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Oldbury
has not been extensively documented in the past, although
there are histories of some individuals, firms and organisations.
The following bibliography covers the main sources of information
known to the local history groups at present.
Most of
these books are available at Sandwell Public Libraries, particularly
those in the Oldbury area.
Please
contact us if you know of other relevant books or documents.
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Cover
of Oldbury Book of Memory for the 1914-18 War [Held
at Sandwell Community History and Archives, Smethwick]
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"Picturesque Oldbury" by
Revd Henry McKean
1900 Midland
Printing Co Ltd
A limited
edition of 250 copies has been issued by Royston T Slim, Janus
Books
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This
book describes the main churches, schools, public buildings,
houses and parks in 1900 and is copiously illustrated. In many
cases these are the only known photographs of buildings from
the period. It also includes a reprint of 'Ye Legende of
St Brade', a poem by Rev A W Fox. An accurate reference
source. |
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"Oldbury and Round About" by
Frederick William Hackwood
1915 Cornish
Brothers and Whitehead Brothers
A limited
edition of 750 copies was issued by Brewin Books in 2002 with
the type reset and new layout
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This
book describes aspects of Oldbury's history from around 1000AD,
including Halesowen Abbey and parish, religion, industry, local
government, and education, with a chapter on Langley and Warley.
It also has some information on Rowley Regis, Brierley Hill,
Cradley and Clent. Although there are some illustrations, none
is of Oldbury, Langley or Warley! Hackwood is sparse on citing
references. A useful source, but needing other confirmatory
evidence. |
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"Oldbury
and Rowley Regis in Old
Photographs"
by
John Maddison
1991 Alan
Sutton Publishing
ISBN 0-86299-976-6
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A book
of photographs, mainly from the collection of Sandwell Community
History and Archives, covering Oldbury, Langley, Warley, Rowley
Regis, Blackheath, Old Hill, Cradley Heath and Tividale with
detailed captions.
Now out
of print.
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"Oldbury:
The Town of the Four Moons" compiled and edited
by Dave Reeves
1994 The
Moving Finger for Sandwell Community Library Service ISBN
1-871296-55-2
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A collection
of extracted articles and creative writing on the history
of Oldbury and the reminiscences of people taking part in
a creative writing workshop. An interesting compednium with
items covering many aspects of Oldbury's history.
Some copies
remain, available through libraries in Oldbury
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"Jack
Judge. The Tipperary Man"
by Verna Hale Gibbons
1998 Sandwell
Community Library Service ISBN 1 900689-07-3
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A
biography of the entertainer and song-writer who was born in
Oldbury in 1872, and whose most famous song was sung bu troops
throughout WW1, "Its a Long Way to Tipperary". Based
on extensive research and family memories, and written by a
descendant of Jack Judge. |
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"Oldbury
Grammar School 1904 - 1974" by A A L Pearce
1974 Privatey
printed
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History
of the school from ins inception as Oldbury Secondary School
in 1904 to it closure on the introduction of comprehensive education
in 1974, written by a former history master at the school. |
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"The
Story of BIP 1894 - 1962" by Cyril S Dingley
1963 Published
by British Industrial Plastics Ltd
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Readable
overview of the development of the company that started as 'British
Cyanides Co Ltd', and became a leading producer of plastics
in the first half of the twentieth century. Written by an ex-employee. |
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"Growth
of a Group. The History of the BIP Group 1895 - 1949"
1949 Published
by British Industrial Plastics
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History
of the company which started at Oldbury, and the group of companies
that developed from it. |
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"100
Years of Phosphorus Making 1851 - 1951" by
R E Threlfall
1951 Published
by Albright & Wilson Ltd
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Excellent
easy-to-read history of the growth of Albright and Wilson with
much detail on the development of Langely and information on
employees and local people. |
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"Albright
and Wilson: The Last Fifty Years" by Hugh
Podger
2002 Brewin
Books. ISBN 1-858582-23-7
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Comprehensive
history of the later growth and decline of the company up to
2000. Detailed on the development of the company but without
the local background of Threlfall's earlier book. |
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"A
History of Bromford 1780 - 1980" by W K V
Gale
Published
for Bromford Iron and Steel Co Ltd ISBN 0-950692-60-5
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Bromford
Iron Works developed on the West Bromwich bank of the River
Tame, but had its origins at Bromford Mill on the Oldbury Bank.
There are many connections with Oldbury, and the Dawes family
owned Oldbury Furnaces for a while. |
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"TI
Metsec 1931 - 1981"
1981 Published
for TI Metsec ISBN 0-950073-07-5
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The
first fifty years of Metal Sections, acquired by Tube Investments
in 1932 and moved to Oldbury. |
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"Excellence
in Roll Forming; Seventy Five Years of Metsec"
2006 Published
by Metsec
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The
development of Metal Sections, its processes and its people
from 1931 to 2006. |
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"A
History of the Firm of Chance Brothers & Co. Glass and
Alkali Manufacturers" by James Frederick Chance.
1919 Private
Circulation.
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The
early history of Chance Brothers, concentration on the glass
factory, but also covering the chemical works in Oldbury. |
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"A
Short History of Chance & Hunt 1835 - 1985"
1985 Issued
by ICI
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A
brochure prepared by Eric Thurston which gives a very brief
of Chance Brothers' Alkali Works, later Chance and Hunt, and
finally part of ICI. |
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"Accles
& Pollock 1899 - 1974"
1974 Issued
by Accles & Pollock
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A
brochure summarising the history of the company and the applications
of its cold-drawn tubes |
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"The
Red Bricks by the Pool: The History of Warley College of Technology"
by J H Caddick and T Hildred
1982
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The
history of the Oldbury and Smethwick Colleges that were combined
to establish Warley College. It includes a wealth of information
on the early development of secondary education in Oldbury,
and Oldbury College of Further Education at Causeway Green. |
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"Walks
in the Black Country" by Elihu Burritt Published
1868
Reprint
1976 by Roundwood Press ISBN 0-900093-48-X
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Observations
on mid-Victorian Black Country life, including Oldbury. Items
on Brades Works, brick-making and the nail trade. |
