Leeds University Library's Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections
The collections contain an extensive range of international books, manuscripts and archives relating to Gypsy, Traveller and Roma culture.
[1] The origins of the Collections can be traced back to 1950 when the poet and dramatist, Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, donated her archive material and printed books and pamphlets to Leeds University Library.
[1] The Designation Scheme is a mark of distinction which recognises collections in non-national institutions, which are of outstanding national and international importance for users.
[9] It includes manuscripts, letters, typescripts, press cuttings, photographs, musical scores, artwork and objects featuring Gypsies and Travellers in the UK and worldwide.
[16] Leeds University Library acquires books and archives to enhance the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections.
It includes personal papers, manuscripts, correspondence, research material and printed works referencing Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in UK and Europe.
[17] The subjects of the papers include national legislation in European countries, history, language/dialects, culture, religion, The Holocaust [Porajmos], Romani studies and the work of the Gypsy Lore Society.
The large amount of official Spanish documents dating from 16th and 17th century which relate to laws applying to "Gitanos" [Roma] in Spain are a highlight of the collections.
[19] Thomas William Thompson (1888–1968) was a prominent collector of Gypsy and Traveller folklore particularly in the North of England and Midlands from 1915.
He has been president of the Romany & Traveller Family History Society and a former Treasurer of the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group.
[26] The Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections offer research opportunities in subjects such as art, literature, history, culture, language/linguistics, philology, sociology, religion, law, politics, human rights, activism and geography.
[27] Researchers have used the collections to explore the experiences of the community in different parts of Europe including Spain and in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
[33] In 2018 an exhibition 'Rights and Romance' in the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery at the University of Leeds featured archives from the Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Collections.
