Social Democratic Federation, Burnley - any ideas please? - COMPLETED THANKS

[Luzzu]

Hi,

 

My gt, gt grandfather was, he lived at Hargher Street, Burnley and had a coal dealing business.

His obituary said he was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Federation and a former president of the Clarion Club.

I understand the Social Democratic Federation (possibly also known as the Trade Union Movement)  became what we know as the Labour Party and I believe Samuel stood for the SDF and was elected.  Date wise I would guess I am looking at around 1890-1900 here.

I have been in contact with Burnley Library, Lancashire Records Office and Burnley Labour Party and consulted Bennett's History of Burnley and am struggling to find out anything.

Burnley Labour Party relocated in the 1960's when the town centre was redeveloped and much of the archive material was destroyed basically because there was no one to sort it and no where to store it.  Burnley Library did not have the time and resources to do what they would have wished.

Does anyone have any ideas what to do next. 

Thank you,

Luzzu

[wendy47]

Hi

I found these, which may be of interest if you've not seen them


http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Social-Democratic%20Federation%20%28UK%29%22

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=K6NB_NkCZTwC&pg=PA40&lpg=PA40&dq=burnley+Social+Democratic+Federation&source=bl&ots=xEdPh4_J7s&sig=yVPcIdE214qtFrFkcJ2qbi8A36w&hl=en&ei=fkF0SrnzG-LOjAfQmeinBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#v=onepage&q=burnley%20Social%20Democratic%20Federation&f=false

Wendy

[Maggie.]

Hi Luzzu,

I have somewhere a newspaper cutting showing 2 photographs, one is taken at the Clarion House, which was the meeting place of the Independent Labour Party and the other is of a group of ILP members before the Clarion House meeting place was built in 1912. 

I am not sure how the ILP related to the Social Democratic Federation but the article describes it as 'the mother of the Labour Party'.  The Clarion House is still standing and in use today, and is situated between Roughlee and Newchurch in Pendle, near Burnley.  The photos are undated but from the style of dress of the people on the group photo that one probably dates from the early 1900s, and it crosses my mind that your gt.gt. grandfather, as a former president of the Clarion Club, may be on the photo.

I need to locate the article but I can post a copy of the photos here if you think it may be of interest.

Maggie

[Luzzu]

Hi Wendy and Maggie,

Thank you so much for your replies.  I have had a quick look (as usual when I find anything interesting  family history wise, I have to go to work) at the manifesto and annual reports and I haven't seen them before so there are of interest.

Maggie - PLEASE FIND THE PHOTOGRAPH.  I have never seen a photograph of Samuel and would dearly love to.  The only other picture I know of was lost when the former Burnley Labour Club was demolished in the 60's.  I had given up hope of a picture.

I don't know too much about the SDF and ILP but think that the Social Democratic Federation eventually became the Labour Party and having had a quick look at the manifesto and annual reports that Wendy found for me, it does seem the policies are similar.

Can't wait to get back online later on.  Keeping everything crossed. 

Luzzu

[Maggie.]

Hi Luzzu,

Hope this catches you before you have to go to work!!  I have found the article and I hope you can read it.  I can have a go at getting a better go at the photos later, although no names are mentioned on them.

Maggie 

[Maggie.]

Hi again Luzzu,

A bigger and brighter version of the group.  Perhaps the talented folk on the restoration board can work their wonders on it - I think its a bit beyond me!!

I wonder if your gt.gt. grandfather is amongst these people? What a pity the people are unnamed

Maggie

[Redroger]

The SDF was one of several Socialist Societies which existed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is not a direct ancestor of the Labour Party! I think the confusion is caused by the fact that many of the current prominent members of today's Labour Party would describe themselves as Social Democrats. By today's standards I understand that the SDF would be described as an extreme left organization, and ineligible for affiliation to Labour even if it wanted to!

[Luzzu]

Hi Maggie  ,

Thanks ever so much for the photographs and the PM.  Very much appreciated.  Now I just have to find out which one is Samuel (if he's there). I have a photograph of his daughter so perhaps there will be a family resemblence. At least I have some new information and leads to work with now - I had next to nothing earlier today.

Hi also to Redroger  ,

Thanks for the clarification.  Appreciate your input and hope I've not caused offence there by my lack of knowledge.  When I contacted the Labour Party last year they did lead me to believe there was some kind of link.  I can't believe how much I'm learning since got involved in genealogy.

Luzzu

[Maggie.]

Luzzu - Its a pleasure to help and I hope it proves to be useful.  I am attempting to clean up that photo a bit, although I'm doubtful whether it will help with identification as I am only a novice with restoration.  If it looks an improvement I will post it up for you.

Redroger - I also know next to nothing about the beginnings of the Labour Party so I am indebted to you for clarification.  I ought to learn more as apparently my father's uncle was a staunch supporter of the Labour Party all his life, and my father could remember being present, as a very small boy, when Keir Hardy stayed at his uncle's house whilst giving a talk to the local Labour Party in Padiham, Burnley.

Maggie