To what extent through history has British identity been influenced by migration?
An event with speakers, short film screening and discussion
5.30pm – 7pm, Weds 16th October
at Manchester Histories Hub, lower ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD
Speakers from the Migration Stories North West project will explore the nature of migrant identity throughout British history and the intersections between the history of migration and issues at the forefront of Black history. There will be an opportunity for open discussion about various perspectives, including questions such as:
– Why are stories of individuals so important for retelling and understanding history?
– What do we gain by understanding our history through the lens of migration?
– How did colonialism affect migration, and what does it mean for Black history?
– Are the migratory roots of historical figures often overlooked or kept hidden?
– What do the stories from the project tell us about migration and human rights?
Contributing speakers for Migration, Identity and History
Kooj Chuhan of Crossing Footprints will be chairing the Migration, Identity and History event, and there will be a number of contributing speakers including:
Louise Wong is a community development worker at Wai Yin Society and has been serving the Chinese community for decades. She presents the “Dragons Voice” program on Radio AllFM for the Chinese community. Louise co-produced “Crossing the Borders” Chinese oral history project archived at Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Resource Centre which received the Alan Ball Award. She was one of the volunteer researchers for the Migration Stories North West project, researching and producing the story of Jou Lim along with fellow researcher Yichao Shi.
Washington Alcott is a local researcher and teacher specialising in African and Caribbean perspectives. His work includes economic and social history, migration, environment, cultural identities, Pan Africanism and has been an active member of many progressive community and activist groups for decades. He recently contributed to the Guardian’s ‘Cotton Capital’ series. Washington has been following the Migration Stories North West project in Greater Manchester since it began.
Alison Fisher has worked as a teacher of English as an Additional Language in Bury since 1995. Recently she has worked for Fair Futures developing projects both in schools and in their building in the centre of Bury. Fair Futures are a Community Interest Company working with children, young people and families to promote successful learning and reduce barriers to education. Alison co-delivered workshops at The Derby High School for the Migration Stories North West project in Manchester.
Migration, Identity and History is an event by Crossing Footprints presented within the context of Black History Month, in partnership with Manchester Histories. A part of the Migration Stories Exhibition currently on show at Manchester Central Library.
Exhibition: Migration Stories North West
A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day – the Migration Stories North West Exhibition.
Exhibition on show Thursday 3rd October to Friday 8th November 2024 – more information at https://crossingfootprints.com/migration-stories-exhibition/
Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and leaving the North West from and to other parts of the British Isles and other parts of the world. Find out how their journeys were driven by conflict, colonialism and trade, as well as in search of work, educational opportunities or a better life.
This ‘pop-up’ exhibition includes an interactive screen through which to browse the stories, and is touring across the North West of England. At this showing in Manchester Central Library there will also be a display by pupils and staff from The Derby High School in Bury about the stories which they researched and produced for the Greater Manchester section of the project.
The Migration Stories Exhibition’s showing in Manchester is presented by Crossing Footprints in partnership with Manchester Histories. Special thanks for support from Manchester Central Library, from our Manchester team of volunteer researchers, and from Fair Futures CIC who delivered the school workshops in Bury.
More about the project at https://crossingfootprints.com/migration-stories/
Or browse the project’s own dedicated website at www.migrationstoriesnw.uk
Preview / Launch for the Migration Stories Exhibition
4pm to 7pm, Weds 2nd October.
In addition to the Migration, Identity and History event, join us for an informal opportunity to hear about the Migration Stories North West project and to chat with people who were involved in the research. People from Crossing Footprints, Global Link and Fair Futures, who were involved in developing, organising and delivering the project, will also be on hand to discuss any aspects of the work and the contexts in which it was produced. Drop in any time between 4pm and 7pm, there will be a brief introduction to the project at 4.45pm and again at 6pm. Light refreshments will be provided, more information at https://crossingfootprints.com/migration-stories-exhibition/.
About the project
The Migration Stories North West project is a partnership of five organisations across the North West who have worked over a period of three years with local adults and young people, including those with experience of migration or seeking refuge. Forming into five teams of volunteers and five school groups, they have researched and documented over 100 individual histories of migration using archival, online and oral history sources. They are now available to explore on an interactive online map at https://www.migrationstoriesnw.uk/stories/ along with background information, educational resources and introductory films about the project. More information at https://crossingfootprints.com/migration-stories/ .
The organisations are Global Link based in Lancaster, Crossing Footprints covering the Greater Manchester region, Liverpool World Centre, Cumbria Development Education Centre and Cheshire Global Learning. The project is supported by historians at Lancaster University and local heritage organisations, and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
*About the four photos in the header image at the top of this page:
Credits for the four photos in the lower section of the above header image, presenting four stories from the Greater Manchester volunteer research team led by Crossing Footprints, from left to right:
1. Photo widely believed to be of James Johnson, taken by William Thorpe c 1868-1870 (reproduced with the kind permission of the Oldham Photographic Society. web: oldhamphotographic.co.uk),
2. Roman Altar in honour of Aelius Victor (copyright the Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester),
3. Portrait engraving of Enriqueta Rylands from a photograph by R.K. Durrant and Son of Torquay (copyright of the University of Manchester),
4. Jou Lim (courtesy of Jou Lim’s family).
