West Midlands2

From the Family Tree Forum Reference Library

The West Midlands region was formed in 1974 and includes Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Solihull.

In central England, bordering Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire, it is one of the most heavily urbanised counties in the UK. It grew rapidly during the industrial revolution due to plentiful supplies of coal and iron ore. This led to parts of the region being known as 'The Black Country'.

Birmingham was widely known for small arms manufacture, Willenhall and Wolverhampton for lock and key making, Dudley for chain making and other metal work and Walsall for leather goods. Coventry was known for wool and cloth manufacture from the middle ages, but is better known in recent history for car and bicycle manufacture.

Despite the county being heavily urbanised, there are some areas of green belt that remain - the largest being between Birmingham and Coventry. It is here that visitors can view the Meridian Cross, which marks the centre of the country.

Other attractions include the Black Country Living Museum, Coventry Cathedral, Cadbury World, Whitwick Manor and the redeveloped Birmingham Bullring shopping centre.

Link to: Staffordshire

Link to: Worcestershire

Link to: Warwickshire

Link to: West Midlands Archives offices

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