Midland Ancestors

Why not give the gift of membership with Midland Ancestors this Father’s Day?

You can grow your family tree with the help of the Midland Ancestors Family History Centre in the Kingsley Norris Room at The Birmingham & Midland Institute.

The Centre houses the group Reference Library and also has computers from which you can access the internet and all digital resources we hold.

We are also a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This latter allows access to an estimated 400 million + images of original records that you will not be able to see at home.
Our own Resources are estimated to hold 8.5 million + data entries.
The volunteer staff are experienced in family history research and will be able to guide you to appropriate resources. You can also access the library catalogue and most of the societies indexes and all resources, all at no cost.

Midland Ancestors Reference Library
The Reference Library contains almost 10,000 books, microfiche, microfilm, maps, and computer-based resources. You will find parish registers, cemetery register images, monumental inscriptions, wills, censuses, trade directories and deposited family histories.
Items in this Library are for reference only and must not be removed under any circumstances.

Monthly Group meetings at

Warwickshire- Birmingham and Kenilworth
Staffordshire- Wolverhampton & Stoke on Trent
Worcestershire- Stourbridge
London and Home Counties

The Midland Ancestor Journal
There are four issues each year, with articles covering a wide range of topics.
Keep up to date with what's going on in family history at local, national and international level.
Learn about the latest resources. Read about other members' research experiences.

Search Services
We maintain and continue to build Baptism, Marriage and Burial Indexes for Birmingham, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. (Birmingham is treated separately from Warwickshire in this context simply because it is so large). We have a variety of other specialist indexes, such as cemetery interment registers, monumental inscriptions, wills & probate, and poor law. These are shown on the Search Services pages.

Publications List
A full listing of the Society's publications can be viewed via our online shop, together with a selection of more general publications. If there is any publication that is not listed, please contact our Bookshop Manager who may be able to obtain copies.
Visit the Midland Ancestors online shop

Names Match Service – Members' Interests
Are other people looking for the same ancestors as you? You may be able to share your research for mutual progress in tracing your ancestors. Only members of Midland Ancestors may publish their interests on this system, but everyone is free to make contact. More details here

Midland Ancestors, the public face Birmingham & Midland Society of Genealogy and Heraldry. Monthly Group Meetings

https://midland-ancestors.uk/support-us/

The BMI in Birmingham will be closed on Friday, 5 June; therefore, the Family History Centre and its facilities will be unavailable.

FAMILY HISTORY SURVEY INVITATION - 'THE ROLE OF MATERIAL OBJECTS IN FAMILY HISTORY PRACTICES' You are invited to participate in a research study about how people practise family history in everyday life with the use of material objects. Its aim is to examine how items that previously belonged to deceased relatives continue to play a role in individual family practices (e.g. how they are discussed, used, and passed on), and whether there are differences across generations in the approach to the history and meaning of these objects. This survey forms part of a Master’s dissertation research project in the History of the Family at the University of Limerick.
You can participate if you own such a material object or know of one in your family - this will determine the set of questions you will see. You will only be asked about ONE object of your choice.

TO TAKE THE SURVEY, PLEASE VISIT:

https://unioflimerick.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Ieo0bAon0JERD0

OR IF YOU NEED TO TYPE IT IN, USE: bit.ly/familyobjects (Bitly provides a convenient way of shortening links, but sometimes shows an additional preview page – just click ‘Continue to destination’)

A paper version of this survey can be picked up and dropped off at Screamin’ Beans and the Churchview Bakery in Wollaston.
It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete this survey (26 questions).

This survey will remain open until 11.45 pm (GMT) on Sunday, 17 May 2026.
Thank you for your participation!
Dominika Nala

Just a reminder to members that the Midland Ancestors Family History Centre at the BMI in Margaret Street will be closed on Monday, 4 and 25 May

Easter Greetings, Midland Ancestors Family History Centre will reopen on Tuesday, 7 April, situated on the ground floor of the BMI, Margaret Street, Birmingham.

Midland Ancestors Family History Centre - Midland Ancestors You can grow your family tree with the help of the Midland Ancestors Family History Centre in the Kingsley Norris Room at The Birmingham & Midland Institute. The Centre houses […]

Good morning, what will you discover this week at Midland Ancestors Family History Centre, at the BMI, Margaret St?
Opening Times and details here
https://midland-ancestors.uk/about/libraries/

Hidden Birmingham: One Day Only! Sat 9 May 2026
Explore the secrets of the Jewellery Quarter with our unique heritage tours.
Delve into the empty Chambers in Key Cemetery Catacombs.
Step into the single underground tunnel in Warstone Lane Cemetery.
Both locations were used as Air Raid Shelters during WWII
Meeting Point: Inside Warstone Lane Cemetery (for both Key Hill & Warstone tours).
Booking Info:
A separate booking is required for each tour.
More time slots are being added soon!
All proceeds go directly toward vital restoration work.
Please view the F.A.Q’s on each booking page before purchasing tickets.
Book your spot here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/friends-of-key-hill-warstone-lane-cemeteries-34048000247

Saturday 18 April 2026, First Steps in Family History.
At the Family History Centre, Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham.
Please contact Kim to book a place and for further details.

EVENTS: Introduction to Family History for beginners and those who have compiled a little research, but are unsure what to do next. FREE, 5-week course at Perton Library & Wombourne Library with Midland Ancestors.
Places are limited. Details and contact numbers are in the post.

On 10 December from 12.00 to 15.30, we will be switching off the public document ordering system to test manual processes. This helps us prepare for real-life outages and keep services resilient.

What does this mean?

- Only onsite ordering services will be impacted.
- Some services may be slower during this time.
- Your patience and participation make this test more effective!

Thanks for helping us build stronger, more reliable services for the future.