St Joseph

St Joseph's Graveyard.

Since starting this web site I have received many requests for information from people trying to identify where a grave of a relative or friend was. Up till now I have always had to direct that the enquirer look to St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham where all old records had been archived.

I am pleased to say I am now in a position to change that. I have now managed to obtain a map showing the names and positions of their internment. Set out below is a list of all those identified to date. I am sorry to say that not all graves have yet been identified as much more work is still required. If your relative or friend is not included, I will remind you of my earlier comment, that St Chad's still hold details of all buried in Graveyard.

My appreciation goes out to Mr Trevor Colridge, and pupils from St Joseph's, without whose hard work, this information would not be available.

If you want further information on any person (s) listed below, please contact me.

Blessing of graveyard by Fr. Gerry Lennon on Sunday 15th November 2009

You may also wish to visit http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/mi/mi_brum_nechells.html

This has quite a full list of persons buried at St Joseph's and in fact provides greater coverage than the list I have entered. I am however aware that it does contain a few spelling errors and omissions. I do think that overall though, it will at least provide the determined examiner with avenues to explore.

We now seem to be receiving many requests and comments about the grave lists. I have included 4 for your information. What is clear is that many people are now tracing their ancestors.

(1) Thanks Mr Scott for your help have located the grave of my great great grandpa rants o n the right hand side of the main path the grave holds 4 persons being Thomas Whelan Cecilia Whelan and my nan's father George James and her brother Francis the pages are missing in the church records but found Thomas Whelan at the records dept at St Chad's would it be possible to add them to the main grave list

Thomas Whelan born 1848 interred April 22nd 1906 service by Father Chatterway.

Cecilia Whelan born 1855 died c 1919

George James 1882 died 1917

Francis not sure birth died c 1917 or 1918 age about 7

regards Mark James

(2)

My brother and I have been trying to locate our relative’s graves and have in fact visited St Josephs and looked at the records. Unfortunately, there is a gap of many years

and this period coincides with the dates we were looking for. We did find one grave which is not in either of your lists, of our aunt, Julia Blanche Davis. Grave No. 4/222. She died in July 1928. The grave also contains her sister Florence who died in June 1931 and also Julia’s husband Ernest. The headstone, despite the years, was in very good condition and we took a photograph. The grave is situated close to where the school site was located. Perhaps, you have not listed this area of the graveyard yet?

We were also trying to find two other aunts, an uncle and our grandfather, without success to date.

Thought that the info. might be of interest in compiling your list.

I replied to John and received this reply

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your reply.

I found the information on my aunt’s grave in the record books in the presbytery and Danny took me to the location. I am surprised that it was missed off the list because the headstone is very good quality, stands out, is quite a good size and in remarkably good condition, considering that it is nearly 80 years old. I think that we will have to arrange to visit the achieves at St Chad’s to progress our search.

Regards,

J W Brown.

(3)

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me - I have the number 25 grave number for St Josephs in Nechells - would you know or do you have a map of the grave numbers

Kind Regards

Christine Welch

(4)

I was interested to discover your website about the history of St Joseph's RC church and school.

I am currently researching my family history and understand from my Uncle that my Great-great-grandfather and his first wife are buried in Nechells cemetery. Are you able to tell me if the cemetery still survives and where it is? I assume that St Joseph's graveyard is a separate location. My husband and I are planning a trip to Birmingham in a few weeks to track down death certificates and houses etc., Do you know where we could find records of burials in the cemetery?

Hope you can be of help.

Best wishes Lesley Mitchell

(5)

I was interested in your list of graves as I have not yet been able to visit the churchyard to have a look for my relatives graves. They are not on the lists on this site or linked site.

The following were definitely buried there :-

Benice Muriel Mayson 1930 Age 23 years

Kenneth Fraser Mayson 1931 Age 26 years

Elizabeth Heloise Onan Mayson 1947 Age 66 years

John Mayson 1954 Age 78 years

We hope to have a look for the grave plot at some time soon, unfortunately I do not know the plot number or location apart from being told that it is by a wall.I just thought the information may be helpful for your listing efforts.

Regards, Peter Mayson

Below are a few old photographs taken before a major clean up of the Cemetery and Church area began.

The dates are shown on the prints.