Midland Ancestors S MidlandAncestors isthe publK face of the &rmin8ham and Midland Societyfor Genealogy& Heraldry REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 505916 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 FOR BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND soaEfY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY TBInnIngham% Mldland SodètyforG•nÈaW& HèrnklryChadtyRg8lstrathDn NO. $05916 Anaff11d3¢Klrty0f thE 8irmir6harn MIand1tt£d a mErnberofthe FamilyHi5tory Fed&7kn
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SIXIEfY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Pe Report of the Truste Ito8 Statement of Trustees Responsibilltyes Independent Examiner'5 report ststement of Financial Activitle5 li 8alance Sheet Notes to the Flnanual Statements 13tolS Detsiled Statement of Finantial Attivities 16to17
Midland Ancestorss Trustees. Annual Report for the perlod: 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 Charity name: Blmilngham and Mldland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry Charity reglstratlon number: 505916 Objectlves and Actlvltles: Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in ils governing document The Society's objectives, as stated in the Constf(ulion, are to promote the advancement of public education in the study of Genealogy and Heraldry. In furtherance of these objects, but not otherwse, the Society has power To promote, malntain and encourage the practl dissemination of infomiation To promote and maintain research into all aspects of Gon&alogy and H8raldry To preserye records, archives and any other material by transcription C olheThvise To publish literature. and To collaborate with similar Organisations and with such bodies as churches. libraries and record offices. Summary of the main activrties in relation to fjM)se purposes for the public benefit, in particular. the activities, projects services identified in the accounts. During the year our aclivities have induded.. A fvll programme of speakers and events for all groups. Participat¥Jn in the 2025 Bimiingham Heritago Week. The production and dislTibution of the Society quartedy journal Midland Ancestor and the introduction of a
rletter. Attendance at Family History Fairs The publication of rnaterial mainly In th8 ft)rrn of digital ¢J)wnloads. The continued work on transcrfbing and checking of parish giSterS and other Items of genealogical interest for future publication. Photographing, storing and indexing of cemetery registers. Responding to requests for Search of indexes. The sale of publl¢aUons. The maintaining of a Society website glvlrrfJ access to the Socrety Online Shop, members. interests, calendar of events and a comprehènsive famiFy history presence to the public Society groups running thgir own w6bsi18s providing for specific local interest. Responding to m8mbers' enqulrfes. Represenlalton al various county-vAd8 family history fairs Continulng with a programm8 for the care of ref8ren¢e library b¢)oks Maintaining and operating a Family History Centre th weekday access and on a Saturday by appointment. Maintaining a voluntary exchange of research at record offices by linking members in d*fferenl locations. Representing the interests of the Soclety as a member of the Federation of Family History Societies. Offering edu¢al'on courses. Supporting the work of the area County Record Offices and other archives. In planning and maintaining activities, the Trustees have had regard for the Charty Commission guidanc• conceming public benefft. Statement
Addftlonal Infom)ation: Contribution made by volunteers The work of the Society is supported by the following unsalari•d voluntary SpAntMents. Executive Committee Members IT Support Team Joumal Edor Reforenc8 Librarians Research Officer Web-site Manager Subscriptions Secretary Social Media Officers Index Holders Dats Manager Transcribers To rr*t the needs of Members living outswje the Birrningham area, the SOcty is supported by a nelwork of groups. In 2025 these were based in Kenilworth, London. stok&on-Tnt, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton. Groups arrange their own events under the organisation of elected officers. Other
Achievements and Perforniance Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to th circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider beneffts to society as a whole. The yèar gnded with a drop in membership lo 1200- a common trerKI With family history societies in the UK and overse8S. The Trustees are pleased to report that 8 full programme of Birmingham Group meelwigs, both phys11 and online have taken place. Attendance numb8rs are increasing and online meetings proved partiadY popular over the wnter months. The other regional Society groups continue lo offer a programme of events to meet Members, needs in their local area. The Trustees express their satisfaction and thanks to those concemed who h8ve enabled the Midland Ancestors Family History C•nlr8 IFHCI to bg open Monday to FrKlay. Saturday openlng hours are also being extended. The FHC is 81s0 Familysearch Affiliate Library which means that in additrcffi lo Ihe comprehensive hohsing of genealogical, heraldi¢ and local history resources- visitors now have access to millions of records held by the Family History Department of LDS Church. The FHC also provides access to the Find My Past website froe of charge. The Society has been granted Iwo free licenc8s from the makers of Family Historian software in order that members can transfer thelr r&search into a digitsl formal for the posterity of fvlure researchers. The Trustees express their thanks to the dedicated and experienced team of librarlans who are available to help and advise researcherg. As a Trew service. Members who cannot access th8 FaMY History Centre can now enjoy research carried out on thelr behalf by an experfenced librarban free foT one hour. We ask for a donation after that one hyjr. A large team of volunteers {30+). led by the Warwi¢kshire Project Manager continue to work on the Warwickshire cnty Record Office project lo transcribe Wamckshire Parish Registers and to make indexes and images available for sale through the Society shop. This project is almost complete. bvilh the larger parishes for Coventry remaining to b8 done. The Society's ortrline shop is very popular with both memLws and non-members. The shop is managed daly by a team of three volunteers. Ils newsletter is emailed approximalety monthly to 34(+ subscribers. The Midland Ancestors Shop generates a vttal source of Income. There a over 3,600
items in the shop with new ttems added every week, these include familyllocal history books, maps, parish regislers and monumental insriplion transcripts. Most of our own data is now available as pdf downloads and some of our partners have also nVerted to pdf downloads rather than producing CDS or bo¢s. We also sell a large selection of used books which have been donated to the society for us to resell. We have approximately 15 partners and sell their items in our shop, our biggest partners being Warwickshire County ReMrd Offe and Staffordshire Parish Registers Society. All our digitised dats is also available via an app called °The Library Data Menu" which is available in our library in Blmiingham and Several of our remote Groups. Again. many thanks to the Data Manager who d8veloF*d this app and mainiains it with updated data every week. As previousty reported. the printing and distribution of the society's quarterly journal The Midland Ancestor is a primary benefit to the membership. The Editor continues to oversee the produclion of a high-quality publication which remains frgsh, varied and relevant. The Editor has been keen to encourage reader participation resutling in a greater confidence among our members to submit contributions for consideration. The Trustees recognise with thanks the considerable time and effort involved. The Trustees can r&port that the Memorabilia Arthives for Midland Ancest(Ys having b8&n created is continuing to bo dev810 Addltlonal infonnation The Society continues to run library-based family history classes in the Wolverhampton area, as well as at the BMI in Bimiingham. This is a clear indicator that there is a demand to be met in the provision of training and mentoiing in family history. Achievements againsl objectives set Other Flnanclal Revlew Review of the charity's financlal 091tlon at the end
of the nod Slalement explaining the policy for holding reseNes ststing why they are held The Trustees have a reserves policy whlch is reviewed and updated annually to inform decision making. There continues to Main the expected significant incre8$e in the Family History Centre room rent. In addition, reserves 11 be required to enlargé this facility to incorporate a traininglseminar room and library extension, once the BiTmingham Midland Institute has decided, funded and completed wort( lo modernise the building in which the library is situatèd. There have been during the year, and continue to be, ggneral IT improvements lo enhan¢e members. and other users. experien¢& and knoedge in addition lo maintainin and im rovin IT securi itself. £145.341 Amount of reserves held AddlUonal Infonnatlon The charity'$ principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Regular income to support the Society aims and objecbves has been generated in th8 main from donations, subscriptions, publications sales. index searches and Gift A. other Structure, Governance and Management Description of chariws None trusts.. Type of governing documenl Constitution How the ¢harity 15 conStited Unincorporated ASsl8t10n Trustee selection method Elected by Annual General Meeting attendees for period of Addltlonal informatlon Current charity law and advice is shared wtth the Trustees to inform their adivities and decisions. Policies and procedu adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charitys organlsakn'onal slnjcture and any wder nerk with whlch the charity works The Society is a member of The Family History Federation. This gives asS to legal, financial and administrative guidan¢e and expertise together with public liability insurance and the opportunity to engage with other like-minded national and international groups. The So¢i&ty is a member of the Birniingham Heritage Forum, a grouping of heritage organisations In the Blmiin ham area. The Society seeks dose links wtth the county reca)rd office5 and local archNe pos[ton&S through Shad ro'eds and s n80r8hi Relationship wilh any related rties
Familysearch Affiliate Library for the LDS Church, as described abov8 Pay to view contract with Find- My-Past. The Twstees meet regularly to Consider governance issues and review procedures and policies necessary to fulfil their legal obligalbons. Othor The Trustees have made themselves aware of GDPR requirements and act8d accordingly to achieve regulation compliance. The Trustees can confim) Ihat this charty did not 8xperience any serious Incldents in 2025 that should have been brought to the attention of the Charity Commission but were not. Reference and Administrative details Other name the charit uses Re stered charit number Charity's principal address Midland An¢estors fomierl known as BMSGH 505916 Bimingham and Midland Institute 9 Margaret street Bimingham B3 3BS Namés of thè charlty trust••s who managa thè charity Dat•s actèd If not for whole Namè of pèrson lor body) enlltled Tru¥tg• n•mo 0ffl¢o {If any) Int tTUSt•• Ifan Member3 attending AGM Memb8rs attènding AGM Memb•rs att$nding AGM Members attending AGM Members attending AGM Members attendlng AGM Mèmber5 attending AGM Members attendkng AGM Mr Michael Sharpe Mr. Adrian de Redman Acting Chairperson Vice-chair H&raldry Vic&Chair Genealogy Mr Michael Sharpe Ms. Linda Beilby Mr. David Ke Mr. Peter Mlddleton Mr Stove Fr88m8n Mr Bemle McLean Ther8 arè no corporate trustees invofved wth the charity. There is no propety belonging to the charity. There are no funds held as custodian trustee8 on behalf of others. Addltlonal Informatlon
Names and addrossgs of advisers of advisor Independenl Examin8r Name Tom Williams Address BK Plus Ltd. Colwyn Bay, Con Names of s•nlor staff members General Secretary {Mrs. Kim Walker) Treasurer (Mr. Philip Morris) Sas Administrator (Mr. Steve Freeman) Declarations The Trustees declare that they have approv•d the Trustges, Rgport al)ove. Slgned on behalf of the charity's Trustees Trust On• Signature($) Full namels) Position (o.g. Secretary. Chalr etr) Dats Trustee Two Slgnature{s) Full namels) EFÉfL Posltion (•.g. Secretary. Chalr etc Dat•
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIETY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2Q25 The trustees are responsible for preparin8 the Trustees, Report and the financlal statements in accordance wlth applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountlng Practlce Iunlted Klngdom Accounting Stsndardsl. The law applicable to charItS in England and Wales requSres thetrustees to prepare ffinancial statements foreach financial yearwhich give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming sOUrceS and application of resources of the charity for that perk*d. In preparlng these financial statements, Ihe trustees are required to.. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistentlv,. ObseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP,. Makejvd8ements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prudent; ond Prepare the financial statemènts on a goin8 concern basis unless It Is inappropriate to pre5umethzt the charlty wlll contSnue In buslness. Thetru5tee5 are re5ponsit>le for keeping adequate Kcounting record5that are sufficlent to show and emplaln the charlty's transattlons. dlsclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financlal posltion of the charfty, and enable them to ensure that the flnanclal statements comply wlth the Charities Art 2011, the Charities (Accountin8 and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisionsof the ¢harity'S ¢onstitutlon. They are also responslble forsafeguafdin8 the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregulaiities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance 3nd inte8rity of the charity and the financial information induded on the charity's website. Le8islation in the United Kingdom governin8 the preparation and dissemination of Financial Statements may differfrom legislation In other jurisdirtions.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIETY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025 set out on paBes eleven and twee. Respectlve re5ponslbi1itSes of irustees and examlner The charity's trustees are SPOnSIbl@ forthe preparatiors ol the accounts. The charrty's tru5tee5 consider that an audlt Is not requlred for th15 year lundersedion 144121 of the Charr(les Act 2011 (the 2011 Actll and that and indepeThJent examination is required. It Is my iesponsibililyto- examine the accounts under Sertlon 145 ofthe 2011 Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions glven bythe Charity Commission lunder Sectlon 14SISllbl of the 2011 Artl,. and lo state whether particular matters have corne to my atteThtlon. Ba51s of the Independent examlnerfs repgrt My examination wa5 carried out in accordance with the General Directions glven by the Charity Commission. An examlnatlon Includes a review of the aCcounng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wrth those records. It also includes consideratlon of ary unusual items or diKlosurÈs in the accounts. and seekin8 explanatlons from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provSde all the evldence that would be required in an audiL and consequently opinion is Biven as to whether the accounts present a'true and fair vlew, and the report Is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. Indendent txominer'5 Statemerrt In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my atténtlon: 111 which Kive5 me reasonable cause to believe that. in any m8terlal respEtt, the requirernent5 to kèep attounting records in accordante with Section 130 of the 2011 Act.. and to prepare account5 which accord with the accountlng records and to compty wfth the acmunting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met- or 121 to whlch. In my opinion. attendon shoukl be drawn Fn ordErto enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Twilliams BK Plu5 Lirnlted Commodore House Sl Conway Road Colwryn Bay Conwy LL29 7AW Date.. 29104n026 io
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIEfY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACnVITIES FOR THE YEAR EP4DED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds fund fund 2024 Totsl lunds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES IncomlnK resources from 8enerated fund$ Voluntary income Acte5 for Renerating fvnd5 Invement incCe 36,917 5.534 5.423 36,917 5.534 5,423 48.146 5,595 5.121 Total InEomlng re$owces 47,873 47,873 58,863 RESOURCE5 EXPENDED Costs ofgenerdtini funds Fundraisin8 tradln8'. Cost of 8ood5 sold and other tosts charItab artlvbtles Mldland ancestor Grants to ¢xher or8anisations Wages Other expenses Governan(0$1$ 5.301 S.301 9,930 11.514 70 11,514 70 12.038 123 la,1 31,074 828 13,001 31,074 828 13,433 27,794 828 Ttstal rtsouwtts expended 61,787 61,787 63,899 NET INCOMING RESOUR 113,9141 113,9141 15,0361 RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Totsl funds bro4htloN*d 159,255 159.255 164,292 TOTAL FUNOS CARRIED FORWARD 145.341 145,341 159,255 li
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIEfY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY BALANCE SHEEr AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 UnrestrKted Ile5tricted Totsl funds Total funds fuhd fvnd Notes FIXED ASSETS Tanglble assets 7,131 7,131 3.320 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Cash at bank and in hand 16,992 121,218 16.992 121,218 17,122 138,813 138.210 138.210 155.935 NET CURREKf ASSEts 138,210 138,210 155.935 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIA8ILinES 145,341 145.341 159,255 NEfA$5Ers 145,341 145,341 159.255 FUNDS Un$tricted fuTh4s Restricted funds 145,341 159.255 TOTAL FUNDS 145,341 159.255 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on on Irs behalf by.. were slened Michael Sha Chatrpersc 12
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIEfY FOR GENEALOGY ANO HERALDRY NOTESTOTHE FINANaAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 ACCOU14TING POLICIES Atrountln¢ Convtntlon The financlal statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in actordance wlth the Financial ReportlnR Standard for Smaller EntleS leffective April 2M81. the CharitiesAct 2011 and the requirement5 of the Statement of Recomrnended Pracllce, Accountin8 and Reportlng by Charltles. Incomln8 reSoUrS All incoming resources are Included on the Statement of Flnandal ACtIve$ when the charity is le8ally entitled to the incorne and the arnount tan be quantified reasonable accuracv. Resources expended Expenditure is accounted for on an actruals basis and hÈs tlassifiÈd under headlngs ihat a£8gate all Cost related lo the category. Where costs cannot be dlrectly attribuied to partltular headln8s ihey have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Tan8lble Ilxed assels Depreciation Is provided atthe folloTh8 annual rates In orderto Wte off each asset over its estimated useful lifè. Plant and machinery Office and Pt - 25% on reducing balan . 25% on redudng balance stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. after making due alltrwan£e for obsolete and slow mon8 Items. T•xation The tharity is exempt from tax on Its charttable actlvhles. Fund atcountlng Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable oblec¢lves at the discretlon ol the trustees. Restrlcted funds Can onty be used for parri¢ular restrirted purposes within the objects Df the charty. Restrictions arise when spedfled by the donor orwhen funds are ralsed for partlcular restrfrted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund Is Included in the notesto the financial statement5. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUND5 2025 2024 Pay to vlew Sundry income 5.370 164 5,531 5.534 S.S95 13
OIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIETY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY NOTESTO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS- CONnP411ED FOR TFIE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 INVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 Deposot a¢nt interest 5,423 5,121 GOVERNANCE COSTS 2025 2024 Accountsncy 828 828 TRUSTEES, REMUNÉRATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024. Trurtee5' penseS There were notrustee5' expenses pald fortheyear ended 31 Deiembef 2054 norfcf the year ended 31 December 2024. STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salaries 13,001 13,433 The average monthly number of ernployees dUr1r theyearwas as follows: 2025 2024 Governance No employee5 received emoluments in exce55 of £60,000. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSErs Plant and Machinery At 31 December 2025 34.872 DEPREaATION At l January 2025 Charge for year 25.364 2,377 At 31 DecÈmbÈr 2025 27.741 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2025 7,131 At 310ecember 2024 3.321 14
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIEfY FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY NOTES TO THE FINANQAL STATEMENTS- coTrmNUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 STOCKS 2025 2024 Llbrary books Stock of publKations 11,3LK) 5,692 11,300 5,822 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in fund5 At 01101125 At 31112125 Unrestrl¢tsd funds General fund 159.2S5 113.9141 145?41 Restrltt•d lunds Heraldry TOTAL FUNDS 159,255 13.914 145,341 Net movement in funds. Included the atr)ve are as follows.. In¢omin8 resources Resouices expended M¢>vement in funds Unrestrlrted funds General fund 47.873 161.7871 113.9141 R5trlcltd funds Heraldry TOTAL FU14DS 61,787 Is
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND SOCIETY FOR GENEALOGY AND HEKALDRY DETAILED STATEmETr OF FINANCIAL ACTMnES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 IIKOMIMG RESOURCES Voluntary Intome Donatlons and legacles Publication sales Meetings. fundraLsln8 altIes Ticket anil fair sales income Subscriptions Glft ald 422 13.129 241 465 19,044 446 879 21.419 5,894 252 20.216 2.6S7 36,917 48.146 Artl¥ltles fgrgeneratlnolunds Payto view Sundry Income 5,370 164 S,531 5,534 5,595 Investrnent Income Deposit account interest 5.423 5,121 T¢*al incorning resourees 47873 58,863 RESOURCES EXPENDED FundTrlsln8 tr•dkn8.' ¢OSt of 8Md5 501d and ere05t$ Publicatlon tosts IlnL Stock movement) Fair costs 5,061 240 8.821 1.108 5,301 9.930 avItable attivilies Honoraria Grants and donatlons to other or¥ani5ations Speakers Subscrlptions Bran£h runnin8 Costs Sundries Midland anceIx Publiclty and advertisin Repairs and maintenance Room hire Postage. ststlonery and prSntlnR Rent 70 123 2.224 1.240 2,061 185 12.038 65 25 1,503 1,403 4.506 1,107 2240 655 2.184 11,514 290 116 1.923 1,229 8.777 2.376 Depreclation 31,568 27.233 Atcountancv 828 828 16
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND so0y FOR GENEALOGY AND HERALDRY DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES FOR THE YEAR ENPED 315T DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 Support Costs Manogement Office salaries Insurance Telephone and Internet Travel Bank protessin8 IT supporr and web hostin8 13,001 13.433 863 27 210 9.405 509 120 11,359 24.0 25,909 Total rex+urces expended 61,787 Net Incomel&)ss 13,914 15.0361 17