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Key hill cemetery burial 1866

Stephen,
How lovely that you will be visiting your family grave in the near future. I am sure you are right that Joseph Bywater would never of imagined his grave being visited by his family in the 21st century. Last year Wendy helped me to find the graves of my Great Grandparents and Grandparents at Key Hill. Neither of the graves had been visited for many years but I now go whenever I can and they now look tidy and cared for. As they all died long before I was born I often wonder if they ever imagined a relative would be tending their graves after so many years had passed. After finding the graves I became a member of the Friends of Key Hill. It doesn't cost much to join but it is a good way of supporting the work there and members are sent newsletters which may be very useful to you as you do not live locally. Take a look at the webpage.
Polly :)
 
Since last July we have restored 51 memorials to their original status - some are relatives of members, some are sponsored by individuals (our Lord Mayor pais for Tangye - the Hydraulics engineer), and the rest sponsored by the Friends, through subs, donations & our September 'oopen days'. The Cemeteries have restored 7 public graves. We know of a couple waiting to be restored in the next 'eave' - so all additions are welcomed. We may not get them all back up - but we'll have a good time trying!
Hope to see you in April
 
Hope this attachment works - The Bywater headstone has just been re-erected by the Friends and family relatives.!

It's one of 8 that been in progress for some time. Fortunately the stonemasons have expressed the work especially for our Open Weekend - THIS SAT/SUN 10-4 !
 
How lovely to see it back where it belongs.
Well done to everyone involved!

Thanks for posting the photos Brian.
Polly :)
 
Thanks for posting the pictures of the Bywater grave Brian. Glad to see it upstanding. Thank you very much for all that you have done to help re-establish the monument.

Cheers

Steve Crathorn
 
Thankyou all very much for the wonderful work put into restoring my 4 x great grandfather's grave - Joseph Bywater. I will endeavour to travel up very soon - i will let Dick empson know - and hopefully meet more of you and thank you in person. My family are thrilled at what you have achieved. I am looking forward to returningand this time laying flowers on his grave for perhaps the first time in maybe 100 years or so.
stephen johnson
 
I forgot to say that I will let Brian know the family history so it can be used in any newsletters/publications re: Joseph Bywater

When I last visited Birmingham I obtained a copy of a photo taken in 1945 showing Ludgate Hill from Queensway. I have uploaded it. It shows on the right of the picture two people walking in the direction of the camera - the building behind them is 3 Ludgate Hill where Joseph Bywater until his death there on 8th June 1866View attachment 57160
 
Re: Key hill cemetery burial 1866. From Stephen Johnson

What a great family history and so nice to find a family grave, There are a few of us on here who share your excitement as we have done the same good luck with your quest. Wendy x
 
Re: Key hill cemetery burial 1866. From Stephen Johnson

Thankyou Wendy for your kind comments. I am hoping to visit early October - the weather should still be ok. Will let Dick know re: date of visit and to make sure its a time and date suitable to him and hopefully others so I can personally thank all of you on behalf of all my family.

Stephen Johnson
 
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