Questions about Work Away From Home (1) Migrant Labour

Reference code: FOL.QUES/52
Level of description: Series
Title: Questions about Work Away From Home (1) Migrant Labour
Scope and content: "In the past, it was common for people to leave home for part of the year and live and work in some other area. Individual workers, or groups of them, often went over to Scotland or England, for instance. Many went to find farm work, but other sorts of jobs were looked for as well. This questionnaire is the first of three which the Folk Museum is sending out on this subject. We will be grateful for any memories you may have to relate."
1. Were there special names given to people who went away to work (either singly or in groups) for part of the year? Were these names ever used to describe other sorts of work or people?
2. What sort of people went to find work?
3. At what times of the year did people go away to find work? Was there a particular day on which they started?
4. If a group of people travelled to work together, was one person chosen as a leader or foreman? Who chose this person?
5. How did people travel to the place where they wanted to find work? Were there special trains or boats, or special tickets provided?
6. What were the travelling conditions like?
7. What sort of work was found by workers? Please list any farming jobs done. Was there any work done outside farming?
8. Did people work in several different places during their time away from home, or did they stay in one place?
9. Was there any competition between workers when they were doing a job? Were some tools or implements especially popular with workers?
10. How long did people usually stay away from home?
11. What sort of wages did workers receive? (If you remember actual wages, please say when, in the past, these were paid).
12. If you know any stories, songs or poems about workers, please write them down.