People, Places, Events   

Passenger Lists The National Archives holds the UK’s surviving inward and outward passenger lists from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, when air travel became more common. The lists are often important in family history research, allowing people with migrant backgrounds to begin to trace the journeys of their ancestors to Britain.

Robert Wedderburn (1762 – 1835/1836?) was a Jamaican-born political and religious radical and also an associate of Richard Carlile, who himself experienced the oppressive suppression of free speech in early 19th century England. Wedderburn actively voiced his opposition to superstition and the enforcement of religion through law, instead advocating for the importance of free inquiry and the ability of individuals with diverse ideas and beliefs to coexist harmoniously.

William Davidson, born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1781, shared a common background with Robert Wedderburn as the illegitimate sons of wealthy white men and Black slave mothers. Despite their challenging beginnings, both men went on to make significant contributions to the abolitionist movement in England.

The Graves of the British West Indies Regiment in Sussex 1916 In the military section of Seaford cemetery, located near the picturesque coast of Sussex, lies a solemn tribute to the brave soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment. Amongst the hallowed grounds, there are 19 graves dedicated to these valiant individuals who served during the winter of 1915-1916.

Amy Barbour-James (25 January 1906 – 4 May 1988) was a British-born Guyanese Black civil rights activist and civil servant. Early Life and Family Caroline Amy Aileen Barbour-James was born in Acton, London, on 25 January 1906 to Guyanese parents, John and Caroline Barbour-James, one of their eight children. The Barbour-James family were a middle-class family who lived in west London in the early 20th century. Her father, John Barbour-James, worked as administrator in West

The League of Coloured Peoples (LCP) was a British civil-rights organisation that was founded in 1931 in London by Jamaican-born physician and campaigner Harold Moody with the goal of racial equality around the world, a primary focus being on black rights in Britain. In 1933, the organization began publication of the civil-rights journal, The Keys. The LCP was a powerful civil-rights force until its dissolution in 1951.

Ella Williams, (born 1865) also known by her stage name 'Mme Abomah', was an American performer. She was a woman of extraordinary height and strength who became an international celebrity in the late 1800s. Born in South Carolina in 1865 to parents who were former slaves, Williams grew to be over eight feet tall after contracting malaria when she was around 14 years old.

A statue commemorating Henrietta Lacks, a black woman, known as the 'mother' of modern medicine, was unveiled at the University of Bristol, recognising her immense contributions to the field.

Christian Frederick Cole (1852 – 1885), also known as "Old King Cole" among his close friends, is a remarkable individual whose accomplishments are deeply rooted in the prestigious academic institutions of the United Kingdom. In an era where opportunities were scarce, especially for individuals of West African descent, Cole's achievements stand as a testament to his exceptional abilities and unwavering determination. Graduating from Oxford University,