How do I begin finding out about the Brettle and Brettell family?
Well, of course, you can begin here but if you wish to go further you should look at Mary Brettell's rootsweb page and a message board at Ancestry where you will find much more. Wikitree and Black Country Connections are other sources of information.
Whats the significance of the Black Country in Brettle family history?
I believe that the Brettles and Brettells originated from the Black Country and the geography of the area and the environmental, social and political conditions of the area lived in are relevant to how their family history developed. You can find much more about the Black Country's geography and living conditions here.
What is the origin of the Brettle and Brettell name?
There are four main ideas of where the name came from: a Celtic source; from de Breteuil, a Norman Frence family; from Huguenot settlers in the 16th century and a geographic location, Bredhill. Follow up the hyperlinks and make up your own mind!
Apart from the Black Country are there Brettles and Brettells in other parts of the UK and abroad?
Yes, although the Brettles and Brettells are strongly concentrated in North Worcestershire and South Staffordshire they can be found in other parts of the UK and other parts of the world especially the US, Australia due to emigration and surprisingly Germany. You can find more details here.
Who were the most significant families who intermarried with the Brettles and Brettells in the Black Country?
The most significant are Priest, Nock, Astbury, Cartwright, Cooper, Faulkner, Griffiths, Hackett, Hardeman, Harris, Johnson, Lowe, Morris, Moy, Oldfield, Page, Parks, Perry, Poole, Shilvock, Tromans, Wallis, Willetts and York; so if you bear these family names your may have a Brettle in your ancestors.