Villamark1
New Member
My mother is a Kirby before she got married so my grandad was an original Kirby I'm not sure when he was born but he fought in WW2 so he must have been born in the 20s and he was from Birmingham
Wow what a colourful past. Annie married William Herbert Cox and I started by trying to see about his military record as I have his medals. But trying other websites has come up with nothing. It was also interesting in another part of this web site someone mention that the Kirby’s were friends with the Broadhurst’s. what a coincidence as I married a Broadhurst. So interesting. Thank you so much for the info I have passed it on to my sister we have had a good laughWelcome to the forum Amanda.
Your James was a naughty boy as records show.
He married Annie in 1892
1901 , 165 Hurst street
James Kirby age 29 Fruit salesman
Anne age 26
Annie 6
James 7 months
In 1911 3 Nile terrace,
Annie Kirby age 36
Annie 17
James 10
Leonard 8
Arthur 6
Ivy 5
Doris 3
Horace 1
At the time of the 1911 census James was in Winson Green prison where he had been a few times before.
21st April 1893, 3 months for assault on Police constable
2nd April 1906 4 months for theft 1 cap and pair gloves
20th July 1909 1 month for assault
July 1910 3 months for false pretences
Jan 1911 he was on remand for defrauding a lady named Lydia Wyer.Lydia and her husband had a Gentlemans outfitters in Spooner street.
The Kirby family , not just yours , but the whole 'clan' appear to have a colourful past,
I recently read an article about Birmingham 'gangsters' and it was primarily about the Peaky Blinders but it said that the Kirby family in the 20s were so notorious that the people of the City were afraid to testify against them.
Not a boring family tree Amanda , lol,
Enjoy your time on the forum. Alberta.
Thanks for your reply definitely think that Alberta has given me the right link. I remember Aunty Ivy but my Grandmother Annie died when she was 46 and my Dad was only 14 . Spoke to my mom who will be 91 soon. She confirmed that the Kirby’s were rogues. She also told me Annie (snr) remarried not sure if she divorced James. More research .Don't think our Kirby branch is related to any of the above.
1911 Census found them at 64 Church Lane, Aston.
William Kirby 43
Janet Letitia Kirby 43 (Nee While)
Eva Dorothy Kirby 16
William Norman Kirby 15
Lawrence Victor Kirby 13
Reginald John Kirby 11
Janet Elizabeth Kirby 10
James Frederick Kirby 9
Lucy Honor Kirby 7
Gladys Julia Kirby 4.
Hi JackieDo we just talk on her?, not to good on computers, lol
Hi I spoke to my Aunt and there was a bigamy case but apparently there had been a letter saying James had died when he was in Ireland. Annie remarried thinking she was a widow. Fortunately my Grandfather her son had seen the letter and went as a witness to court so it went no further. I would love to see any photo’s that you have. My mom has a few photo’s of Annie ( junior) my grandmother . I should be able to get a copy for you .Hi Amanda, James and Annie were my great grandparents, my grandfather being their son Arthur. I have some interesting info if you are interested. This includes a picture of Eliza (James’s mom), marriage certificate for Annie and James and some newspaper clippings relating to James’s run in with the law. My father Sidney (uses Derek) was talking with me about the family only today. Annie did re marry as James disappeared for a long time. The story goes that one day he arrived at her home and was met with her new husband (tricky situation). I also hear that Annie may have been charged with bigamy. However this is just a rumour. Glad to exchange notes.
Here is the census of 1911
Annie is head but not widowed
James at this time appears to be in winson green View attachment 146274
Hi I spoke to my Aunt and there was a bigamy case but apparently there had been a letter saying James had died when he was in Ireland. Annie remarried thinking she was a widow. Fortunately my Grandfather her son had seen the letter and went as a witness to court so it went no further. I would love to see any photo’s that you have. My mom has a few photo’s of Annie ( junior) my grandmother . I should be able to get a copy for you .
Good Evening - this is a long shot but one I am willing to take, I live in Essex so find it difficult to research locally and I dont have a have a great understanding of the area. I am researching my family who originate from Birmingham and their surname, was Kirby! My Grandmother is Violet Ann Kirby born in 1917, she moved to Essex to marry in 1939 however she passed away in 1964. The records from 1939 are clear however I can not trace her before that. All i know is that her father is Thomas George Kirby, he passed away before 1939 however as is detailed on her marriage certificate.
Any assistance will be greatly received. I believe I have been able to trace Violets fathers details but again - there is little that jumps out as I cant also trace his wife (Violets Mother).
Also we believe that Violet was the sister of Horace and "Archie"
Kind Regards
Claire
We believe so although not confirmed and again, his records are rather elusive too. The only confirmed links we know are:Is Archie Violet's brother?