Sandwell Community History and Archive Service collects and preserves archives and published materials relating to the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, situated in the West Midlands.
These records include books, original borough records, documents, manuscripts, maps, newspapers and photographs.
The Office’s public searchroom is based in Smethwick Library.
The Record Office also hold the records of Chance Brothers & Company Limited, which was one of the biggest glass manufacturers in Britain.
Whatever the reason for your visit, whether you wish to research the history of a house, conduct research for a school, college or university assignment, study your family history or are interested in local history, you will the documents held of use.
The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to help should you have any questions or require assistance.
If you have any historical documents relating to the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell that you would like to donate to the Archive to safeguard them for present and future generations and to make them available to the public, they would love to hear from you.
Information about Sandwell Community History and Archive Service
Sandwell Community History and Archive Service
Smethwick Library
High Street
Smethwick
B66 1AA
Telephone Number:
0121 558 2561
Email:
archives_service@sandwell.gov.uk
Collections
For information about their collections, please visit their collections page. You can also search their online catalogue, but only a small proportion of their collections is catalogued at present. Collections held by the Office include:
- Borough Records
- Burial and Cremation Records
- Business Records
- Census Returns 1841-1911
- Churchyard Records
- Court Records
- Faith Records
- Family and Personal Records
- Maps and Plans
- Newspapers
- Organisation and Society Records
- Photographs
- School Records
Electoral Registers are also held in the Archive, which include:
- Oldbury – 1946
- Rowley Regis – 1950 onwards
- Smethwick – 1899 onwards
- Tipton – 1919 onwards
- Wednesbury – 1877 onwards
- West Bromwich – 1883 onwards
- Darlaston – 1950-1947
Opening Hours
For details about their opening hours, please visit the opening hours page.
Location and Directions
A car park is available on Stony Lane and parking bays are accessible on High Street and Stony Lane.
The Office is approximately five minutes walk from Smethwick Rolfe Street railway station and fifteen minutes from Smethwick Galton Bridge railway station.
Buses 53, 80, 87 and 89 stop close to the Archive.
Booking
You are advised to book before visiting because it can become very busy and also if you wish to access original documents.
Photography
You are able to use a digital camera in the searchroom, but a charge is made to customers taking advantage of this service. Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.
Accessibility
The Office’s searchroom is fully accessible to anyone using a wheelchair and many other adaptations have been installed for disabled users, including an adjustable table, hearing loop and a computer with adaptive software. Disabled-access customer toilets are also available.
A member of staff is trained in the use of British sign language.
Refreshments
Eating establishments are available in Smethwick, approximately 10 minutes (½ mile) walk from the Archive.
Research Service
On payment of a fee, a research service is offered for anyone unable to visit in person. You will have to fill in a research request form and send a cheque made out to Sandwell MBC. The Office cannot accept electronic payments.
You will have to pay a fee even if they are unable to find the information you requested. If their search is unsuccessful, they will advise you of any other avenues you can explore to discover the information.
They can conduct searches of:
- Business records
- Census Returns
- Church records
- Electoral registers
- GRO Index of births, marriages and deaths
- International Genealogical Index
- Local history books
- Newspapers
- Parish registers
- Photographs
- School records
They aim to send you a search report within 28 days, containing details of the records they have searched, the information they have discovered, and advice on other avenues you can explore to further your research.
Readers’ Tickets
Sandwell Archives accepts the Archives Card
For further details of Record Offices in Staffordshire, please visit my pages regarding Staffordshire Record Office, Dudley Archives, Stoke on Trent City Archives and Walsall Local History Centre.