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Discover your ancestors in online archives from the West Midlands of England

Does your family story begin in Birmingham? Maybe your lineage leads to Ledbury? Or your roots originate in Rugby? Whatever your connection to the West Midlands of England, Findmypast has the records you need to unlock the bigger picture of your past.

A whistlestop history of England’s West Midlands

The West Midlands region of England includes the historic counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, as well as the West Midlands, a metropolitan county.

The region is incredibly diverse, including seven urban areas, three rural counties that border Wales and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If your family tree first took root in this region of England, your ancestors could have branched out into pottery, engineering, carpet weaving, farming or market gardening.

The West Midlands is home to the world’s first cast iron bridge at Ironbridge Gorge and the world’s oldest continually published newspaper, the Berrow’s Journal. It's also the birthplace of William Shakespeare, who grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The game of rugby, Cadbury’s chocolate, and heavy metal music all originated in England's West Midlands.

A tram ride through historic Victoria Square, Birmingham.

Herefordshire emblem: ancestry records online

Herefordshire

Possibly best known for its orchards and cider, Herefordshire has long been considered a rich agricultural area. The lush landscape is perfect for growing hops and rearing farm animals, like the famous Hereford cattle, whose beef has been exported worldwide. Does your family trace back to Kington, Ledbury or Ross-on-Wye?

Shropshire emblem: ancestry records online

Shropshire

Salop is the old name for Shropshire and its residents are still called Salopians. The county has no cities and its smallest town, Clun, has a population of just 680, according to the 2011 Census. North Shropshire has a rich industrial heritage associated with mining and engineering. The south of the county is more rural where pastoral farming is common.

Staffordshire emblem: ancestry records online

Staffordshire

Prevalent Staffordshire industries like pottery, coal, gypsum and glass date back to the Middles Ages. The county's trade expanded into iron, metal, clay, brewing, salt, leather and textiles during the 16th and 17th centuries, and beyond through the Industrial Revolution. Did your ancestors earn a crust working in any of Staffordshire's varied ventures? 

Warwickshire emblem: ancestry records online

Warwickshire

To be Warwickshire, or not to be Warwickshire, that is the question in this county famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Most people live in the north and middle of the county, while the south is more sparsely populated. Birmingham, the UK's second-biggest city, was once a market town in Warwickshire. The county has been part of the West Midlands region of England since 1974. 

Worcestershire emblem: ancestry records online

Worcestershire

Worcestershire was first constituted as a county of the unified Kingdom of England in 927. Its borders have changed over the years but in 1998, after being part of the county of Hereford and Worcester, it was reconstituted as Worcestershire. Among many other notable game-changers to originate in the county, Worcestershire sauce has been adding a kick to mealtimes since 1837.

Everything you need to uncover family history in England's West Midlands

From essential church registers to detail-rich directories and poignant military records, Findmypast is your one-stop-shop for tracing ancestors from Birmingham and the surrounding area.

Unrivalled discoveries. Unbeatable value

"My family research is mainly focused on Staffordshire and it’s clear that Findmypast has the best records for this area."

Paula

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1921 census: Collage of life in the 1920s

What was Birmingham like in the 1920s?

The 1921 Census documents the details of everyone living in England and Wales on 19 June that year. Only available online at Findmypast, explore this snapshot of life in the West Midlands to discover where your relatives were and what they were doing at the time.

Unearth incredible stories in online newspaper archives from the West Midlands

Behind every headline, there's an ancestor. Find yours in the world's largest online collection of British newspapers.

Find family stories in every corner of England

If your family went further than the West Midlands, we've got you covered. Our extensive record collections cover the length and breadth of England, from the largest cities to the smallest hamlets. Where will your past take you?

Select a region from the map or drop-down list to discover exclusive local record collections and learn about the history of England, county by county.

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