Five things the workers circle membership card data tells us
In 2023, researcher Lucy Lopata-Varkas undertook a placement with the Jewish Museum London to better understand the information within a set of membership cards from the Workers Circle Friendly society, dating from the late 1960s/early 1970s.
Below is a summary of her findings.
1. Ages
Most members were in their mid-twenties to late-thirties when entering the society. Applications from persons in their 50’s were less common.
2. Occupations
Almost 50% of members worked within the textiles industry, and 62% of that workforce were tailors. Over 15% worked in the artisanal sector as cabinetmakers, upholsterers, stick makers or carvers.
3. death benefits paid to
The overwhelming majority of death benefit nominees were spouses. Many of those who initially wished to have their death benefit paid to parents, family members or friends, would later revoke the benefit in favour of their spouse upon marriage. In the case of a spouse’s death, the member would usually pass it onto to their children or other close family members.
4. Family size
Most members came from large families, having 3 to 4 siblings on average.
Despite a large number of siblings, most members had few children at entry with one child on average. This number, however, may reflect the members’ young age, and it is possible they had more children in the following years.
5. marital status
Three quarters of members were married at the time of entering the Society. Many who initially declared a single status later married, consequently increasing the number of married members.
This project has been supported by ACE and was part of our NPO Activity Plan 2023-2024.
