The Burntwood Family History Group was founded in 1986 by a group of local enthusiasts, some of whom remained involved to this day. We draw our current membership from a wide area in and around southern Staffordshire. This includes the Burntwood area, the three spired cathedral city of Lichfield, the villages of Cannock Chase, and northern parts of the Black Country.

The population of the area has changed significantly in the last few decades. The family history interests of Group members reflect the very varied population that now lives here. We may be locals, we may be incomers, but we are all keen to discover, research and share the rich history of this area and the families that have lived here! Crucially, we have a great deal of local knowledge, and it is knowledge we are happy to share. We offer research help at Burntwood Library one afternoon a month. We are now extending this offer to the History Access Point in Lichfield one morning a month starting later this year.

We hold two evening meetings every month. The second Monday in the month sees a formal meeting, usually with a guest speaker. We run a drop-in surgery/research evening on the fourth Monday of the month, where members and non-members alike have access to the Group’s collective expertise, as well as the excellent IT facilities that are available at our venue (Chase Terrace Academy). More recently, we have started delivering talks on Family History to groups such as the Women’s Institute.

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 available on USB sticks. They are also accessible via the subscription site ‘Find My Past’.

The 25^th anniversary of the Group’s formation saw the launch of the Burntwood Memorial Project. This was the Group’s way of marking the centenary of the Great War. Group members researched the stories behind the names that appear on local war memorials. Commemorative biographies were written about the soldiers who served and – in most cases – gave their lives for their country. These can be found on our website: https://www.bfhg.org.uk/ 

For further information about our future sessions at Lichfield History Access Point, as well as the HAP’s opening hours, resources, and additional services visit: Lichfield History Access Point – Staffordshire History Centre

A warm welcome awaits any visitor to Burntwood Family History Group.