Gypsy Traveller Heritage

In many ways Gypsy Traveller history can be described as a "hidden history". Although in recent years the number of publications and resources about Gypsies and Travellers has increased there is still a wealth of information waiting to be discovered. Attempts to define Gypsy Traveller history and culture is made more difficult by an absence of documents written by people from the Gypsy Traveller community. Gypsy Traveller culture is based around oral tradition, with stories being passed down from generation to generation.

There are a wide range of sources that can be used to uncover and interpret Gypsy Traveller history, these include parish records, such as baptism, marriage and burial registers; poor law records including settlement examinations; as well as census returns and photographs.

Gypsy Traveller History

Romany Gypsies originated from India and it is believed that they left there between 1000-1200 AD. Gypsies travelled from India through the Middle East to Egypt. The term Gypsy is believed to be a corruption of the word Egyptian. Gypsy Traveller culture evolved during their migration from Asia and across Europe. The arrival of Gypsies in Britain was first recorded in 1505 in Scotland and 1514 in England. At Hampshire Record Office the earliest known document we have of Gypsies in the County is an entry in Chawton's parish records for 1638.

Extract Chawton's parish records for 1638
Finding No. 1M70/PW1

In 1530 the Egyptians Act was passed in England, this aimed to rid the country of all Gypsies by banning immigration and requiring Gypsies who were already in England to leave the country within sixteen days. In 1554 this Act was amended and imposed the death penalty for Gypsies already in England if they did not leave within a month. In 1783 a second Egyptians Act repealed these previous acts against Gypsies. However, throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries other acts continued to impact upon Gypsy Traveller culture and lifestyle. Even today legislation is generated that targets Gypsy Travellers and impacts upon their lives.