Manchester's Black Pre-History 1750-1926

Well I knew it would be a good talk.  After all Bill Williams is a superb historian who speaks from a depth of knowledge and has that relaxed skill of presentation that makes you think you are having a conversation with him.

Opposite; the Jubilee Singers in 1873 who regualry performed in Manchester and can be heard on a 1915 recording

In just over an hour he took us through his latest research on Manchester’s Black Pre-History from 1750 to 1926.  I rather think it was one of the highlights of this year’s History Group meetings and gently nudges us away from local history into the bigger world.

Now I was well aware of the contribution the men and women of Africa and the West Indies made in two world wars and of the Windrush generation but had not really been aware of the presence of a black community before 1900.

From the 18th century onwards Bill pointed to the small group who lived in Manchester, campaigned for Britain’s active support for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War and settled in the Ordsall and Greengate areas of Salford at the beginning of the last century.

And like these things are, members came along with their own memories as well as photographs.  All of which reinforced that simple truth that the study of history should never just be left to the professional.

So a good day.

Opposite; Greengate, Salford

Pictures; from the collection of Bill Williams, and photograph of Bill by Andrew Simpson