Catalogue description 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.

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 WW1 broke out

Track 4: Duration (min/sec): 1.57 Description of track: talks briefly about WW1 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

(min/sec) Description of track

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 WW1; 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 36.45

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.

Original tape reel (the tape was originally accessioned as T85 and the dubbing reference number was 62/PLA)

NSA copy of CD-R serial numbers:

CD 1 of 2: 2296 2217 5684

CD 2 of 2: 2296 2217 5687

Archive master CD-R serial numbers:

CD 1 of 2: 2296 2217 5686

CD 2 of 2: 2296 2217 5688