Below is some genealogy information and websites about the history and social geography of Dudley.

North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West, Midlands, London, East Anglia

Description: Located in the West Midlands, Dudley is part of the Black Country. So-called due to the amount of pollution produced from its heavy industry. It used to be part of Worcestershire which was surrounded by Staffordshire. Dudley boomed during the industrial revolution, focusing mainly on coal and limestone mining. However, it also had textiles, iron, steel, leatherworks, glass-cutting and engineering industries. Dudley became connected to the rail network in 1850. In 1852, Dudley was called the most unhealthy place in the country thanks to its lack of clean drinking water and no sewers. Average age of death was just 16 years! Houses were rapidly put up to support the numbers of workers required for this new industry but their poor condition only made matters worse. Dudley faced German bombs during the Second World War. Traditionally a part of Worcestershire, in 1966 it became part of Staffordshire. Since 1974 Dudley has been part of the West Midlands.

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