The story of Empire Windrush in ten documents

75 years after its arrival, follow the story of the Empire Windrush through The National Archives records.

On the 22nd June 1948, the passengers on the Empire Windrush disembarked at Tilbury.

Although there had always been a Black presence in the British Isles, a new generation led by inspirational pioneers such as Lord Kitchener and Claudia Jones were about to leave their own indelible marks.

A key moment in British – and global – history, the Empire Windrush’s arrival saw hundreds of sojourners (many of whom would become settlers) from Britain’s Caribbean colonies make the long journey to what was often seen as the “Mother Country.”

This talk will explore documents that reflect on this key moment in British and global history. As a state archive, The National Archives holds numerous records relating to migration and citizenship, including one of the archives’ most iconic and treasured records: the Empire Windrush passenger list. Join us to explore what government records can tell us about migration from the Caribbean in this post-war era and the experiences of people who settled.

Image credit - BT/26/1231/1

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