre situated in the ex-park keeper's lodge in Victoria Park, High Street, Smethwick is well worth a visit.
Smethwick Local History Society The society has been in existence for over 20 years and have a flourishing membership of around 150 and have always maintained an interesting programme.
Spartacus This site is specifically designed for use by schools' history departments, and is geared to the National Curriculum.
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society This website is just about to have it's 4th year since it's conception back in 2001. The society was formed in 1959 by individuals who were concerned about the future of the canal, convinced that it needed a body to protect and promote its use. At the time the canal was under threat of closure, and ensuring its future became the first task of the newly formed society.
Apart from the notable undertakings, the society is constantly involved with developments along the canal and is regularly involved on planning proposals and projects by other bodies.
The society also holds monthly meetings attended by guest speakers, runs many events throughout the year an produces a monthly magazine called "Broadsheet"

Staffordshire History This site contains much of interest to the Staffordshire historian.
Staffordshire Web Staffordshire County Council website. Contains information on all aspects of Staffordshire life.
St John's Church Preservation Group This is the website of the group looking to save the historic St John's Church in Kates Hill - damaged in the "Dudley earthquake"
The Black Country Website Some useful information, weighted towards Dudley.
This is the Black Country A commercial site run by the Newsquest group.
Tools and Trades History Society The Tools and Trades History Society (TATHS) was founded in 1983 to further the knowledge and understanding of hand tools and the trades and people that used them. The tools and equipment of historic trades are now often the only surviving evidence of what were once common everyday activities. The Society seeks to preserve these artifacts and to investigate, record and interpret the past and present performance of trades.
Top Church Dudley New site dedicated to the church of St. Thomas and St. Luke - locally known as the Top Church. Plenty of history and information.
Walsall Art Gallery The official website for the magnificent new Art Gallery at Walsall.
Walsall MBC The official website for Walsall MBC.
West Midland Bird Club Serving birdwatchers and ornithologists in the four English counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Metropolitan West Midlands since 1929.

West Midland Ghost Club A simple site produced by the club who have an interest in all things paranormal.
West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust The Trust was set up in 1985 to identify 'Buildings at Risk' in the West Midlands and to encourage their refurbishment. It is currently attempting to produce a scheme to restore Corngreaves Hall, Cradley Heath.
Wildlife Trust - Black Country site The Wildlife Trust aims to make B'ham and the Black Country a better place for wildlife and people - visit their site.
Winchurch Family Good example of a family history site, Winchurch has origins in Dudley. This site has lots of information on the family.
Wolverhampton Historic Landscape Characterisation This web page is the result of the ongoing Historic Landscape Characterisation of the Black Country. In particular, the 12 character area profiles that fall within Wolverhampton are now available to download. A useful resource for those interested in the Wolverhampton area. Part of Black Country Archaeology Service Regeneration and Environment, Wolverhampton City Council.
Wolverhampton Railway Gazette A site celebrating this long-lost magazine. It only lasted 6 issues, but those issues contained many useful and interesting articles.
Working Life A new and dynamicphotographic website celebrating the lives of British workers has gone live. The images focus on the men and women who created the country’s wealth, rather than upon the product of their labour. There are a number of Black Country-related photographs (including Bilston steelworks) and this site is a welcome addition to the Internet.
Link Graveyard
Sites featured on this page that are no longer available, kept in case they are resurrected.
Archaeology Resources archaeology related news, books and web resources. A large site with lots of information including an industrial section.
Geology Resources Geology related news, books and web resources. A US site, with plenty of geology resources, including mining, which will be particularly important to the Black Country researcher.
Mid-England Books Run by John Boynton, whose interest is railway books. Site is commercial and you can buy rail orientated titles.
Public Art on the Black Country route Site dedicated to the public art to be found on the Black Country route by David Scott.
The BC Network Site A whole host of links from shops, community, government, entertainment, fun stuff and much more.
The Black Country Dialect A site dedicated to our dialect.
UK Archival Repositories on the Net A fairly recent and comprehensive gazetteer of archival sites in the United Kingdom.

email the web master Mick Pearson:
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