Robert M.Dawson Collection
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: Robert M.Dawson Collection
Classmark: MS 2074
Original reference: BC MS Rom 2/3
Creator(s): Dawson, Robert (1944-)()
Date(s): c.1947-1970
Size and medium: 14 boxes; 1 volume
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/626883
Collection group(s): Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
Description
Press cuttings and card indexes relating to Gypsies and Travellers.
Collected by Robert Dawson.
Biography or history
Robert [Bob] M. Dawson was a non-Gypsy/Traveller who developed a keen interest in Gypsies and Travellers during his youth in Bingley, (Yorkshire). He became the youngest member of the Gypsy Lore Society when he joined and wrote articles for its journal. He went on to study at Bradford Technical College and later became a journalist reporting for local press (Craven Herald and the Telegraph & Argus - where he became a specialist crime reporter). He then went onto re-train to become a teacher and then head teacher before finally retiring.
Throughout his working life and retirement he has been and continues to be a writer and activist championning the heritage and campaigns of Gypsy and Traveller communities; through his involvement with the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group, writing educational resources for children (he was awarded a lifetime achievement by the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups) and as ongoing president of the Romany and Traveller Family History Society (2017).
Provenance
These items were deposited as a group ( accessions ref B14986R - B15062R) in 1973 by Robert M. Dawson , They were originally catalogued as separate items as part of the Rom[any] 2 Collection. In 2017 these items were moved out of Rom[any] 2 to become a standalone Collection, but remain part of the Gypsy Traveller and Roma Collections Group. Original references and accession refs [B numbers] are recorded in the 'alternative reference field.'
Catalogue created as part of the "Collectors & Activist" Project, (with support from the National Cataloguing Grants Programme 2016/17).
Access and usage
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.