A Family History Of...

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 Baldwin

Researcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Baldwin

Researcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Baldwin

Researcher: Jen Baldwin and Sidra 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Ayton

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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Collier

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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the Coalport China Works, three generations of the Austin family pass down an intricate craft. 

Their careful work travels the globe, and yet their names are lost to history...  

Historian Alice Loxton joins host and genealogist Jen Baldwin to uncover a hidden story of female labour. As the world changes around them, a key question emerges: what happens when a highly prized skill is no longer needed? 

Host: Jen Baldwin 

Researchers: 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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born sixteen years apart, two brothers inherit the same world, but live very different lives.  

Harry Nicholas spends his days in the foundry. His younger brother follows a path of education and opportunity.  

Host and genealogist Jen Baldwin is joined by historian Alice Loxton to explore how two brothers navigate the same industrial community in very different ways, raising the question: how much say did ordinary workers have in their own futures?

Host: Jen Baldwin 

Researchers: 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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three families. One revolution. A lifetime of consequences. 

A story of skill and sacrifice in the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Historian Alice Loxton joins host and genealogist Jen Baldwin to trace three families whose lives were shaped by one of history’s greatest transformations. At Ironbridge Gorge, industry creates opportunity, security and prosperity. But what happens when change begins to leave communities behind? 

Listen to episode 1 from 1 September.

Host: Jen Baldwin 

Researchers: 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 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.