feature: 200 years on
14 September 2007
Celebrating the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
In 1807 the law making the British transatlantic slave trade illegal was passed. This first major step towards outlawing slavery itself is being commemorated throughout the year in Haringey.
At the end of July, Council Leader George Meehan hosted a civic reception at Broadwater Farm community centre, with guests including the Jamaican and South African High Commissioners, the first black footballer to score for England, Luther Blissett, and Spurs coach Chris Ramsey.
"This is an opportunity for all of us to remember the millions who suffered from slavery, and to pay tribute to the courage and moral conviction of all those – black and white – who campaigned for abolition," Cllr Meehan said.
"We are working very hard in Haringey to try to remove many of the negative legacies of slavery. Haringey Council will do all in its power to promote equality and challenge the bigotry and prejudice at the heart of slavery."
The reception was just one of many events and activities through the year with an abolition of slavery theme, including school projects, exhibitions and workshops in libraries, International Women’s Day celebrations, and the Tottenham Carnival.
Community groups across the borough have also been awarded grants for local projects, including children’s theatre, film shows, reminiscence days for older residents, educational workshops and art sessions.
And the theme continues in Black History Month, with events in libraries, Bruce Castle Museum and community venues across the borough throughout October.
Check your local library or Bruce Castle museum for the full Black History Month programme, or see www.haringey.gov.uk/blackhistorymonth.
For more information on slavery and events commemorating the abolition of the slave trade nationally see www.direct.gov.uk/slavery (external link), www.abolition200.org.uk (external link) and www.bbc.co.uk/abolition (external link). For slavery today see www.antislavery.org (external link).
|back to topLocal people of African Caribbean descent tracing their family tree can get all the help they need at libraries and Bruce Castle museum.
For beginners a special talk, "Your Family Tree: Where to start", takes place at Bruce Castle Museum from 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Monday 22 October.
A three session course, "Trace your family history: Prepare your own pedigree chart", runs at Marcus Garvey Library, on 26 October, 23 November and 7 December, 7pm to 8pm, giving you all the necessary skills to trace your roots. Contact Selma Ibrahim on 020 8489 2537 or email selma.ibrahim@haringey.gov.uk for more information and to book a place. You must attend all three sessions.
For online research, start with the "tracing your roots" pages at www.movinghere.org.uk (external link).
Useful books available in libraries include ‘Tracing Your West Indian Ancestors’, by Guy Grannum, ‘Immigrants and Aliens: a guide to sources on UK immigration and citizenship’, by Roger and Mark Pearsall, and ‘Ancestors’, by Paul Crooks, about his own family research. The website www.everygeneration.co.uk/familytree/paul_crooks.htm (external link) describes the book and gives tips on tracing your family tree.
|back to top- The transatlantic slave trade began in the mid-fifteenth century. British ships made about 11,000 slaving voyages, transporting an estimated 12 million Africans into slavery in the Americas.
- The campaign against slavery gained ground from the 1750s, involving not only well-known figures like William Wilberforce, but also many former slaves settled in Britain.
- Haringey Quakers, based at the Tottenham Friends meeting house, were closely involved, including Priscilla Wakefield and William Dillwyn, who wrote in 1783: "In procuring slaves from the coast of Africa... cruel tyranny is encouraged. The hands of robbers are strengthened and thousands reduced to the most abject slavery, who never injured us."
- On 25 March 1807 Parliament eventually passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. Slavery itself was outlawed in British colonies in 1833.
- Slavery is now illegal across the world, but still exists in various forms.
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