Sephardic Jews were the first Jews legally settled in England since 1290. The community was established in London in 1656 by Portuguese Jewish merchants. A synagogue was opened in Creechurch Lane before moving to a new building around the corner in Bevis Marks in 1701. The Ashkenazi Great Synagogue was established down the road in Duke’s Place.
From the late 18th Century, there were ‘inter-marriages’ between Sephardim and Ashkenazim, generally held in the bridegroom’s synagogue. The Spanish & Portuguese Jewish community in London fractured in the 1840s with the development of Reform Judaism and the desire of some (mostly richer) Sephardim to identify as British Jews and follow a less rigorous interpretation of Judaism.
In the late 19th and early 20th Century, eastern Sephardim from the Ottoman Empire and Megorashim from Morocco and Gibraltar settled in England, principally involved in the textile trade, establishing congregations in London and Manchester.
London Sephardic Jewish Community
History of Sephardic Jews in London
The Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation (“the S&P”) has been rebranded as the S&P Sephardi Community. Over time, some Ashkenazim, Moroccan and eastern Sephardim joined the community. In the post-War period, people of other Jewish origins, notably from Iraq and Egypt, have also joined the congregation.
Genealogical Resources for Researching the Sephardic Jews in London
This is an introductory guide to researching the Sephardic Jews of London. A general rule of thumb is that when you can no longer find early ancestors in London, then consult the Amsterdam Sephardic archives. People in the early records described as ‘Vindos’ (Arrivals) have come directly from Portugal.
Bevis Marks REcords
The Bevis Marks Records contain vital records with some gaps in the early period. Bevis Marks is the street on which the synagogue stands, and by which name it is known. These records have been extracted from the synagogue’s historic archives, which are now mostly at the London Metropolitan Archives. The six volume Bevis Marks Records include a history of the congregation as well as these five volumes:
- Abstracts of Ketubot (marriage contracts) from earliest times until 1837
- Abstracts of Ketubot and civil marriage registers from 1837-1901
- Circumcision registers (1679-1775)
- Birth registers (1767-1881)
- Burial registers (1733-1918)
Copies of the Bevis Marks Records can be found in major reference libraries and Jewish historical or genealogical libraries. Some old copies can be purchased from the S&P Sephardi Community.
London Metropolitan Archives
Most of the congregation’s pre-20th century archives are now held at the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA/4521). Access requires written permission from the congregation’s archivist. Much of this archive has now been digitised by the National Library of Israel.
The Libros de Contas (Account Books) are particularly valuable, containing lists of fintas (membership fees), synagogue officials, and charity recipients, often mentioning family relationships. A Nação Hebraica is a project using artificial intelligence to transcribe the Accounts Books and other documents.
Sephardic jewish Cemeteries in london
Over its history, the community has operated four cemeteries, two of which are still in use. In the 1970s Queen Mary College compelled the Spanish & Portuguese Jews’ Congregation to sell most of the land of its Novo cemetery. The remains of the disinterred were reburied in Essex.
- Velho Beth Haim (‘Old cemetery’) (1657- ) is off Mile End Road and can be visited by permission of the Disused Cemeteries Committee of the S&P Sephardi Community
- Novo Beth Haim (‘New cemetery’). (1733- ) What remains of this burial ground is now surrounded by Queen Mary College on the Mile End Road, and is accessible.
- Hoop Lane Cemetery (1896- ) is near Golders Green in north London.
- Edgwarebury Cemetery (1972- )
- Brentwood Sephardic Jewish Cemetery, Coxtie Green Road, Brentwood, Essex. Most people who were buried in the Novo before 1876 have been reburied here in mass graves.
Other London Resources for sephardic genealogists
- National Archives: Wills, court cases, and endenizement records
- Guildhall Library.
- London Lives.
- Old Bailey Online: Criminal court records from 1674
- British Library. Requires a Reader’s Card.
- London Gazette.
- Sephardic Genealogical Society
- Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. The JGSGB has Europe’s largest library of Jewish genealogy.
Selection of Sephardic World talks on the Sephardic Jews in London
- The Sephardic Poor of Amsterdam and London – Ton Tielen
- Sir Moses Montefiore – Abigail Green
- Vindos de Portugal – Carla Vieira
- Jews in Georgian Society – The Laras of London – Pearl Foster
- Trade and persecution: Three Merchants between Lisbon and London – Carla Vieira
- Opening the Archives with Technology – Bevis Marks, A Case Study – David Silvera
- Daniel Mendoza, Regency Boxer and Improbable Jewish Hero – David Mendoza
- The Bevis Marks Synagogue Story – Celebrating over 300 years – Marilyn Scott with Rabbi Shalom Morris
- London’s 18th Century Secular Records – David Mendoza
Manchester Sephardic Jewish Community
History of Sephardim in Manchester
The Manchester Sephardic Jewish Community was established in the late 19th century, primarily focused on the textile trade. Early members included merchants from the Levant and Mediterranean:
- Daniel Piccioto (Aleppo)
- Samuel Hadida (Gibraltar)
- Moses Messulam (Constantinople)
- Isaac Pariente (Tetuan)
- Abraham Btesh (Killiz, Syria)
Other notable families included Besso and Levi from Corfu; Sharim, Sciama, Setton, Laniado, and Dwek from Aleppo; Cazes, Azulay and Pariente from Morocco; and Pinto from London.
Sephardic Synagogues in Manchester
- Moor Lane Manchester Congregation (שערי תפילה Gates of Prayer): Established in 1873.
- Withington Congregation (שערי רחמים Gates of Mercy): Established at Mauldeth Road in 1904, moved to Queens Road in 1927. The congregation is often known as “Queens Road”, although the road is now called Queenston Road.
Genealogical Resources for Manchester Sephardim
- The Sephardim of Manchester: Pedigrees and Pioneers by Lydia Collins and M. L. Bierbrier
- Historical Record of the Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese
Jews 1904-1929 by Joseph Pereira-Mendoza - University of Southampton Special Collections: Contains papers relating to the Manchester Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews
- Manchester Jewish Museum: Located in the former Moor Lane synagogue
- Video: Sephardic Jews of Manchester
- Manchester Sephardic Cemeteries:
- Urmston Jewish Cemetery (opened 1878)
- Jewish section of Manchester’s Southern Cemetery (from 1934)
Additional Resources for Researching Sephardic Jews in England
- Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain: Dutch and Sephardi Special Interest Group.
- Jewish Historical Society of England
- Archives of The Jewish Chronicle newspaper and other UK newspapers and publications
- Civil Birth, Marriage and Death Registers
- Census data from 1841 (excluding 1941)
- Trade directories and Post Office directories
- The National Archives hold Alien Registrations (Home Office files) and Passport Applications (FO 611).
Sephardic Jews in Yorkshire
Most Anglo-Sephardim have never heard of this congregation. The Leeds Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue operated at 21 Leopold Street between the 1920s and 1940s. Most members were eastern Sephardim, especially from Salonika, but followed the western Sephardic rite.
Genealogist researching Sephardic Jews in England
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