Romany Collection (1)
Contains records with digital mediaDetails
Type of record: Archive
Title: Romany Collection (1)
Classmark: BC MS ROM 1
Original reference: Romany Manuscripts donated 1950
Date(s): c.1551 - 1971
Size and medium: 30 boxes; 7 volumes; papers; Correspondence; artwork; photographs; newspaper cuttings
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/504844
Collection group(s): Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
Description
Items collected by Dorothy Una Ratcliffe (DUR) as part of her "Gypsy Library/Romany Collection."
Includes a wide range of manuscripts, letters, typescripts, press cuttings, photographs, music, objects, paintings and drawings which feature Gypsies and Travellers in the UK, Europe (Roma) and worldwide. Many have associations with the Gypsy Lore Society (either referencing its members or subjects that they were concerned with/published about in their Journal).
This part of the collection also includes records relating to the purchase of items in the collection and its cataloguing whilst in the custody of DUR and after transfer to the University of Leeds (with the publication of the "Leeds University Romany Catalogue" in 1962).
Countries referenced include but not limited to; UK,(particularly Yorkshire and Cumbria) Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Norway, USA and Bosnia.
Biography or history
Dorothy Una Ratcliffe (DUR), was the niece-in law to Lord Brotherton (via her first marriage to Charles Ratcliffe). Well known for being a poet and dramatist, she also had a lifelong interest in the culture and history of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK and abroad, (possibly informed by the suggestion that she had Romany ancestry) and actively collected anything that was "romany in nature."
She was both a member of, advocate and benefactor to the Gypsy Lore Society and a contributor to its journal, (the Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society). This put her in contact with many of the prominent committee members who are referenced in the collection. Her friendship with Dora E. Yates, (Secretary of the Gypsy Lore Society and later to become Honorary Consultant to the Romany Collection) is also evidenced.
She re-married twice; becoming Mrs Mc Grigor Phillips and Mrs Phillips following her marriages to Noel Mc Grigor Phillips in 1932 (until his death in 1943) and later to photographer Alfred Charles Vowles (who became Alfred C.Phillips). Both feature in the collection, (contributing photographs and correspondence/manuscripts). Despite her name changes she was interchangeably still referred to as Dorothy Una Ratcliffe or DUR.
Provenance
Many of the descriptions are taken from those listed in the published (1962) catalogue.
System of arrangement
In the main this part of the Collection has been arranged into series as per/similar to those categories listed in the 1962 catalogue. Within each category items are arranged as per original order (generally A-Z by author/creator). Originally each item was also given a numeric reference but this has now been superseded, with the original reference listed under ‘alternative reference’ field.
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.
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.
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.
On our website
Collection guide: Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
The Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections consist of separate collections that reference a variety of both ethnic (eg Romany/Irish Traveller) and non-ethnic (eg New Traveller) communities with a nomadic culture, history or lifestyle.