T.W. Thompson Collection (Gypsy and Traveller related tales and research material)
Please note
The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.
See the Access and usage section below for further details.
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: T.W. Thompson Collection (Gypsy and Traveller related tales and research material)
Classmark: MS 2072
Original reference: BC MS Rom 2/1/2
Creator(s): Thompson, Thomas William()
Date(s): c.1890 -1964
Language: English
Size and medium: 2 boxes; 38 notebooks; papers
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/505067
Collection group(s): Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
Description
Manuscript and research notes made by T. W Thompson of tales recounted by Gypsies and Travellers and information gathered during these encounters, (notes on language, customs, familial connections, biographical and genealogical details).
Mainly referencing English Gypsy Traveller families of Gray, Smith, Lee, Lock, Young and Boswell. Also includes but is not limited to some references to Lovell, Heron and Woods families.
Split into two notebook series.
Items individually listed.
Biography or history
T.W. [Thomas William] Thompson (1888-1968) was a leading collector of Gypsy and Traveller folklore particularly in the North of England and Midlands from 1915. He first became interested in Gypsy lore, language and genealogy during his undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. He began collecting tales when he became a schoolmaster at Repton. In the early twentieth century he carefully recorded stories in his notebooks noting consistencies and variations in similar tales from multiple sources. He later presented the notebooks to Katharine Briggs who published summaries of them in the 'Dictionary of British Folk-Tales'. Thompson collected over 140 tales in total, and it is acknowledged as the largest body of Gypsy Traveller folk-tales collected in England single-handed. He also researched and compiled genealogies of contributors and other Gypsy Traveller families with particular interest in those who featured in the works of George Borrow.
Thompson was also honorary secretary of the Gypsy Lore Society 1922-1932 and contributed many articles to the Journal and was a member of the editorial board.
Provenance
This was moved out of Rom 2 to become a standalone Collection (but remain part of the Gypsy Traveller and Roma Collections).
It is possible that these were all donated as part of the original 'Romany Collection' [both T.W Thompson and Dorothy Una Ratcliffe were members of the Gypsy Lore Society]; however some of the notebooks were enclosed with an envelope addressed to S[Stuart] J. Sanderson, [Director of the Institute of Dialect and Folk life studies at the University of Leeds]. It may be that one or both of these connections resulted in their deposit.
Many of the notebooks suggest that the original accounts were made on loose notes and later transcribed into the notebooks, (with some transcriptions perhaps as late as the 1960's).
New catalogue created as part of the, "Collectors & Activist" Project, (with support from the National Cataloguing Grants Programme 2016/17).
There was an accompanying typescript handlist that was checked in 1999. [Not clear whether this came from the depositor or was created by the library after deposit]. This has been used to inform most of the descriptions.
System of arrangement
The archivist has separated these into two logical series, (2016/17).
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
Some parts of this collection have not been listed in detail and the content may be protected under the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation. Please consult the relevant part of the catalogue for specific details. Where a detailed record does not exist, please contact Special Collections. Upon receipt of your request, a member of the team will discuss your requirements with you and review relevant material accordingly
The catalogue titles or descriptions in this collection may contain terminology and phrases that would now be considered unacceptable. Where present these original terms continue to be included to preserve historical accuracy and provide social and historical context.
View the Cultural Collections sensitivity policy
Notes on terminology and spellings
Please note that there may be differences in the terms used to describe the particular communities represented in this collection, many of which have changed over time and may continue to change.
At the time this catalogue was created there are many definitions that identify different cultural and ethnic groups with their varied histories, traditions and associations with a travelling life.
These can include but are not limited to those that have been recognised in UK law as ethnic groups; English and Welsh (Romany) Gypsies, Irish and Scottish Travellers; and non-ethnic groups that consider themselves distinct even if these have not been recognised in UK law, e.g. New Travellers, Showmen and Bargees. Outside of the UK 'Gypsy' may also be considered offensive and ‘Roma’ is often used instead as the universally preferred term although this term also represents a wide range of distinct groups, (e.g. Sinti, Manouche).
It is our intention to respectfully and (where possible) accurately refer to these different communities in the catalogue. For this reason we ask you to note the following with regards to the descriptions in this catalogue that have been based on these current definitions:
1) As many of these definitions have only come into being since the collection was created/1st catalogued, please be aware that original descriptions may not accurately reflect the group to which it refers, (e.g. the word 'Gypsy,' may have been used to describe those now recognised as Irish Travellers/Roma). Therefore it is worth searching under various terms, e.g. 'Romany' and 'Traveller,' to broaden the scope of search results as well as using the alternative historical spellings, 'Gipsy,' 'Gipsie,' or ‘Romani.’
2) Where no original description exists and it is not possible to properly identify a distinct group they will be described as "Gypsy Traveller" (within UK setting), "Roma" for those living/recently originating outside the UK or "Gypsy, Traveller, Roma " for origin/locations unknown. References to any non - ethnic groups will similarly be capitalised to respectfully acknowledge all groups.
Users are advised that the content in this collection may include accounts of discrimination and the expression of opinions and/or terminology that would now be considered unacceptable.
Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.