Merseyside

Merseyside is a ceremonial and metropolitan county in North West England that takes its name came from the River Mersey, the title "Merseyside" came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974.^[1] Merseyside County Council was to be abolished only 12 years after its formation in 1986, and it can be argued Merseyside does not exist.^[2]

Merseyside encompasses the area centered on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary. The county comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool. The county was created on 1 April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act of 1972. Merseyside borders Lancashire (to the north-east), Greater Manchester (to the east), Cheshire (to the south and south-east) and the Irish Sea to the west. North Wales is across the Dee Estuary.^[3]

Merseyside has an area of 249 square miles (645 km2). After Liverpool (552,267), the largest settlements are Birkenhead (143,968), St Helens (102,629), and Southport (94,421). The population of Merseyside is 1,442,081 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the Office for National Statistics. Merseyside's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 1.3% per year. Merseyside covers an area of 647 square kilometers (250 square miles) and has a population density of 2,230 people per square kilometer (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.^[4]

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Merseyside landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsMerseyside landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions

The River Mersey, the sandstone ridges, and the Rivers Weaver, Alt and Dee and Fender,^[5] were all formed by glaciers making their way south from the mountainous regions of Scotland and the Lake District, and from the basin of the Irish Sea. This scouring of the landscape laid down the first formations which were to have so much effect on the history of Liverpool.^[6]

Because Liverpool is largest city and has long history, most of the information about the short existence of Merseyside is found about the city of Liverpool. When it comes to manufacturing, Liverpool City Region is home to a rich abundance of smaller and larger companies who have enjoyed national and global success.^[7] The city is within the historic county of Lancashire. Liverpool's urbanization and expansion were largely brought about by its status as a major port, which included its participation in the Atlantic slave trade. Liverpool was the port of registry of the ocean liner RMS Titanic, and many other Cunard and White Star ocean liners such as the RMS Lusitania, Queen Mary, and Olympic.^[7]

Merseyside is a significant agricultural region, producing a wide range of food. Farmers in the area raise quality beef, lamb, and dairy cattle. They also cultivate nutritious fruits and vegetables. Additionally, they grow wheat and barley, which are used to feed livestock and as ingredients for popular brands like Warburtons and McVitie's. The region boasts a thriving livestock industry, particularly sheep farming, with over 3 million sheep. The horticulture sector is also substantial, contributing £116 million to the economy.^[8]

Merseyside is most known for Liverpool's involvement in the history of the Beatles. The Beatles Story is major museum of the story of the Beatles' phenomena.^[9] The Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool is known as major transition point for immigration around the world. The Liverpool Cathedral, also known as the Anglican Cathedral was Designed by Giles Gilbert Scott. It is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, featuring soaring arches, intricate stonework, and beautiful stained glass windows.^[10] The Walker Art Gallery has a vast collection of art, including works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Turner, and Rossetti.

Merseyside historyMerseyside history

The history of Merseyside county before 1986, is found in Lancashire county. Despite the abolition of the county council some local services are still run on a county-wide basis, now administered by joint-boards of the five metropolitan boroughs; these include the:

Merseyside Police
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
Merseytravel (who are also responsible for the Merseyrail network)
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority
Merseyside Pension Scheme, administered by Wirral Borough Council, with offices in Liverpool

Merseyside parishes and unparished areasMerseyside parishes and unparished areas

Although the County Council was abolished in 1986, the metropolitan county continues to exist in law and as a geographic frame of reference.^[1] For the 12 years following 1974 the county had a two-tier system of local government; district councils shared power with the Merseyside County Council. Most of Merseyside county is unparished. The Merseyside County Council existed for a total of twelve years. It was established on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972. However, along with the other five metropolitan county councils and the Greater London Council it was abolished on 31 March 1986 by the Local Government Act 1985.^[11]

Merseyside geographyMerseyside geography

The Mersey estuary divides Merseyside into two parts. The Wirral is located on the west side of the estuary, on the Wirral Peninsula. The Wirral Peninsula is about 15 miles long and 7 miles wide. The rest of Merseyside is on the east side of the estuary. This includes the city of Liverpool and the boroughs of Knowsley, Sefton, and St. Helens.^[12] the Liverpool and Southwest Lancashire Family History Society provides research opportunities to its members. Because Merseyside county was part of Lancashire county before the Local Government Act 1972, its historic records can be research in Lancashire county.

Researching family history in MerseysideResearching family history in Merseyside

The Liverpool City Council has a Family History web page for the Liverpool Record Office in the Central Library. The collections in the Central Library date from 13th century onwards and contain original documents, photographs, maps and newspapers which record the lives of Liverpudlians across the centuries. Liverpool Family History has online records that include parish records, births, marriages, deaths, societies, burials, cemeteries and many more valuable records.^[13] The Liverpool Maritime Museum features maritime history.

Ethnicities in MerseysideEthnicities in Merseyside

The demographic distribution of the Merseyside population is as follows:^[4]

According to the latest 2021 census, the population in Merseyside is predominantly white (91.7%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 8.3% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in Merseyside accounting for 3.1% of the population. 21,902 or 2% of the Merseyside population are black according to the latest 2021 census. In England more broadly the portion of the population that is white is 81%. 10% are Asian and 4% are Black.

Population by race in Merseyside, 2021 census:

White - 1,304,797 people or 91.7%
Asian - 44,452 people or 3.1%
Mixed - 30,495 people or 2.1%
Black - 21,902 people or 1.5%
Other - 21,640 people or 1.5%

Surnames in MerseysideSurnames in Merseyside

The demographic distribution of Merseyside surnames is as follows:^[14]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Jones	23,012	1:60
Smith	16,276	1:85
Williams	13,997	1:99
Davies	10,149	1:137
Hughes	9,787	1:142
Roberts	9,571	1:145
Taylor	8,219	1:169
Johnson	6,715	1:207
Brown	6,603	1:210
Murphy	6,495	1:214

Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties

MyHeritage has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

References

[:2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Merseyside - OpenStreetMap Wiki

[2] Today marks 50 years since creation of Merseyside

[3] Merseyside, United Kingdom | The Cultural Me

[:0-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Merseyside Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing

[5] Rivers and Streams in Merseyside

[6] Natural Landscapes of Merseyside • Historic Liverpool

[:3-7] 7.0 ^7.1 About Liverpool | Southern Connecticut State University

[8] Agricultural facts: North West region

[9] The Beatles Story

[10] Liverpool Cathedral

[11] Merseyside | Culture Wikia | Fandom

[12] History of the Wirral Peninsula

[13] Liverpool Family History

[14] Most Common Surnames in Merseyside, With Meanings

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