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  3. Burntwood Family History Group

Burntwood Family History Group

We are pleased to be working in partnership with Burntwood Family History Group which was founded in 1986 by a group of local enthusiasts, many of whom have remained involved to this day.

The society draws current membership from a wide area in and around southern Staffordshire. This includes the Burntwood area itself, the three spired cathedral city of Lichfield, the villages of Cannock Chase, and the northern parts of the Black Country (most of which was originally part of Staffordshire). However, the Group’s membership is very broad, with members dotted all across the UK; with some members from Canada and Australia.

Burntwood Family History Group is a member of the Family History Federation and membership is open to anyone with an interest in local and family history. Details of how to join can be found on the “How to Join” page on the website.

The famous Staffordshire Hoard was discovered in a field less than three miles from the societies current meeting place. Evidence of the area’s mining past abounds, in the memorials to the miners and in the names of public houses.

Staffordshire Parish Records

The Burntwood Family History Group have contributed to our collection of parish records for Staffordshire. You can browse through records of marriages and banns, burials and baptisms to discover more details about your ancestors from the Burntwood area and beyond.

England Roman Catholic Parish Congregational Records

The Burntwood Family History Group have also made contributions to our Roman Catholic Parish Congregational records collection which covers the years 1657-1907.

You can use this collection to search for Catholic ancestors in Staffordshire and discover details about the congregation they were a member of or details on events such as as their confirmation or confessions.

Search England Roman Catholic Parish Congregational Records

Additional information

Monthly Meetings

In common with many groups, BFHG was forced to adapt to the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic. Through meetings held on Zoom, they uncovered a hidden benefit as distant members were able to join with local members for the first time. They now hold hybrid meetings, with the physical proceedings being streamed live to members who cannot attend in person. A major upgrade to the website in 2018 has allowed edited versions of many of their Zoom talks to be posted on their website.

You can also use the computer facilities at the venue and this allows access to the Group’s subscription to Findmypast.

Maps showing how to reach the meetings at Chase Terrace Academy are provided on the page “Where and When We Meet” on the website. A warm welcome awaits any visitor to Burntwood Family History Group.

Burntwood Family History Group Website

There is an enormous amount of material freely available on the website. This includes information and a large number of photographs of Burntwood and the towns and villages of the surrounding area, their landmarks and their war memorials.

Burntwood Memorial Project

The 25th anniversary of the Group’s formation saw the launch of the Burntwood Memorial Project, the Group’s way of marking the centenary of the First World War. Group members researched surnames that appear on local war memorials, or in local newspapers and documents of the time. Commemorative biographies were written about the soldiers who served and – in most cases – gave their lives for their country. These biographies can be found on the “Servicemen” page of the website. The project, which was supported by a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, also includes some biographies for servicemen who served in subsequent conflicts.

Burntwood Family History Group Journal

The Burntwood Family History Group Journal is published quarterly and is available free of charge to group members. The Editor is always pleased to receive items for the Journal. If you have articles or photographs, stories or artwork that you would like us to include in the Journal, please contact the group using the link on the “Contact Us” page on the website.

Help and Support

If you are researching your ancestors from the towns and villages in our area, you are welcome to contact us for help and advice. We are only too glad to get you started and to provide our local knowledge. We are generally able to offer a limited amount of voluntary research. To contact us, please use the proforma on the “Contact Us” page on the website.

Burntwood Family History Group Transcriptions

The Group has transcribed many of the local Parish Records and Non-Conformist Registers from the surrounding area. Originally released on CD, these are now being made available to members and non-members on USB memory sticks. Once again, specific details can be found on our website. These records are also available now through the National Burial Index and as part of the Plus and Pro subscriptions to Findmypast.