Researching in Middlesex
Dr Nick Barratt
Content
About this webinar
Learn all about the key resources available for researching ancestors in Middlesex. Discover the key archives covering this county, situated right on the border with London, and how to use their catalogues and other resources. Find out where records for Middlesex can be found online both within the main commercial websites and county specialist sites. Learn about key historical events that may impact your research in Middlesex, including important boundary changes. Investigate where else you can get help such as the relevant family and local history societies. At the end of this talk, you will be set up for starting your research on your Middlesex ancestors. Note that the talk assumes you have already watched ‘Introduction to County Research in England’.
About the speaker
Key points and insights
This webinar provides a comprehensive guide to navigating genealogy in Middlesex, England, highlighting how its proximity to London shaped its socio-economic landscape and record availability. Led by historian Dr. Nick Barratt, the presentation addresses the complex administrative history of a county transformed over centuries from a rural agricultural region into a dense metropolitan hub. Genealogists researching ancestors from this region will gain a clear framework for locating records despite shifting borders and changing jurisdictional names.
Key insights and takeaways from the presentation include:
- Shifting Administrative Boundaries: Understanding the historical timeline of Middlesex is crucial, as twenty percent of its landmass was absorbed by the London County Council in 1889, and the remaining administrative entity was fully incorporated into Greater London by 1965.
- Distinct Regional Economies: Research strategies must account for the county's four-way socio-economic split, ranging from the affluent, palatial influences in the west to the dense, industrial, and maritime trade corridors in the east.
- Specialized Record Sets: The presentation highlights invaluable local records beyond standard censuses, including manorial court rolls, land tax returns, tithe apportionments, and specialized poor law union and asylum records generated by rapid urban growth.
To fully grasp the rich historical context and detailed methodologies shared in this session, researchers are encouraged to view the complete webinar recording. Viewers can also explore the extensive fourteen-page syllabus, which offers a deep dive into specific archive locations, research links, and local family history societies to help track down elusive ancestors.
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Comments (34)
Lots of useful information for my Middlesex ancestors that I've been a bit hit and miss with researching. Being in Australia, it's always good to hear how the different parts of a county in the UK are made up. City of Westminster and City of London. I have ancestors from different sides of my family who were in both of these areas. I need to watch this again. A big thank you for the handout. It is sooo comprehensive. Kudos to you Nick.
Masses of information
A wonderful history lesson about Middlesex. I could listen to Nick talking about the history of the area all day. The many resources he has identified to continue investigating are great. Undoubtedly one of the best English county webinars. Thank you Nick.
Excellent (as always with Nick's talks). There was so much info that I now need to read the handout then probably re-watch the recording
An excellent webinar. Clear and easy to understand. Great presentation, with lots of useful information.
I learned a great deal about the background of Middlesex, which had not been easy to do previously. Thank you so much. A small suggestion (based on my interest in 1700's to 1810 ancestors) would be to indicate how early some of the resources like directories might be useful. This was done for some resources but others not so much.
Very useful - Greater London is so complicated due to its ancient timeline and much expanded area.
a well presented, factual presentation, delivered in a professional and knowledgeable manner. He is always a pleasure to listen to