blackcountry staffs?

[dawnwas]

Just wondered if anyone had researched family who hailed from this area as I was born and bred there?Sometimes it is interesting to know a bit about where those people lived?

[Lady Di]

Thank you Dawnwas, that is a very kind offer.

But I am going to admit my ignorance (again  ) of place names in UK. Exactly what area is known as "blackcountry"?

I know some well meaning Rootschatter will tell me to "go google it" or "look it up on a map"  but I thought that others may also wish to know.

Apologies for my ignorance and thanks

Regards
Di

[Shropshire Lass]

Hello Di - I'm not a local, but have some family from the area. 

Have a look here  www.bclm.co.uk/whatis.htm  for some information - and a great day out if you're visiting the area.

dawnwas - that's a nice offer.  It does help to have local knowledge about the ancestors - puts flesh on the bones, so to speak.

Monica

[suecad]

Hi all,
I am from rowley regis. this is in the black country

The areas are sandwell, walsall and dudley some people also include wolverhampton.
it gets its name from the smoke from the ironworking foundries and forges.

i have lots of pictures if anyone wants to see them...

Sue

[derryphilip]

Hi there i was born in Wolverhampton and lived for most of my childhood in willenhall so if i can help let me know

Vanessa

[dawnwas]

Thanks everyone for the replies
I was born in wednesfield,and Dad is from Cannockchase and Mom is a Brummie ( which does not class her as a Blackcountrian).
I worked in the early days in WestBromwich and Wolverhampton was the nearest town.
I have since emmigrated to Australia but still have a brother and family in Dudley and wednesfield.
The Blackcountry was named as a reference to the thick industrial smoke that covered it when the area was the heart of heavy industry,but also delicate pottery and china etc...it was the site of the worlds first iron bridge!!!
Wolverhampton was the first town in the world to trial traffic lights!!!
The Midlands in general will always have a special place in my heart!!! I have family who have seen the area change as the heavy industry declined...anyone want a Master Welder from Wolverhampton,cos I know a fantastic one!!
Anyone know more about the challis ( Holy Grail) and Shropshire?
My family were at one stage mostly coalminers ( the men anyway) at Cannock pits!!
Dawn

[jacquelineve]

 I remember reading somewhere,that when Rowley was
given it's royal charter by Henry V111, becoming Rowley
Regis, the area then was known as the Blacke Countrie,
due I think to the black soil caused by coal being near
surface.

    Why do Brummies call us yam-yams?

                              Jackie.

[ggrocott]

My husband's family hail from Wolverhampton and then Rugeley - many of them worked in Cannock pits and one in particular worked in Rawnsley pit.  Wish I new more about the area.  We have visited Rugeley but have never been able to spend much time there.

[Berlin-Bob]

The Black Country is the industrial area of south east Staffordshire, north east Worcestershire, north west Warwickshire, and south Shropshire. It is centred on the town of Dudley, and gained its name from the results of the massive atmospheric pollution produced by local metal-working industries, especially in the 19th century. Buildings and trees (where any survived) were black with soot, the stars were never visible in the sky, any washing hung outside was black with freshly deposited soot long before it was dry, and life expectancy was unsurprisingly short. County boundaries in the area always have been complex and subject to many changes.

from http://www.jimella.nildram.co.uk/counties.htm#black

This website looks like a great read for all non-Brits (and some Brits, too ) as it explains about parishes, boundaries, older words for these (hundreds, wappentakes, etc) and much more.

SooCat found it and I quoted it for one particularly useful aspect, i.e. on one page it explains about various regions of Britain, which have well-known names.

That is a great link that SooCatt gave, http://www.jimella.nildram.co.uk/counties.htm

it's a lot clearer then the wikepedia links and also has a big plus for non-brits, that names of areas are also given.  These can occur anywhere and are confusing if you don't know what they refer to:
e.g.
The Black Country
The Dales
East Anglia
East Midlands
Fenland
The Home Counties
The Lake District
The Peak District
The Weald
Welsh Marches
West Country and WESSEX
West Midlands
Wirral
etc.

Bob

http://www.jimella.nildram.co.uk/counties.htm

the whole site is well worth a look, here's a list of contents:
# Introduction
# Origins of the counties
# Various forms of county names
# Abbreviations, sub-divisions and map
# Boundary changes
# Other administrative areas
    * Hundred and Wapentake
    * Parish
          o Naming a Parish in Relaton to Its County, Etc.
    * Poor Law Unions
    * Mid-19th century boards and districts
    * Boroughs
    * Urban and Rural District Councils

# Definitions of types of settlement

Each page also includes links to more information


Enjoy,
Bob

ps.
the RootsChat topic I am quoting from is also worth a look, if you are wondering generally about british county names

Topic: Correct nomenclature for Counties (!)
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,168106.0.html