Today marks 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex. Since then the vessel has become synonymous with the wider history of migration to Britain.
An interactive map at the National Archives in Richmond, south west London, details the individual migration patterns and stories of those who travelled on board in June 1948.
From London to Birmingham and Devon to Norfolk, people from the Windrush settled across Britain.
The interactive maps are created from passenger lists held at the archives and aim to give the general public a wider understanding about migration patterns from the Caribbean.
The maps also feature the destinations passengers from the Empire Windrush’s post-war predecessors – the Ormonde and the Almanzora, which docked in 1947, settled.
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Dr Lisa Berry-Waite, who is the National Archive’s Migration and Citizenship Researcher, worked on the project and talked about the importance of this map.
She said: ‘It is really important in recognising and celebrating the contributions of black people to British society.
‘With this new resource and this map we hope to engage audiences in thinking more about Caribbean migration to Britain in the post-War period and the Windrush generation’s contributions to it.
‘The map really highlights the geographical span of Caribbean communities across the UK and that legacy can still be seen today.
‘In terms of how this map helps us understand this part of history today, many people from the Windrush migrated to Birmingham and still today there is a strong Caribbean culture in this city.’
The Empire Windrush started its journey at Port of Spain (Trinidad), followed by Kingston (Jamaica), Tampico (Mexico), Havana (Cuba), and Bermuda, before crossing the Atlantic to reach Tilbury Docks.
Researchers have then mapped areas every single passenger from The Windrush moved to upon docking in Tilbury.
Dr Berry-Waite highlighted that some addresses would have been temporary prior to people moving somewhere permanent.
‘People moved to cities, towns and villages across the country,’ she said.
‘Many people assume those from the Windrush ended up in London but from our research this was far from the case.
‘Everywhere from Bodmin, to Brighton, Sunderland, Inverness, Glasgow, Wales, a whole geographical span.
‘There are a range of motivations behind migration patterns as well.
‘Some may have been meeting friends and family who had previously migrated from the Caribbean. Other people will have organised jobs beforehand.
‘The occupation data we gained for the passenger list is also really interesting.
‘It shows a diverse range of skills and professions passengers had from carpenters, to plumbers, to clerks, to hairdressers, to dressmakers and accountants.
‘Many moved across after the Second World War to rebuild Britain such as the seven people on board who had their occupation down as nurse and went on to work for the newly formed NHS.’
During Dr Berry-Waite’s research she came across a passenger on board who went on to make a difference.
Ena Clare Sullivan was a nurse who travelled over to Britain to work for the NHS on Class A of the Windrush and paid £48 for her ticket (£2,000 in today’s value).
Dr Berry-Waite talked more about her contribution to the country when she arrived on the Windrush.
‘Her onwards address was listed as West Middlesex Hospital, so that’s where she trained as a nurse,’ she said.
‘She worked there for eight years after her training and then went to work as a nurse in Stoke-on-Trent and then later in Manchester.
‘Her story leans into this regional aspect of not everybody settling in London and travelling across the country.
‘It also highlights the contribution of Ena in helping to set up and staff the newly formed NHS along with many other individuals as well.’
The blog post which includes more information about the interactive map can be found on The National Archives website here.
This article was originally published on October 21, 2023
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