Migration, Identity and History

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

Image for the event exploring Migration, Identity and History
Image includes some of the speakers at the event (upper section), and of some of the individuals who have migrated to the North West (lower section – photo credits at end of this article*)

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?

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Migration Stories Exhibition

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.

PREVIEW AND LAUNCH: 4pm – 7pm, Wednesday 2nd October 2024, with speakers from the project and light refreshments.

Exhibition on show Thursday 3rd October to Friday 8th November 2024
at Manchester Histories Hub, lower ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD

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.

Image for the Migration Stories Exhibition

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.

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Migration Stories refocuses North West history

An Invitation to Get Involved!

Would you like to research the story of someone who migrated any time from ancient history to WWII in North West England? The Migration Stories project will provide training, good support and expenses, it’ll get started in early May 2022 and grow gently over a few months.

Image header for the Greater Manchester section of Migration Stories North West

The project’s called Migration Stories North West https://migrationstoriesnw.uk , it’s headed by Global Link https://globallink.org.uk/ based in Lancaster, and is a partnership with four other organisations across the North West out of which Crossing Footprints is the one covering the wider Manchester region.

This is a 3 year project unearthing histories of migration in the North West from ancient times to the present day, which will re-frame migration as something that has been fundamental to the UK for a very long time. In this first year Crossing Footprints will be recruiting 8-15 voluntary community researchers to each explore local archives to find individual stories, at least one per volunteer, possibly more if time allows and there’s enough material. Manchester-based author Mickela Sonola will initially be working alongside our director Kooj Chuhan to run this project, and we are honoured to have local historian Washington Alcott as a community research associate for Migration Stories North West.

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