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Kirby family (between 1891 and 1911)

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
 
I have just found this site by accident and it’s brilliant . My great grandparents were Annie Kirby nee Parton who was married to James Kirby. Their daughter Annie was my grandmother I would love any information anyone has about them. The funny thing is after reading these messages we see the Broadhurst mob described . I married a John Broadhurst and we are wondering if they were from this family . How exciting any information would be great many thanks
 
Welcome 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.
 
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Alberta said:
Welcome 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.
Click to expand...
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 laugh
 
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.
 
devonjim said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 .
 
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.
 
RKBrummie said:
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.
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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 .
 
RKBrummie said:
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
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Amanda58 said:
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 .
Click to expand...


here is a news paper article on James. In fact his parents Eliza and James Snr were just as bad
 

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Thank you I will try to send you the photo’s when I see my Mom later this week. She is shielding as she is 91 !
 
Not far away, I’m now close the Stratford upon Avon. Just so I am right, your related to Annie Jnr - their oldest child?
 
Yes Annie (jnr) was my grandmother. Unfortunately I never met her as she died aged 48 . She had rheumatic fever which caused damage to her heart. My Father Barry was her youngest son he died 6 years ago. Her youngest daughter Jean is still alive . I new nothing of the criminal side of the family until I went on this site. Came as a surprise. My Dad had told my Mom it’s been interesting he was a gentle kind man and I miss him. I haven’t been able to track very Much about my Grandfathers family but hope to do more once the library opens up . Great talking to you
 
Yes and to you too. I do have a photo of James mom, but I warn you that it’s not pleasant
Big lass and looks as hard as nails. There is quite a story to the clan. It appears that they relate to a Kirby that relocated to beam from wellington Shropshire. He was a shoe maker. Eliza was always associated with the pub/food sector, she was land lady of a pub or two and fish fryers, one being in hurst st.
I will send what I have when I get my hands on it. Would be lovely to meet up with you guys at some point.
 
That would be great I could bring copies of any photos Mom has. We just need to see what is happening with the COVID situation.
Amanda
 
Hi my dad was adopted in 1955 in Birmingham we have just found out hes dad was called john kirby hes mom was beryl kirby does anybody have any information on john ?
 
With only the name to go on, it would be very difficult to be certain of any info. There are a number of John Kirbys registered in Bham in 1920s & 1930s and that's assuming he was born locally and was a similar age to his wife.

If I have the right people then Beryl is easier to track. Born Beryl P G Finch 1931, re-marries in 1957.
 
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).

Kind Regards

Claire
 
ClaireKirby said:
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
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There is only one death registered in Bham area for a Thomas G Kirby between 1917 and 1939, and that's in 1929 aged 47.

The only corresponding birth is a Thomas George Kirby registered in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the son of George Henry Kirby and a Sarah Arrowsmith, both born in Gloucestershire.

They as well as Thomas George are a bit elusive but George Henry and Sarah are living in Sutton Coldfield (now part of Bham) in 1911, so there is a connection to the area.
 
Thanks - we knew Thomas George Kirby died young before his daughter Violets marriage so that would tie in.

I would love to know if anyone knew of Violet, Horace, Archie or Thomas Kirby to confirm their relationships. We understand that children would perhaps move around so records not always accurate. As you say, Elusive!
 
MWS said:
Is Archie Violet's brother?
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We believe so although not confirmed and again, his records are rather elusive too. The only confirmed links we know are:

Violet Kirby born 1917, brother of Horace Kirby born 1914 and possible brother Archie born 1911. Violets father was Thomas George Kirby who passed away between 1917 and 1939. Horace married Lillian Spencer. All of whom were from Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire area.
 
Speculation - it is possible then that Thomas Geoge Kirby married a Miss Thornton, there is no registration so maybe not in England.

With Thomas George's parents in 1911 is an Albert Kirby listed as grandson. Thomas George is their only child, so Albert would have to be his son.

There is no registration for Albert, so again possibly not born in England/Wales. He seems to be Albert E F Thornton and on the 1939 register he is living in Sutton Coldfield with a brother Archibald George Henry and a sister Evelyn Dorothy. There are registrations for both and mmn is listed as Thornton.

No likely registration for Horace or Violet with or without mmn of Thornton, so maybe not born in England/Wales.

Could Thomas have married a Scottish girl? And Archibald named after her family.
 
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