• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Key Hill Cemetery

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wendy
  • Start date Start date
Hi to and all
Well on this beautiful morning (Sunday) My wife and i went up to Key Hill, just after 10am. We tidied up a bit around Gt Nan & Grandads grave, moved a few branches which had fallen. I know autum is here, but was suprised at the amount of leaves that had fallen already. The flower bed by the gate still looks well. Then it was off to Witton to tend to another 2 graves. It gives you great satisfaction to know that after searching for months, you then find your relations grave. It is like you have rescued it and made it seem something of great importance once again.
Regards stars
 
Hi Stars

It's amazing how there can be so many leaves on the ground - yet the trees still look full!

have swept some paths, bit too hot to do much, have done the path back of the catacombs (but needs it again already!),but not the War memorial path yet.
If anyone is visiting - Please feel free to bring a broom!
 
thumb_KH_Key_Hill_Gates_being_measured_for_restoration.JPG
Key Hill gates before removal - The Foundry name is on the centre bar of the right hand gate as you look at it!
 
Hi
After finding the grave of my gt Nan & Grandad George & Jane Greatrex at Key Hill ( with the help of Brian & Wendy) I previously placed some photo's of the grave on the Forum. These photo's are replacements.

regards Stars

George___Jane_Greatrex_grave_after_clean_up.jpg
IMG00009-20110801-1457.jpg
IMG00010-20110801-1457.jpg
IMG00008-20110801-1455.jpg
 
Hi wendy
I hope you are well. I know you have done greatrex before for me, but when you get time could you check for Thomas Greatrex born 1829 and died 1912. I believe he died in Western Rd Work House. I wonderd if perhaps he was at key hill. Iknow he was at Western Rd in 1901 & 1911.

Thank you for your time Stars (Eric)
 
Cath and I had a walk round key Hill Cemetery today, The place is looking really smart and tidy. Congratulations to Brian, wendy and all the helpers for all their hard work.
 
hi Frothblower
Small world, me and my wife were at Key Hill this morning, about 10-15 to 11-0.
regards Stars
 


Here are all the Greatrex names at Key Hill.

Surname Forenames Year Section Ref No inPlot GraveGREATREX

Charles Herbert Wills 1882​
G 12 (Vault) 29064​
George Andrew 1938​
R 1126 56298 2 MI ​
Jane 1936​
R 1126 56016 2 MI ​
Samuel 1843​
F 15 2860 ​
cc.​
Thomas 1933 L 226 55318
 
This is Emma Sharp, My Gt. Grandmother. She was buried in Key Hill but moved for the Metro. Her name is on the screen.
Scan-17.jpg
 
smashing photo rosie..you are so lucky to have it and thanks for sharing it with us all..

lyn
 
What a lovely photo rosie, they are so precious aren't they. Thank you for sharing it with us.
 
several years ago (2004?) I sent a copy of a bill for a memorial at Birmingham General Cemetery to the Friends of Key Hill. At the time there was no way of checking if the memorial still existed. Are there records now that can be searched? It sounds quite an expensive memorial - cost over £19 in 1848!

I have tried to add the picture but can't seem to log in to the image hosting link at the top..
 
Hello netti if you let me have the details I will look for you. If you don't want to put them on the forum send me an IM.
 
here are the details

Susannah Purser wife of Joseph Purser. The bill is dated 22 September 1848 and is signed by the registrar P(?) G Barnes. Joseph was a coal & iron mines proprietor (magistrate) according to the 1851 census. He was born in Hackney we think but lived in Rowley Regis.
purser_cemetery.jpg
 
What a wonderful bill how I wish I had the one for my family.
I have checked the indexes and found Susannah in section I grave no 469 reference no 6209. It states there is only one person in the grave.This area of the cemetery is very old and some of the memorials are damaged. It states no memorial inscription is recorded. I also note the memorial was a flat slab. Many of these were covered over in Key Hill although later ones had the inscription transcribed.
Key_Hill_map_edit.jpg
It may be worth contacting Brian Southwell and asking if they could have a look at the area to see if there is any sign of a buried memorial. Brian is not doing anything at the moment as he has had a bereavement in his own family. But I am sure he will look into it when he returns.
 
That was quick Wendy! thank you

shame the inscription has gone - 8 and a half dozen letters, wonder what they said?

I don't know Brian - is he easy to find on here?
 
Hi Netti - I have the Pikes Papers here at home, which records all inscriptions on the graves flattened in 1954 and looking through, I can see that 468 was removed, and the next was 471, so you might just be lucky.

Personally, I would advice not holding your breath on this one, because of what I told you before - in the 1960's the grave diggers were told to bury any damaged stones. I know of one lady buried in 1969 and her headstone is not there, presumably vandalised and the grave diggers buried the stone - or someone made off with it. I prefer the former.

Shortie
 
Hi netti I will contact Brian for you. I have all the memorial inscriptions for Key Hill and knew it wasn't there. We have found graves in the past that have been buried almost in tact which are not on the pike list so lets hope.I found one last year with Brians help. Some have been found fragmented which was common in this section...so very sad.

Please be aware anyone visiting at the moment will not be able th access the cemetery from Key Hill entrance as it is competely blocked off while work is being done on the new gates and gate posts.
 
netti - thank you for posting the bill from key Hill cemetery - I have never seen one before and it was lovely to see it. I love the picture at the top.
I am sure Brian will help you find your relatives grave as soon as he can. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that the headstone is still there.
 
What a stoke of luck Susanna Purser's grave is next to this one which was had restored recently. This is the Walton family grave which I did some research on. Most people who visit the cemetery know exactly where this one is. The one the other side of Susanna's grave is Fanny Scott and Mary Dixon.

This is a photo of the Walton memorial.
Walton_family_edit.jpg
 
Wendy, What a beautiful memorial. I can't believe that I have never seen it :stupid: I must have walked round with my eyes closed to miss this one!
Is Susanna's grave to the left of the statue?
 
Hi Wendy

with all the excitement on the other thread I missed this sorry! I will await further news patiently :-)
 
Hi Netti,

Sorry prebokked absence for the weekend - just got in, and having a browse while the baths running!

I'm afraid so much documentation & research given to or done by previous Friends has either 'gone astray', not been handeo ver or just kep for personal reasons or whatever.

I have never seen your Bill before, and I'm sure Richard The current Secretary does not possess it.

The Friends do not have a copy of the Pike Papers themselves - although given permission to copy them - which several people have taken the option up on over the years.

However, the BMSGH have made a copy and if their Disk shows MI against an interment, they will be able to supply you with the text of the inscription - I have only found this out in the last few days.
email Yvonne Harison on yh_uci@btinternet.com for details.

There are hnadwritten papers on Fullscap, and typed copies at handsworth, but not in a precise order, and the staff do not have the time to wade through them.
Since the BMSGH have copied them, we are now referring enquiries to them.
We do not any volunteers who will undertake such a task to help people out at present, although one day pherhaps we will find one to visit, copy and leave it in the archives for all members to use free of charge.

Just another on the wish list. I hope to visit KH maybe Tuesday, and will have a look at your gravesite

Brian
 
Yes Polly it would be to the left of the Walton grave.
Walton_memorial_edited_.jpg
This is how it used to look..
 
I much prefer it in the first photo Wendy! Have you put your research on this memorial on the forum - you have got me interested in it now :adoration:
 
I am not sure will have to check it is in my folder deposited at the Pen Room for all to see.
 
Thank you Wendy - if it is not on the forum I can easily have a look the next time I am in the Pen Room - It is so kind that you and others have spent so much time doing research and then made sure it is available for others to see. I have done a bit of research on the cemeteries - mainly from old papers - but I posted it all to Brian and it is now in the relevant folders and some of it was used for the trail that Colin did for the open day. I have a long way to go to catch up with the amount of research you have done over the years but every little bit helps and it is very satisfying to know that others will benefit from it.:adoration:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top