| Ref No | MS 4000/5/1/3/5 |
| Title | Sound recording of Betsy Miller (born c.1886) describing her life in Salford, Manchester c1915 onwards and the childhood of her son, Ewan MacColl (1915-1989). Tape 1. |
| Level | File |
| Date | 29 January 1969 |
| Description | Recording of interview by Charles Parker of Betsy Miller (BM) (born c.1886) describing her own life, political awareness and bringing up her son Ewan MacColl [formerly known as Jimmie Miller].
CD-R 1 of 2
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 2.46 Description of track: BM talks about her parents and siblings (except one sister) emigration to Australia and losing touch with them due to the distance and having her own family to raise
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 5.00 Description of track: talks about her independent spirit; they discuss death and her three miscarriages
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 4.33 Description of track: talks about childbirth and children which had died; her son Jimmie [Ewan MacColl] was born in 1915 in Salford; describes move to Salford just before WWI broke out
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 1.57 Description of track: talks briefly about WWI and her son Jimmie (James Henry Miller) who was named after her father and born at 4 Andrew Street, Lower Broughton, Salford
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 3.18 Description of track: discusses religion; Jimmie baptised at St Matthias Church, Salford; her parents working
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 2.25 Description of track: talks about the house on Andrew Street, Lower Broughton and her neighbours
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 6.19 Description of track: mentions her husband's militant political attitudes; describes general life and habits in Lower Broughton; talks about Jimmie's education as he attended a good elementary school on Grecian Street; mentions now living at 37 Coburg Street and describes the locality
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 5.21 Description of track: talks about advent of motorised transport; street games; boys fighting including Jimmie
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 5.08 Description of track: talks about local people and happenings [pause at end of track]
Total duration: (min/sec): 36.49
CD-R 2 of 2
Track 1: Duration (min/sec): 6.14 Description of track: BM talks about her son Jimmie and her belief that he would be a writer; he was born 25 January 1915]; talks about previous homes in Scotland before the move to Salford
Track 2: Duration (min/sec): 4.20 Description of track: talks about her husband who was a founder and militant trade unionist; his work as a moulder in an iron foundry; his visit to Australia for his health; his singing
Track 3: Duration (min/sec): 5.11 Description of track: talks about her husband's singing and his entertaining in clubs and pubs in era before WWI; his stage name was Wally MacPherson
Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 3.40 Description of track: talks about her husband's appearance; types of songs he sang
Track 5: Duration (min/sec): 1.46 Description of track: talks about move from Bonnybridge when her husband was returning from Australia; her husband's socialist/communist views were not welcomed in Scotland
Track 6: Duration (min/sec): 4.11 Description of track: describes her husband's time in Australia; work in a foundry
Track 7: Duration (min/sec): 2.09 Description of track: talks about her political awareness learned from her husband and continued by Ewan [Jimmie] and first hand experience of working class life
Track 8: Duration (min/sec): 2.24 Description of track: continues talking about move from Bonnybridge when her husband returned from Australia
Track 9: Duration (min/sec): 4.21 Description of track: talks about her one visit abroad to America; talks about her parents; BM maiden name was Betsy Hendry
Track 10: Duration (min/sec): 2.27 Description of track: BM talks a little Gaelic [track stops suddenly]
Total duration: (min/sec): 36.45 |
| Related Material | See CD recording of the sixth radio ballad 'On The Edge' originally transmitted on the BBC Home Service in February 1963. Accompanying written production documentation on the radio ballad is at MS 4000/ 2/92. |
| Physical Description | Listening copies: 2 x CD-R serial numbers:
CD 1 of 2: CF129 K006 6974
CD 2 of 2: CF129 K006 6874
Original tape:
Size: 5" tape reel
Gauge: 1/4" tape (0.625cm)
Speed: 3.75ips (9.5cm/s)
EQ Curve used: IEC
Track configuration: Half Track Mono
Dubbing Date: 12/02
Notes: Butt changeover with CD1 |
| Access Status | Open |
| Language | English |