Together Trust Archive

As we approach the Diamond Jubilee weekend, marking sixty years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, it got me thinking of the three previous coronations partaken in, since the Together Trust was founded in 1870. The coronation of a new King or Queen was an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate. This was true for the Refuge who saw it as an opportunity to reach out to children beyond those being cared for in their various homes. Invitation to a Coronation Day Party in June 1902

As a Records, Archives and Information Manager at the Together Trust it’s not always about finding historical treasures in the archive (although I wish it was!). So when I do get a few moments to do some research and come across a gem it makes it all the more worthwhile. Our emigration photograph album (Together Trust Ref: M189/9/2/4) is one of my favourite items in the collection. It consists of photographs taken in Canada in 1894 by one the Refuge’s committee members, Gilbert Kirlew , who was visiting the boys there at the time. ‘Taking on Post’

"Bethesda is not a place merely for the dreaming of dreams, it is also a hive of industry. Healing and teaching go hand in hand. The children are educated on the premises by a qualified staff of teachers. Many handicrafts are taught and really beautiful work is done by some of the patient-students, for what they lack in mobility they more than make up for in concentration." - Annual Report, 1920 The ‘Bethesda Home for Crippled and Incurable Children’ on Cheetham Hill was one of Leonard Shaw’s proudest achievements. As well as providing medical treatment to children from some of the direst of conditions it also encouraged them to overcome their disabilities. Bethesda Home, George Street, 1904

It’s been an exciting day here at the Together Trust Archive. We’ve gone digital! One of our most viewed group of documents within our extensive collection include our large leather-bound emigration books. These run from 1883 to 1914 and record all of the children who were emigrated to Marchmont our Receiving Home in Canada during this time. Each child was allocated a page within one of the books. Any reports or correspondence sent back to the Charity was glued into the book. Although they provide a wealth of information on what life was like in Canada, they are also a conservator’s nightmare! One of our emigration books