Migrants to Britain

What to expect in the workshop at The National Archives

In the onsite workshop, students will explore the lives of several Indian seafarers, known as lascars, through investigating a variety of documents. They will uncover details of worldwide travel, the range of jobs undertaken and the impact of legislation such as the 1920 Aliens Order. They will gather evidence about themes such as migration, identity, challenges and agency.

The two-hour workshop is led by an experienced history educator in an inspiring learning space at The National Archives in Kew. Students develop skills in working with a range of original documents including passport applications, letters, and photographs. They will consider the provenance and usefulness of these sources when looking for evidence of the experience of six different Indian seafarers.

What to expect in the online workshop

In the online workshop in your classroom students will investigate the lives of three Indian seafarers, known as lascars, by exploring a series of documents. This session develops skills in working with original documents, such as passport applications, letters, and photographs.

The one-hour online session in your classroom is led by an experienced history educator, you only need a microphone, large screen and webcam to take part. Interactive activities encourage students to discuss their ideas and work in groups using high-quality materials provided in advance by the Education team.

Connections to the curriculum

This session is not designed to be an introduction to the topic and students should have knowledge of the topic in advance of attending the workshop.