Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) History Month is celebrated each June and is an opportunity for everyone to discover more about the rich and unique histories of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people across Surrey. Find out more about this year’s campaign.

Tracing Gypsy Romany and Travellers ancestors

Surrey History Centre holds archives, photographs, and published works to help you discover more about your travelling ancestors. A comprehensive guide takes you through all the most useful sources, and why GRT family history can be challenging, not least because families moved around between counties for seasonal work, such as hop picking. On our Exploring Surrey's Past web page there are a variety of stories covering aspects of Surrey’s GRT history, and many posts from people who have found or are trying to locate their GRT forebears.

One of the most extraordinary stories featured is how families camped at the Hurtwood, near Albury, and the Hurtwood Gypsy School, were moved local, stock, and barrel to Field Common, Walton-on-Thames in 1934! The new hut accommodation became known as Hurtwood Bungalows, and the school became part of East Walton Temporary Council School, known as the Tin School. Heritage volunteer, Lucy East, has Romany Gypsy heritage and is descended from members of the Lee, Parker, and Bird families who travelled in Surrey before settling at Field Common. Lucy’s grandfather, Jim Lee, attended the Tin School after it reopened in 1934. You can read Lucy’s research here The Hurtwood Bungalows, Walton-on-Thames

If you have researched a Surrey GRT connection we’d love to hear from you!

Images:

• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month logo
• Hurtwood Bungalows plan, Walton & Weybridge Urban District Council, plan no. 3724, 1 July 1933 (Surrey History reference