Thomas Burton collection

Collection

Identifier: M0153

Scope and Contents

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This collection consists of a series of publications and a series of media.

Within the Series of Publications, there are individual publications such as brochures and small magazines containing information on GATEM (Gypsies and Travellers Evangelical Movement) and aspects of Christianity to give to the Gypsy and Traveller communities to learn more. There are also Life and Light Magazines, in both English and French, focused on the work done by the missionaries, stories of individuals, and further information about Christianity. Also included is an essay presented by Thomas Burton at the American Folklore Society's 1993 Annual Meeting. There are printed clippings from the Life and Light Magazines as well as posters regarding the conventions and events held. There are also newspaper clippings regarding GATEM in the media.

Within the Series of Media, there are 27 photographic slides from a GATEM convention and another photographic slide from a seperate GATEM convention, along with 5 aerial photographs. There are a collective 23 cassette tapes from GATEM conventions, Life and Light events, and individual voice recordings. Lastly, there are 3 video cassette tapes from GATEM conventions and a thumb drive with video files of a GATEM convention.

Dates

Creation: 1977–1997

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

This material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use any digitized or otherwise copied material from our holdings for private study, scholarship, or research. Though the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.

Biographical / Historical

The movement presented in this collection is that of GATEM—The Gypsies and Travellers Evangelical Movement. This was a revival among the Gypsy community, known as the Life and Light movement. This movement began in France in the 1950s and originated with the Romani people. From these French communities, the movement spread across Europe and further. The movement had expanded their efforts in the 1980s with Vie et Lumière (Life and Light) missionaries, which visited the United Kingdom as well as other parts of Europe. These Gypsies took to the Pentecostal Christian faith and converts gave up practices that were rooted on Romani culture, such as: alcohol, gambling, and fortune-telling. This movement also brought about a decrease in crime in some communities and promoted newly-enforced community values.