Walsall Archive for All blog - What stories are missing from Walsall's heritage?

October 2026

When people think about archives, they often think of dusty official records stored safely on shelves. But that is just some of the most important pieces of Walsall's history.  Much more may still be sitting in lofts, cupboards, spare rooms and family photo albums across the borough.

A box of photographs from a community celebration, programmes from local events can all play their part, as can records from a family businesses, minutes from a faith group meetings, plus letters, diaries or newsletters that tell the story of everyday lives.

All these records help tell the story of our town and the people who have shaped it and how their communities have grown, adapted and contributed to the borough over time.

The Walsall Archive for All (WAFA) Project is working with local communities and individuals to create a more representative archive that reflects the diversity, achievements and experiences of all those of us who call Walsall home.

Whose stories are missing?

We are particularly interested in stories relating to faith communities, migration and settlement, LGBTQI+ communities, Deaf and visually impaired communities, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, small businesses and communities affected over the years of industrial change.

Could your community's story help fill the gaps?

The records, photographs, documents and memories held by local people and organisations are often vital in helping complete the picture of Walsall's past. So, take a moment to think about your own family, community, workplace or organisation. Do you have their stories, experiences or records that deserve to be remembered?

Even an old family photo, such as these two, now part of the Archive, of Harry Wilcox standing in front of the Warehouse on Walsall Town Wharf where he lived in the 1920s and the second, of the opening of the Boat Museum by the then Mayor, Malcolm Barton, tells us a lot about the town as it was then.

Coming next: Could your records help tell Walsall's story?

In our next Your Archive, Your Voice blog, we'll explore the kinds of records we're looking for, why everyday items can be historically important, and how you can donate records to help preserve Walsall's heritage for future generations. 

You might be surprised at what belongs in an archive!