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Black Country Muse

Black Country Photographs, Postcards, Stories, Recollections, Memories, History, Folklore, Murder, Genealogy Tips, and Forums. Social History Events,Time Lines, and General Regional Mining History.

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Black Country General History.TopicsPostsLast updated
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Blackcountry Factual History.


Historical events and facts, dates, names, places, which can all be placed within the area that covers the Black Country, from the 1800s to more recent times.
1782
2 days ago
by Michael Leedham
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Memorabilia From the past.


Many Tales and Storie's from the past, including Work and Social History. Some of the Regions Characters, Places, Events, Scandals, and in fact, anything that may help others with their family research.
1483
18 hours ago
by Alaska.
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Dead and Buried.


Some folk were dead long before their allotted time, killed it was said, by overwork. Others died from accidents at work, caused by their unscrupulous and penny pinching employers. Poor food, unsanitary housing, invited a visit from the grim reaper.
839
3 months ago
by Alaska.
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Post Box.


A place for any comments, or requests, concerning the topics within the website. You will need to be registered with the site, it's free, and anyone with an interest in the Black Country, is very welcome to join.
621
1 months ago
by Alaska.

Black Country Social History.TopicsPostsLast updated
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Living and Working Conditions.


How our Ancesters put up with half of what they had to endure, I will never know. The phrase, " The good old days ", wouldn't have cut much ice if they could speak today.
1175
5 days ago
by Alaska.
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Beliefs and other Oddities.


What do you believe in ? Gods, Ghosts, or even Quack Doctors, our dear departed ancesters could do all three and not bat an eyelid.
1052
22 hours ago
by Alaska.
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Ghostly Footsteps.


Just a few old tales from around the region that may keep you amused. If there's an old one from your area, that isn't posted, send me the details, and I will list it for you. Sorry folks, I don't do the modern stuff, far too many ways to fake it all.
610
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Black Country Miscellaneous Subjects.TopicsPostsLast updated
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Tale's from the region.


Subject matter that will be of interest, but otherwise doesn't quite fit into a general catergory. Members are invited to add to the subject matter, or material can be submitted via clicking on the Contact Button at the side of the screen.
1798
2 weeks ago
by Alaska.
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Words from the Dead.


What does one do, to pass the time, before or after a a Wedding, Christening, or a Funeral. Have a good look around the old gravestones thats what. Well thats what I generally do, looking for any interesting words of wisdom.
419
2 weeks ago
by Alaska.
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Genealogy Researching.


Once you get the bug, its difficult to stop, so here are a few tips on the basics, and a few examples of just how difficult it can be at times. There is help available, see the Links Page.
326
3 weeks ago
by Alaska.
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Can you Help ?


A place to post a request for that bit of information you may lack. All in the best possible taste, via a private message, or through admin if you are a bit shy about posting your request. Copyrited material should be avoided.
1014
8 days ago
by Alaska.

Black Country Transport.TopicsPostsLast updated
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Carriages of Convenience.


By Foot, Horse, Cart, Coach, Canal, and then Bicycle, our Ancesters made their way around the region. Then came Steam power, the Railways, Tramcars, and finally the Internal Combustion Engine. I wonder what comes next.
837
4 months ago
by Alaska.

Black Country Murders.TopicsPostsLast updated
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The Ultimate Crime.


With motives ranging from Robbery to Insanity, a collection of awful events that shocked the local population and sometimes the whole Country. More stories on the " Foul Murders " page above, and the " Executioners " as well.
1973
3 weeks ago
by Alaska.
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Other Crimes and Punishments.


Drunkeness, dishonesty, general misbehaviour, our Ancesters were quite adapted to do any of them. Sometimes, all at the same time. Not only the men either. the woman, at times. were even worse. Prison conditions are on a seperate page.( above )
22153
8 days ago
by Alaska.
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Murder Case Reviews


Extra information and background on some of the cases covered, a closer look at some of the motives, and a few questions that seem to have not been asked.
1416
2 months ago
by Alaska.

Black Country Mining HistoryTopicsPostsLast updated
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Mining History.


Not just Coal, but Ironstone, Limestone, and Fireclay were mined in the region. From the 16th Century onwards, untold Men, and some Women, gave their lives in the pursuit of these abundant riches. It made many Mine owners very rich.
19109
19 hours ago
by Alaska.
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Other Mining Accidents.


A look at a few other area's mining accidents. Some samples of rather tragic events, involving children, supposed sabotage, most of which may bring a few tears to your eyes.
66
5 months ago
by Alaska.

Black Country at War. 1795 to 1902.TopicsPostsLast updated
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For King/Queen and Country.


Do you have a relative, who willingly put themselves in the line of fire, in the defence of our once mighty Empire. Did they survive, or did they give their all, in some far flung foreign land, or in some vast expanse of an unforgiving Ocean.
1015
4 days ago
by Alaska.

Forums.

You will find over 900 different stories of numerous  Blackcountry Facts, Memorabilia, Murders, Crime and Punishment, Miscellanous Stories, Mining History, Military History, Heroes, and for the end, a few Epitaphs to send you on your way.  Hundreds of names, places events and dates to check, hopefully, an aid to your family history research. Contributions about the many subjects welcomed, just Press the Contact Me button, and I will endeavour to respond as quickly as I can. Alternatively, you can post a comment on my Blog Page.

Photo Gallery.

 Over 1,000 Photographs, Illustrations, Sketches, Maps, and Aerial Views from around the region, to stir and aid your memory. Can you spot a relative, a favourite place, a happy event, or even where you, or your ancesters lived and worked.?? Have you a memory of what you have seen?, then why not leave a comment on my Blog Page.

Pages.

Subjects include, Local and National Executioners, Mines and Owners, Ironworking, Steam Engines, older Census Returns, Folklore, Coal Masters, Nailmaking, Foul Murders, Locally sponsered Warships, and Prison Condtions. Names, dates and Events are included in all the many subjects. A Blog page is available, for comments about the site, and how to contact us is easy, just press the Contact Me Button. There are more details about the site, on the Home Page.

BLACKHEATH PAGE UPDATED. 29th April, 2013.

Religion and a bit of Church history.

Executioners.

Updated, 18th Dec 2012.  A detailed look at the four local men who took up this gruesome task. Included, is a look at some other famous Hangmen, and a few facts you might not really want to know.

Words from the Dead.

A bit of prose, fancy words, insults, and a few of the more unusual inscriptions, found on Headstones and Memorials. You wouldn't get away with some of these today, but they can be very funny, as well as bitingly cruel. If you have a favourite one I have not included, get in touch and I will put it in.

Unsolved Blackcountry Murders.

14 stories, a mixture of various dastardly deeds that remain unsolved, and the poor victims unavenged. Some from the distant past, and many from more recent times. Who, for instance, brutally slew Esther Baggott,  bludgened to death a Dudley money lender, and why did someone snuff out the life of a Pregnant Tennis player.

Foul Murders.

14, very nasty and messy Murders. Sharp implements as well as some Blunt ones included. Even more in the Ghastly Murders Topic on the Forums.

Old Houses.

The old Nailers Cottage, Hagley Road Hasbury.  Any Information, history, and photographs, requested for this almost 200 year old reminder of days long gone. Did your relatives live or work in the area, and can you help in the search. Read more in the Topic.

Time-Lines.

A bit of a tongue in cheek look at History. In two parts, 1800-1816, then 1817 - 1901. A series of dates and events, that you may be able to fit into your family tree research.  Some of it may help to explain just why your relatives acted as they did.