Tracing the story of the people of Strangeways and Redbank ...........the Making of Manchester Jewry

Now after a space of nearly forty years I am rereading The Making of Manchester Jewry, 1740-1875 by Bill Williams.

It came out in 1976 and it will have been around then that I read it.

That said it would be almost another decade before I began walking Strangeways and Redbank  tracing the places Mr Williams refers to and recording what was still left.

It is a fascinating book covering everything from the first Jewish settlements in the city to the later ones, is rich in detail and supported by extensive footnotes and bibliography.

Back in the 1970s I don’t think I really did it justice which makes this second reading all the more instructive.
Since then I have come to know Mr Williams and have enjoyed his lectures, new books and just talking to him about a range of topics.

Picture; cover from the book

*The Making of Manchester Jewry, 1740-1875 by Bill Williams, 1976

Walking through the history of Manchester’s Jewish Community with Bill Williams, the pictures

Now I knew the walk and talk through Manchester’s old Jewish Community, would be good, and according to Bernard it was.

Sadly I missed it but Bernard posted the pictures on face book and left a commentary of the day.
 And here it is.

"Bill starts the walk outside Chethams and on the spot at 144 Long Millgate where stood the Nathan Brother's house, one of the first places where the itinerant Jewish pedlars first settled in Manchester

Bill talks to the group at the bottom of CheethaM Hill Road, opposite what was the Red Bank district whose poverty was described by Engels in The Condition of the Working Class in England, and in which many of the Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe settled 

Bill is appalled that no recognition is given to this historically important community and the district has now been renamed the "Green Quarter" to help sell the new blocks of flats — with 

Bill talks to the group opposite what was the Redbank district where many of the first Jewish immigrants from Easter Europe settled

The new synagogue, built almost next door to the Great Synagogue now demolished

Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the walk and talk -many thanks, Bill"

Pictures and words courtesy of Bernard Leech

Today that walk through the history of Manchester’s Jewish Community with Bill Williams on August 29

Jewish tailor's shop, circa 1900

Now this should be one not to miss.  

I have heard Bill Williams talk, read his books and been on one of his guided tours so I know it will be good.

It has been arranged by Chorlton History Group and Bernard our convenor writes

"At the last talk by Bill Williams on the early history of the Jewish community in Manchester we mentioned the possibility of a Jewish History walk in Manchester. 

Well this walk, led by Bill Williams is going to happen today  on Thursday 29th August from 2pm to 4.30pm and the weather is currently 
looking good for it. The plan is as follows:

1. Assemble for 2pm outside the gates of Chetham's School of Music in Long 
Millgate, central Manchester,  M3 1SB 
(this is very close to the site of one of the first Jewish settlements in Manchester). The easiest way to get there is via the metro to Victoria.

2. The route of the walk will be via Corporation St and then up Cheetham Hill Road, stopping at various places of interest on Cheetham Hill Road or just off it. Bill will give a commentary at these points. The distance is about 1 mile.

3. Our destination will be the Jewish Museum at 190 Cheetham Hill Road, M8 8LW. This will be kept open for us until 5pm. There is no charge for the walk but entry to the museum costs £3.95 (£2.95 concessions), but this gives you free entry pass until the end of 2013 www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

5. Bernard's mobile number is 07960 888879 if there are any problems on the day

Bill Williams

For those coming by car, I suggest parking near the Jewish museum in advance, getting the 135 bus back to Victoria and then picking up their car 
later

The aim is to keep this group to around a dozen or so people so it will be first come first served by contacting me to say you would like to go on the 
walk"

So not one to miss then.


Picture; from the collection of the Manchester Jewish Museum, and photograph of Bill by Andrew Simpson

Bill Williams on "The origins of Jewish Manchester” today at Chorlton History Group

Bill Williams

Bill Williams will be talking to the Chorlton History Group on "The origins of Jewish Manchester.”*

I first met Bill on a guided tour of the Strangeways and Redbank area of Manchester.

It was here that many Jewish families settled in the last quarter of the 19th century.

They were fleeing from Czarist persecution and found a home in the narrow streets and small terraced houses of this part of the city. I then went on to read his book The Making of Manchester Jewry and recently Jewish Manchester: An Illustrated History.*

A Jewish tailoring workshop circa 1910

He was a founder member of the Jewish Museum which I joined I sometime in the 1980s.

The group meets regularly at Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South.

For further information about future talks and Chorlton History Group contact Bernard Leach, btleach@gmail.com, or ring Chorlton Good Neighbours on 881 2925

More details at http://wp.me/p2KlLI-oH

Picture; from the collection of the Manchester Jewish Museum, and photograph of Bill by Andrew Simpson


*The Making of Manchester Jewry, Manchester University Press 1976, Jewish Manchester: An Illustrated History, DB Publishing, 2008

Bill Williams on "The origins of Jewish Manchester” tomorrow on June 6th

Jewish tailoring workshop, circa 1910

Tomorrow Bill Williams will be talking to the Chorlton History Group on "The origins of Jewish Manchester.”*

The group meets regularly at Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South.

"Bill was one of the founders of the Manchester Jewish Museum based in an old synagogue in Cheetham Hill and has been instrumental in documenting and curating the history of the Jewish community in Manchester and has written several books on the topic

This talk will focus on the early years of the Jewish community in Manchester, with the aim of holding a second talk some time later on which will focus on developments in the late 19th and early 20th Century.

And one for the future, ...... the History Group will be holding a history walk around  Jewish Manchester, led by Bill, starting near Victoria Station, walking down Cheetham Hill Road and ending at the Jewish Museum. 

The Manchester Jewish Museum

A date for this walk will be decided at the June 6th meeting and people coming to that talk will have a first opportunity to put their names down for this walk, which we will aim to keep to a small number

As usual the talk will be held at Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South, Chorlton, M21 0XJ

For further information about future talks and Chorlton History Group contact Bernard Leach, btleach@gmail.com, or ring Chorlton Good Neighbours on 881 2925"

More details at http://wp.me/p2KlLI-oH

Picture; Jewish tailoring workshop in Manchester circa 1910 courtesy of Bill Williams, the Manchester Jewish Museum, 

Something to do this evening in Manchester

At the Jewish Museum on Cheetham Hill Road this evening.

Acclaimed Manchester historian, Bill Williams, will be launching his latest book, 'Jews and other foreigners, Manchester and the rescue of the victims of European fascism, 1933-40' at the Museum tonight.

Short-listed for the 2012 Portico Prize for Non-Fiction, the book explores the response of the Manchester community to those threatened by the rise of Fascism in Europe in the 1930s.

Drawing on a wide range of documentary and oral sources, Williams takes a close look at the response of particular sections of Manchester society, from Jewish communal organisations and the Zionist movement to the Christian churches, pacifist organisations and private charities.

Mr Williams will be talking about the book and signing copies at the Museum.

Sun 7 April, 2pm

Normal admission charges

Picture; courtesy of the Jewish Musuem

At the Manchester Jewish Museum in April

It’s all happening at the Jewish Museum* in April.

Acclaimed Manchester historian, Bill Williams, will be launching his latest book, 'Jews and other foreigners, Manchester and the rescue of the victims of European fascism, 1933-40' at the Museum on Sunday 7th April.

Short-listed for the 2012 Portico Prize for Non-Fiction, the book explores the response of the Manchester community to those threatened by the rise of Fascism in Europe in the 1930s.

Drawing on a wide range of documentary and oral sources, Williams takes a close look at the response of particular sections of Manchester society, from Jewish communal organisations and the Zionist movement to the Christian churches, pacifist organisations and private charities.

Williams will be talking about the book and signing copies at the Museum.

Sun 7 April, 2pm
Normal admission charges

WORKSHOP: Family History
Museum 'Best Friends' and 'Patrons' are invited to this family history workshop. Archivists from Manchester Libraries will be offering guidance and advice on how to research your family history.

Sun 28 April, 10am
Booking is required - call 0161 834 9879 or email here
Exclusively for MJM 'Best Friends' & 'Patrons'

TOURS: History Gallery 
The Museum will be launching its new gallery tours to the public on Wednesday 10th April. Visitors will be taken back in time to discover what Jewish Manchester was like over 100 years ago. MJM volunteers will use the Museum's displays, exhibits and props (including wigs and carbolic soap!) to tell the stories of five Jewish individuals who actually lived in Manchester in 1912.

Freshly made traditional kosher cakes will be served to mark the launch of these new tours!

Weds 10 April, 2pm
FREE but booking is required: 0161 834 9879 or by email here

WALK: Historic Jewish Quarter
Discover Manchester's Jewish past on a guided walk around Cheetham Hill.

Our guide will captivate you with tales and anecdotes, bringing to life Manchester's fascinating Jewish past.

Sun 28 April, 1pm (lasts approx. 2 hours)
Tickets: £7 (£5 concessions)

TOURS: History Gallery 
The Museum will be launching its new gallery tours to the public on Wednesday 10th April. Visitors will be taken back in time to discover what Jewish Manchester was like over 100 years ago. MJM volunteers will use the Museum's displays, exhibits and props (including wigs and carbolic soap!) to tell the stories of five Jewish individuals who actually lived in Manchester in 1912.

Freshly made traditional kosher cakes will be served to mark the launch of these new tours!


Pictures; courtesy if the Jewish Museum,

*http://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/

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