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racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Rachel Barrett
@racheljbarrett.bsky.social
200 followers 190 following 17 posts
Engagement and Learning at The London Archives - MA in Sasanian archaeology - Big fan of late 18th to early 20th century Irish history - Researching signal stations on Ireland’s coast, and the removal of Irish paupers from London ☘️
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racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Rachel Barrett @racheljbarrett.bsky.social · Mar 6
Many Irish in London during the Great Famine were deported to Ireland. These are (pre-Famine) removal receipts of the Connors from Cork who had left Ireland 5 years before but didn't meet the criteria to be deemed 'settled' in England. They faced starvation and disease on their return.
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
thelondonarchives.bsky.social
🎉 It's the 100th anniversary of Keats House opening to the public 🎉
✒️ Down in Clerkenwell we're celebrating with a talk on Keats' Life in London (and if you hop on the Northern Line at Angel you can go visit Keats House in Hampstead after!).
🗓️ 28 August 12:30pm
Keats' Life in London (In-person Talk)
An illustrated talk about the life of the poet John Keats.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 7:30 AM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Got invited to speak about #workhouses for the St Marylebone Festival. I'm supplying the archival research and Marylebone are supplying the gruel, made from a recipe in @thelondonarchives.bsky.social collections - at least you won't need a dinner reservation.

stmarylebone.org/product/lect...
Illustration of a workhouse casual ward. A blue banner with white writing cuts across it saying 'Labour Stories - The St Marylebone Workhouse'. Below this it says 'Heritage' and 'St Marylebone Festival'. 2 July 2025, 18:30 - 19:30 Lecture Series: Labour Stories - The St Marylebone Workhouse £5.00
June 20, 2025 at 4:46 PM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Marconi conducted many #telegraphy experiments in Ireland. These are the ruins of Brow Head signal station. Telegraphy (in its different forms) was conducted here from 1804 - 1921. Marconi’s station opened here in 1901, successfully sending wireless signals to Poldhu 225 miles away. #IrishHistory
June 3, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
cathrynpearce.bsky.social
Transcription work tonight. Had two different letters from Sea Fencible commanders in 1798, one from Edinburgh and one from Folkestone, reporting that either locals or naval signal officers assisted French prisoners to escape to France. I need to follow these up #NavalHistory
Screen grab of one of the affidavits from Folkestone say that: That he William Hall had some months since (with the assistance of other persons) procured a French prisoner by the name of [blank] Edlins to escape to France; and He the said Wm Hall further declared to this deponent, that he Wm Hall caused the said prisoner to be secreted in a certain House, near the signal Post, and in the mean time procured the said prisoner a Boat, and provisions, in order to effectuate such his Escape.
May 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
An unusual Irish pauper removal doc. Hannah Macknamara, 27, refused to be sworn to her examination by Middx JPs. William Diggens was instead examined to determine Hannah’s ‘removability’. He told them she was from Cork having left 2 years before. She was deported 24th July 1847. #LondonIrishHistory
Removal order from the Middlesex Sessions. The text states: The examination of William Livingston Diggens of Chelsea Workhouse as to the removeability of Hannah Macknamara aged 27 years who refuses to be sworn in her examination - taken on Oath before us, two of Her Majesty’s Justices of the Peace acting in and for the County of Middlesex, this twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven, who on oath saith that according to the best of his knowledge and belief the said Hannah Macknamara was born in that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland which she left about two years ago, and hath no settlement in that part of the United Kingdom called England, and hath actually become and is now chargeable to the Parish of Saint Luke, Chelsea - in the said County of Middlesex and that she hath resided in the County of Cork and is liable to be removed there to. Signature of William Diggens. Underneath that is text reading “Removed the within Named Hannah Macknamara for Ireland this 24 Day of July 1847. By me H. Nelson” Underneath this reads ‘Sworn the day and year first above-written, before us” followed by the signatures of the two Justices of the Peace.
May 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
katemond.bsky.social
It's absolutely not common sense. It's not only historically illiterate, it also ignores the actual status of languages in the parts of the UK that aren't England.
tweet from Kier Starker: 'If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English. That’s common sense. So we’re raising English language requirements across every main immigration route.'
May 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Yesterday I gave a talk on Irish pauper removals from London in the 1830s and 40s - the first one I’ve ever done. You can watch it here - m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSn-...

Then, while you’re at it, sign up to see the original pauper removal documents Fri 16 May ☘️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/archives-i....
Archives in Focus: Famine and the Removal of Irish Paupers from London
A chance to see original archival material relating to Poor Laws, settlement, and the Irish in London.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
n16breda.bsky.social
A big thank you & GRMA to @thelondonarchives.bsky.social @racheljbarrett.bsky.social for a fantastic talk today on the Removal of Irish Paupers from London during the nineteenth century 👏
Middlesex Sessions records now on my to do list for #IrishLondonHistory research ☘️
Title slide of talk "Famine and the Removal of Irish Paupers from London"
May 8, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
thelondonarchives.bsky.social
📣#IrishHistory talk alert!
☘️ Thur 8 May @ 12:30pm
Famine and the Removal of Irish Paupers from London (In person and Online)

Learn about the Irish in London who were sent back to Ireland during the Great Hunger to face an uncertain fate. #archives #speirgorm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/famine-and....
Famine and the Removal of Irish Paupers from London (In-person)
This talk will discuss how and why Irish paupers were removed from London.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 26, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
thelondonarchives.bsky.social
Our #PopularItem is C18th-19th Sun Fire Office policy registers! Fire was a real threat to property so many took out insurance against it. They weren't just insuring buildings either, here's a 1793 policy for Gilbert Pidcock who has insured a rhino. Yes, you read that correctly... 🦏 📖 #archives30
Photo of policy number 614342 from a Sun Fire Office policy register. The date of the policy, 23 April 1793, is at the top. The policy reads 'Gilbert Pidcock at the Exhibition Room over Exeter Change in the Strand. On a Rhinoceros & Carriage for the same travelling about the country for exhibition not exceeding two hundred pounds'.
April 24, 2025 at 8:13 AM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Come join me @thelondonarchives.bsky.social on Mon 28th April for this free workshop with @socialbodiesuob.bsky.social.

We’ve got some incredible letters in our collections and this is a fantastic chance to explore them whilst contributing to a research project. #archives #LondonHistory
thelondonarchives.bsky.social The London Archives @thelondonarchives.bsky.social · Apr 21
Get up close to 18th & 19th century letters in our collections at a free workshop on Mon 28 April. You'll get to transcribe letters and learn palaeography tips whilst contributing to a research project on historical letters @socialbodiesuob.bsky.social
'A Time for Letters' - Archive Workshop MORNING SESSION
Get up close with 18th and 19th-century letters from TLA's collections, explore their uses as historical sources and work on transcriptions.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
ucdarchives.bsky.social
Easter Sunday 1916, 1.20pm

Original holograph countermanding order from Eoin MacNeill to Éamon de Valera.
April 20, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
thelondonarchives.bsky.social
Hello! We're The London Archives, a free public archive focusing on the history of London from 1067. We look after over 100km of manuscripts, books, drawings, engravings, photos and films spanning 1000 years of London's history!
Give us a follow.

#archives #history #LondonHistory
A section of the Civitas Londinum map showing the City of London at the top, the River Thames in the middle, and bull baiting and bear baiting rings at the bottom.
April 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
rhodri.biz
For any tourists visiting these shores this summer, I recommend this detailed map of Britain, Ireland and the Orkneys, from “Topography Of Ireland” by Gerald Of Wales (1187)
April 14, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
ainedoran.bsky.social
🚨Are you working on Irish Migration or Demography research?🚨

We're hosting a virtual @cephie.bsky.social workshop on May 23rd

Full details of the CfP is below. Work from early career researchers is particularly welcome!

Please share with anyone who may be interested
April 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
witchesetc.bsky.social
I’m giving a talk on witch trials in history at London Archives - link here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/witchcraft...
Witchcraft - A History in Thirteen Trials
Join us at The London Archives as Professor Marion Gibson talks us through her book exploring the history of witchcraft.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 1, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
mikebaldwinharp.bsky.social
My new book, Béara: Rescued Folklore - 4th in the Rescued Folklore series - is available from 31 March 2025. More here: www.mike-baldwin.net/folklore
March 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
liber-ray.bsky.social
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a fantastic medieval map of Ireland from a 15th-century navigational chart, now @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social MS. Ashmole 1352, f. 3r ☘️🎉
March 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
Many Irish in London during the Great Famine were deported to Ireland. These are (pre-Famine) removal receipts of the Connors from Cork who had left Ireland 5 years before but didn't meet the criteria to be deemed 'settled' in England. They faced starvation and disease on their return.
March 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
charlhopkins.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/archives-o...

An event I’m hosting - do come along!
Archives on Show: In Style - Art Nouveau to Art Deco
Our Archives on Show events are a chance for you to explore a wide range of materials from our collections by theme.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 28, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
charlhopkins.bsky.social
New exhibition coming on 24 February…counting down! ‘London in the Second World War’ at The London Archives.

www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
London in the Second World War
In this exhibition at The London Archives explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War and the effect it had on the city they knew.
www.thelondonarchives.org
February 20, 2025 at 9:11 AM
racheljbarrett.bsky.social
For generations of readers brought up on the #poetry of 1914-1918, it may come as a surprise to discover that the Second World War produced any poetry at all.
Want to know why? Head to #TheLondonArchives for a talk by @timkendall70.bsky.social to find out! #WW2

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-event...
Book Event - Poetry of the Second World War
Join us as Professor Tim Kendall talks about the Poetry of the Second World War.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
srsrensoc.bsky.social
*EXCITING TALK CLAXON*

Curious about #EarlyModern London? About #HistKnowledge? And knowledge-in-practice? You can't be in better hands than with @rhiggitt.bsky.social & @jasminekt.bsky.social!

19 February, 5:30, at the London Archives

All info: www.rensoc.org.uk/event/metrop...
Metropolitan Science: London Sites and Cultures of Knowledge and Practice, c. 1600-1800 The London Archives, February 19, 2025 - February 19, 2025 Join us at The London Archives as Rebekah Higgitt and Jasmine Kilburn-Toppin talk us through their new publication, exploring distinctive practices in the artisanal, mercantile, and governmental sites of London. In this talk, co-authors Rebekah Higgitt and Jasmine Kilburn-Toppin will introduce the book and reflect on how they made use of archives at The London Archive and Guildhall alongside other sources to draw out the voices of artisans and reveal the roles of knowledge and skill. About Metropolitan Science: Beginning with the demographics of London in the 17th and 18th centuries, including its attraction of migrants, importance as a centre of empire, and the role of its institutions in government, the authors analyse how and why London was a unique site of scientific activity. Through the use of case studies, such as the Tower of London’s Royal Mint, and the Livery Company Halls, this book examines the city’s sites of exchange for knowledge and practice and highlights the importance of both public and private spaces. With exploration of London’s military and colonial history, the authors acknowledge how its port and maritime trade were not only central to growth and protection, but also facilitated the organisation, assessment, valuation, and pursuit of knowledge in the city. Ultimately, this book demonstrates that London corporations produced unique knowledge communities that drew on networks across the city and beyond and uses a variety of spatial and material approaches to reveal the use, representation, and exchange of practice in these collective settings.
February 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
ssnci.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce @ssnci.bsky.social 2025 Annual Conference will be held at the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies, University of Aberdeen on 19-21 June 2025.
The conference theme is Universalism and Locality in Nineteenth-Century Ireland!
See ssnci.org/annual-confe...
Annual Conference 2025 | The Society for the Study of Nineteenth-Century Ireland
ssnci.org
January 31, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Rachel Barrett
robthomasbirds.bsky.social
[reposted] The storm has broken at Cardiff University. Solidarity to everyone who is going to be affected by leaving the university, or by remaining as part of a substantially weakened workforce. Please join a union.
January 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM