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Key Hill Cemetery

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wendy
  • Start date Start date
Key Hill

I was there with my son and he found it quite moving.A really nice day out! He couldn't believe how many famous Birmingham worthies are buried there.As an aside,does anyone know what numbers won on the raffle?
 
Hello Bob, sorry I missed you at the open day!

Here is the lady to contact concerning the raffle or anything to do with Key Hill Cemetery.

Pauline Roberts
[email protected]
 
Key Hill

Moma P.Thanks for your reply.I tried the website name she gave me but it is not up and running yet.To change the subject slightly,I used to live in Great King Street and used the cemetery as a playground,not as they do in these days,of course,drugs,vandalism etc;As far as I know,one of my Great grand parent's is buried in there,name of Vernon.There are a couple of Vernon's in there but as yet I don't know if they are anything to do with me.One of the names I saw was on the Charles Edge headstone on the catacombs,so you never know,I may be related to him!!!!!.To think that all those many years ago I used to play in there and never knew or realised what was there.You could be standing a few feet away from some of the people who made Brum what it was and what it is today.Slight change of subject.I also used to play in Key Hill on the opposite side of the road to the cemetery behind some shops and behind the P.O. on Hockley Hill.It was like an old farmyard but it had an air-raid shelter which we used to use as a den.Does anyone else know about this or even live there?
 
Thanks for the memories Bob. I have a friend who also played there as a boy but as he told me they never touched or stood on the graves.
I found all the info for my family buried at Key Hill from the burial registers at the library.
 
public graves at Key Hill Cemetary

Hi

I have just discovered that my grandmother is buried in a public grave at key Hill cemetary. Would anyone know where section 10v is in the cemetary? Someone kindly posted a plan of the cemetary but sadly I couldnt find section v. Does anyone know if there are markers or headstones for these graves? She was buried there on 30 April 1959.

thanks!
Suzy:)
 
Hello Suzy, it may be section V or U have another look at the plan and you will see this section. I know this cemetery well and there are several large headstones in this section with names that are buried in the public grave. There are some pictures posted on this thread so you can see what they look like. Sadly some are very worn and the names difficult to read. If you let me know the name you are looking for the next time I visit I will have a look for you.
 
Hi Moma P

Thanks so much for your reply!

It might be section U, someone looked it up in the Birmingham library on our behalf as we are in Ireland.
I would be ever so grateful if you could look out for her name- Georgina Hathaway -on one of the stones for the public graves, she was buried there on 30th April 1959. If you do by some miraculous chance find her name, would you be so kind as to take another photo?
I would appreciate it very much! Again, thanks for all your info and help,

Suzy
 
Hi Suzy, I will have a look the next time I visit and I always take my camera!
 
Liscoole 41 if you go back through this thread to Toomb Damage the photo's are of the vaults which I believe is V section. Sadly these are completely covered again by ivy. I will try and have a look for Georgina but it depends how bad the ground is. I hope to visit next Saturday with some of the forum members.......weather permitting.
 
vaults

Thanks Moma P!!

I had a look at your photos, as you say, it is very hard to make out any of the names! Are the vaults common graves? I would have imagined they would have been private ones. Anyway, thanks for all your efforts, hope you and the others have an interesting day out there- and hope the weather holds out for you!!!;)
 
Key Hill looks a right neglected dump, frankly I wouldn't be seen dead in there. :)
 
Edge's in Key Hill

I have posted this as there are a few people searching for the Edge family name. Charles Edge was a prominent Birmingham architect and designed Key Hill cemetery.
 
Hi Momma P

I hope you don't mind me asking, but next time you go to key hill, could you have a look to see if there is anything left of my great grandmothers grave. (I've never seen it so don't know where it is)

Emma Hopkins
Died Oct 27th 1903
Intered at Key Hill Nov 1st Aged 61

Don't get to the area much these days but I would like a pic if possible, (any expences please let me know)

Thanks
 
Well unless you're not buried deep enough, you won't be!!

You are right, though, the place is in a terrible state. I'm disappointed the City doesn't smarten it up, as so many of the people who made Birmingham great are interred there. The worse it gets, the more it will attract the vandals unil eventually it will become unsaveable.
 
Badger, I am sorry but without an area or plot it would take days to search. The records for Key Hill are kept at Handsworth. If you give them all the info you have they might give you a grave number. They normally charge so beware the best idea is to visit the office and ask. The other avenue is the index is at central library. If you can get more information I will try and help.

Lloyd, it is sad but there have been improvements since the set up of The Friends Of Key Hill Cemetery of which I am a member.
 
there have been improvements since the set up of The Friends Of Key Hill Cemetery

At least that's something. Thanks to you all (FoKHC) for caring. Is it open most days? - I've got some spare time and might pop over to see it, I've never been in although I used to pass it 3 or 4 times a week.
 
Lloyd, it never closes the gates don't close.....yet! We have done a couple of walkes from the web ring. I know some of the notable graves and we will make a date to meet up there when the weather improves.
 
Badger a friend of mine is going to have a look for Emma in the Key Hill indexes when the library opens again. Watch this space.
 
Moma P said:
Here is a perfect example of the problems of the upkeep of cemeteries. The wall is lined with tombs and the inscriptions are on the slabs. The ivy was cleared last year by one man a volunteer, when I took these photos. You can see how it has dammaged the inscriptions. When I visited last month with Pom and Cromwell the tombs were completley covered in ivy again. Not many people even know they are there.
Click to expand...

:crying:
this is a pity that our grave / churchyards are being so negleted,
I am looking for a Gt Grandfather who is buried at St Johns Perry Barr but taking a visit there last September time it was in the same state :shocked:that this one must have been in before that clear up, but as you say the Ivy grows back again.
We uncovered (wife & I) 2 plaques on the wall ALMOST THE SAME as your 1st picture here and an edging to another at foot level that was "lost" to all who entered.
 
Emma Hopkins

Badger,
Emma Hopkins is buried in Section C grave number 304. This is the area near to Key Hill Drive. The grave is a public grave and does have a headstone which sadly is laid down. Unfortunatly Emma's name is not included on the headstone. These graves had to be paid for although not as expencive as a private grave. It would cost more to add a name onto the headstone, that's if there was room.

This information was given to me by Colin Giles a volunteer at The Pen Room Museum. When I next visit Key Hill I will take a photo for you. Wendy.
 
Wendy you're a star, thank you.
I was looking the other night and I don't have a death date for Emma's husband Thomas, I was hoping the grave would tell me they are together and inscriptions would confirm the date of death, however from what you say, that's now unlikely.
 
Badger it was Colin who did all the work I just posted it. Anyway I have made a note for my next visit. I will have a look just in case Thomas is on the headstone.
 
Thanks for that MommaP....Just as an aside....its very sad about all the dammage and neglect in old cemetaries, however I have relatives at Brandwood end. and they also have a friends of!! group. They seem to be acheiving quite a lot (revamped garden of remembrance, new sineage, tree maintenance and a big project, restoring the victorian chapels) I don't know if the council help with funding or its all donations, but it seems a hell of a lot of donations would be required for that lot. I just wondered if your Friends of Key hill group had any such plans of that magnitude or not?, and if the firends are talking to the right people re funding? considering the importance of some of the cemetaries residents...just a thought!
 
Hi Badger, thanks for your comments. The big problem with Key Hill cemetery is its location and the fact it is now closed for burial, so most of the relatives of the dead are also no longer with us. There has been some funding new benches information boards new paths trees and bushes removed this was mostly funded by the council. The memorials can only be reinstated with permission from the families concerned. The chairperson is wrighting a book about the residents from which all proceeds will go to the cemetery funds. There also has been a lot of lobbying for funds to repair the gate posts, whether that will ever happen i'm not sure. Local schools have done projects and I believe they are producing a colouring book......I think this is to keep the young interested.
The problem is people love to visit stately homes but not many are interested in cemeteries. I think The Friends of Key Hill are also struggling for committee members.
I have followed the progress at Brandwood End Cemetery and they seem to have a great team all working together, I think maybe thats the secret to their success!
When I was on the comittee at Key Hill they came to us for advice on starting the group...now they are doing better. Its great that people want to give their time for these projects. Thanks for the input badger.
 
Hi Wendy........Just wondering if you ever had a chance to get back to Key Hill, and if you managed to check whether or not my great grandfather Thomas Hopkins' name is inscribed on the headstone of the public grave that contains Emma's remains. Incidently I couldn't get on to you webstite FofKHC

Badger
 
I just came accross this thread while looking through the forum, most of my husbands family, The Jennens are apparently buried at Key Hill, and St Lilas was where most were Christened, would St Lilas still have records from 1800s, or would they be held somewhere else, we were going to go over and have a look around, to gather more information, but, by the sounds of it, there is no point, going to Key Hill, if is it in as bad a state, as mentioned, its a shame when our families can not rest in piece, without vandals distroying there final resting place, St Mary's Handsworth was a popular crem also, a lot of his family rest there.
 
Badger, I am sorry I have not been to visit yet as the weather has not been good. I can only go weekends as I work.

Buttercup, I am not sure about your post. My paternal family name is Jennings and several were married at St Silas in Lozells, I am not sure if this is the church you mean as I have never heard of "St Lilas". I have two Jennings family graves at Key Hill.
I am a little confused with your post but the records for St Silas are at Central Library in the Archives. Key Hill is a beautiful cemetery and many people work very hard to maintain and improve it. Most of the graves lain down is due to heath and safety and not vandalisim. Key Hill is the oldest cemetery in Birmingham and many of our notable Birmingham people are buried there, it is well worth a visits!
Also St Mary's is a church with a churchyard. Handsworth Cemetery is a totally different place.
 
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