Description:This is an additional miscellaneous resource list of materials on the subject of ‘migration stories’. Each item was suggested by the staff of Birmingham's Archives and Heritage Services during research seminars held by the Birmingham Stories project. These can be used in conjuction with the resources in the learning guide on ‘Migration Stories’
[Note: in brackets are the reference numbers needed to order the item]
[SA2] (17th Century)
Parish of Northfield Notes on Church Wardens accounts by F. S. Pearson
[DRO 14/194]
Information on early migrants in 17th Century Birmingham]
[Birmingham Trade Directories Collection]
(Note: this starts from 1767 onwards: see early entries for Jewish Names)
[MS 46 [Gooch] /219]
Lease for Ladywell Baths, dated 1823, includes an inventory which shows that there was a separate ‘Jews’ bath’ there.
[Archives: IIR/ 414255]
"Lord Mayor’s European Famine Fund 1919-1921".
Note: Based in Birmingham, this organisation sought to gain “public sympathy in regard to the distress prevailing in Europe, to collect funds, and to invite gifts of clothing, invalids foods and hospital necessities”. The fund had units working in Hungary, Poland, Serbia, etc.
[MS 3147]The Boulton and Watt Collection
Note: Contains a vast array of references to migration and work in Birmingham starting around late 18th century. Some interesting sources include:
[MS3782/12/76/15]
Letter concerning James Watt’s movement from Scotland to Birmingham, in order to join Matthew Boulton In connection, see also: Journal of James Watt [MS 3219/4/136]
Lionel Rose “Rogues and vagabonds: vagrant underworld in Britain, 1815-1985” [A326.5](Published text with materials connected to Birmingham)
[LF 07.2]
Johnson’s Highwaymen (1742) published by Thomas Aris of Birmingham. A supplementary publication to the Aris’s Gazette newspaper, giving famous stories of pirates and highwaymen
[MS1515]
Cyril Lander collection of family Papers. (Good source for Jewish history and migration issues related to Birmingham)
[Archives IIR 42]
Census for Lichfield area, dated 1830's. Hold information on the background of local inhabitants.