Donald Kenrick Collection (Papers of the National Gypsy Council)
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.See the Access and usage section below for further details.
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Donald Kenrick Collection (Papers of the National Gypsy Council)
Classmark: MS 2077
Original reference: BC MS Rom 2/4
Date(s): c.1963- c.1971
Size and medium: 3 boxes; print items; papers
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/505149
Collection group(s): Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
Description
Papers (mainly relating to the establishment and work of the Gypsy Council) and print items referencing Gypsies, Travellers and Roma as deposited by Donald Kenrick.
Biography or history
Donald Kenrick (1929-2015) was a British linguist, educator, researcher and author who wrote about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma. Fluent in many languages including Romany (he was reputed to be able to translate over 60 languages) he became involved in the work of many Gypsy, Traveller and Roma related organisations in the UK during the 1960/70s (Gypsy Lore Society, Gypsy Council and later the Romani Institute of which he was director). His interpretation skills were invaluable in his work with these communities (gathering testimony of the Holocaust and Nazi period from European Roma; co-authoring a programme to learn Romany and interpreting at the 1st World Romani Congress). He published various works including a book he co-authored with Gratton Puxon (Secretary of the Gypsy Council) “The destiny of Europe’s Gypsies,” [later re-published as “Gypsies under the Swastka.”]
Provenance
Donald Kenrick was known to have deposited a large library of print material [shelf mark BC Rom/Kenrick]. However during a cataloguing project (2017) it became clear from accession records [see B ref in alternate references] that he also deposited papers relating to the (National) Gypsy Council that had been catalogued as part of Romany (2) Collection. The decision was taken to re-catalogue these items and the print material as a separate collection to reflect its unique source and related material [print items]. Original references can be viewed in the alternate ref field. Catalogue created as part of the 'Collectors and Activist Project' with support of the National Cataloguing Grant (2016/17).
System of arrangement
In 2017 these papers were found to have been arranged in a number of files (it is not clear if they reflect original order). The archivist created the series and sub-series categories and arranged the files based on their content.
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.
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.
Some parts of this collection are in copyright. Photocopies or digital images of the material in copyright can be supplied for private study purposes only. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder’s permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.