Archives for May 2026

The Society is seeking support from members to acquire a larger-format scanner that will allow us to properly preserve and digitise our collection of oversized and delicate materials acquired by the library but so far not accessible to members.

At present, we only have access to a standard A4 scanner- whilst suitable for everyday documents, it is simply not adequate for the larger books, maps, photographs, and archival images in our care. Attempting to force these items onto a small scanner risk damaging spines, causing irreversible damage to fragile originals. A larger-format scanner would allow us to capture these materials safely, accurately, and in full – preserving both their content and their condition for future generations.

With your support, we can invest in the right equipment to protect these valuable resources while making them more accessible through high-quality digital copies. The scanner would be available for use by members in the library.

Any contribution towards this goal would make a meaningful difference and help ensure that these important materials are preserved with the care they deserve.

Visit the Midland Ancestors shop to make a contribution.

Thank you for your support!

Stories to Remember is a free event run by the charity ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ and the University of Hertfordshire to create stories inspired by those buried in Key Hill Cemeteries public graves. Whilst visitors to this Jewellery Quarter site often focus on the famous faces buried there, the vast majority of those who lie here are the working-class poor of Birmingham, buried in mass graves with over 100 others. It’s now time for their voice to be heard.

Creative writers of all experience levels will work with the Birmingham-based ‘Bone Ensemble’ to create short pieces of creative writing inspired by individuals buried at Key Hill over 100 years ago. Full support will be given and the result will be an anthology of writing published this Autumn. For further details, and to book, please visit bit.ly/cfga-stories-to-remember

We also need help from Birmingham family historians! Do you have a family member you would like featured in a story? Can you spare some time to research some of those buried at Key Hill and give a brief biography of them (even if this is just a list of census entries). Any support would be gratefully received, please contact Rachel at rachel@cfga.org.uk for more information. Thank you!