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A Family History Of...

Ordinary lives at extraordinary moments


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  • 35. The Woman Who Sold Fascism | East London vs The Fascists: A Family History of... Cable Street (Part 3)

    41:15||Ep. 35
    Not everyone wanted the march to be stopped. As one of the British Union of Fascists' most prominent female organisers, Anne Brock-Griggs spent the 1930s campaigning, writing and recruiting in support of the movement. In this episode, host Jen Baldwin and the British Library’s Beth Gaskell examine Cable Street from a seldom-heard perspective, following Anne's story through family records, newspapers and political archives. What drew people towards fascism in Britain, and what happened when those beliefs collided with a community determined to resist them? Advisory note: This episode features themes that listeners may find offensive. These are treated according to the standards of the time and in their historical context.Host: Jen BaldwinResearcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra BaldwinGuest: Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image, British LibraryEditor: Guy BettisonScript editors: Madeleine Gilbert, Niall Cullen, and Daisy GoddardProducers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James PlumbDesigner: Michael McCoshSocial media: Sarah Cornes, Ellie Ayton, and Thomas DavisExecutive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James

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  • 34. The Battle After the Battle | East London vs The Fascists: A Family History Of... Cable Street

    32:17||Ep. 34
    One day in 1936 would shape the rest of this young woman’s life. When Minnie Keeping joined the crowds on 4 October 1936, she was one of thousands opposing fascism on the streets of East London. The events of that day would remain with her for the rest of her life. Joined by British Library Lead Curator Beth Gaskell, host Jen Baldwin traces Minnie's journey from young activist to one of the people who helped preserve the memory of Cable Street for future generations. As the day itself recedes into the past, a different struggle begins: the fight over how it will be remembered. Host: Jen BaldwinResearcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra BaldwinGuest: Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image, British LibraryEditor: Guy BettisonScript editors: Madeleine Gilbert, Niall Cullen, and Daisy GoddardProducers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James PlumbDesigner: Michael McCoshSocial media: Sarah Cornes, Ellie Ayton, and Thomas DavisExecutive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James
  • 33. Arrested for Opposing the Fascists | East London vs The Fascists: A Family History Of... Cable Street

    43:48||Ep. 33
    As tensions rise across East London, one family finds itself at the heart of the story.In October 1936, three brothers from a Jewish hairdressing family step out onto the streets of East London as tensions over a planned fascist march reach breaking point. By the end of the day, all three will be under arrest.Host Jen Baldwin and British Library Lead Curator Beth Gaskell uncover the story of the Jacobvitch family, exploring how ordinary residents became caught up in one of the most famous confrontations in modern British history. As East London prepares for a day of uncertainty, the conditions for conflict are already falling into place.Host: Jen BaldwinResearcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra BaldwinGuest: Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image, British LibraryEditor: Guy BettisonScript editors: Madeleine Gilbert, Niall Cullen, and Daisy GoddardProducers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James PlumbDesigner: Michael McCoshSocial media: Sarah Cornes, Ellie Ayton, and Thomas DavisExecutive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James
  • East London vs The Fascists | A Family History Of... Cable Street

    02:10|
    As fascism advanced on East London, whole communities fought back. The Battle of Cable Street is remembered as the day East London stopped the fascists. But inside that famous story are very different lives, choices, and consequences. Host and genealogist Jen Baldwin and Beth Gaskell from the British Library uncover the history of this day through ordinary people: Jewish brothers arrested amid the disorder, a young activist who spent decades defending its legacy, and a woman helping build support for fascism itself. Together, their stories reveal a day of resistance, division and conviction, and the people pulled into its path. Listen from 29 September, wherever you get your podcasts.Host: Jen Baldwin Researcher: Jen Baldwin Guest: Beth Gaskell, Lead Curator of News and Moving Image, British Library Editor: Guy Bettison Script editors: Madeleine Gilbert, Niall Cullen, and Daisy Goddard Producers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James Plumb Designer: Michael McCosh Social media: Sarah Cornes, Ellie Ayton, and Thomas Davis Executive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James
  • 32. From the Postbox | Your Industrial Revolution Questions (Bonus)

    21:56||Ep. 32
    Beyond the written record, the people of Ironbridge Gorge can still be found in the stories passed down through generations.In this special bonus episode, host Jen Baldwin is joined by her Producer, Ellie Ayton, to answer your questions about researching ancestors at the heart of the Industrial Revolution.Host: Jen Baldwin Guest: Ellie AytonEditor: Caroline Harrower Script editors: Niall Cullen, Daisy Goddard, and Madeleine Gilbert Producers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James Plumb Designer: Michael McCosh Social media: Sarah Cornes, Thomas Davis, and Ellie Ayton Executive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James 
  • 31. Secrets of the Gorge | Rise, Power, Ruin: The Industrial Revolution (Bonus)

    36:09||Ep. 31
    The furnaces have fallen silent – but the stories they left behind are just beginning to be uncovered.  Curators, historians and researchers are still piecing together the lives of the families who shaped the Ironbridge Gorge. Forgotten workers. Remarkable archive discoveries. For this special episode, host and genealogist Jen Baldwin is joined by National Trust curators Helen Antrobus and Lauren Collier for a peek behind the scenes. They explore why the story of Ironbridge is far from finished... Host: Jen Baldwin Researcher: Jen Baldwin  Guests: Helen Antrobus and Lauren CollierEditor: Caroline Harrower Script editors: Niall Cullen, Daisy Goddard, and Madeleine Gilbert Producers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James Plumb Designer: Michael McCosh Social media: Sarah Cornes, Thomas Davis, and Ellie Ayton Executive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James 
  • 30. Paying the Price for Change | Rise, Power, Ruin: The Industrial Revolution (Part 3)

    38:40||Ep. 30
    A soldier survives war, only to face his greatest struggle at home. Swapping the battlefield for the mines, British Army soldier Matthew Taylor returns home to build a new life. He is confronted by job insecurity and relentless pressure. Host and genealogist Jen Baldwin is joined by historian Alice Loxton to trace Matthew’s journey from soldier to coal miner. Can he survive such brutal conditions? What was the cost of Ironbridge’s rapid change for people like him? Host: Jen Baldwin Researcher: Jen Baldwin  Guest: Alice Loxton Editor: Caroline Harrower Script editors: Niall Cullen, Daisy Goddard, and Madeleine Gilbert Producers: Madeleine Gilbert, Ellie Ayton, and James Plumb Designer: Michael McCosh Social media: Sarah Cornes, Thomas Davis, and Ellie Ayton Executive Producers: Helen Kaye and Steve James