Accrington Esperanto Society
 

I was contacted recently by an Esperanto enthusiast looking to gain more information regarding the Accrington Esperanto Society. The limited info we have already is:

The Esperanto Society in Accrington was founded in 1909. The founder was a dentist called Lee. A Miss Lizzie Iddon (1867 – 1960) who became a Fellow of the British Esperanto Association in January of 1909, and she was listed as secretary of the Accrington branch, with S. Kirkbright listed as chairman in January 1911. Lizzie Iddon, originally from Accrington and later of Southport, won a competition for original writing in Esperanto in 1914. By August of that year the local society was meeting daily. Mr Edwin Roberts was secretary of the Accrington Esperanto Society in August 1912.

If anyone has any more information regarding the society or any of the names mentioned, it would be much appreciated and I'll see that it gets passed on. Thanks.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Although a Lizzie Iddon was born in Accrington in 1867, she's proving difficult to find in any of the census returns.
As for such a society in Acc pre WW1, I don't think a large majority of the working class folk in Acc would have had the time or the inclination to be involved in such.
I've never come across any reference to Esperanto in all the old newpapers I've read reseaching WW1.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Thanks for your efforts Retlaw. It is thought that Lizzie has Southport connections so that may explain why the local census doesn't include her.

I've found one hit in the Newspaper Detectives site on 25/03/1916 by Mr. Kirkbright regarding Accrington Esperanto Society so the club was running until at least this date.

Edit: I've also found an entry on Newspaper Detectives on 25/03/1916 from Mr Harrison regarding Accrington Esperanto Society - place recorded as Burnley. I'll pass these links on shortly so copies can be obtained if wanted.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Lizzie Iddon was born in Accrington in 1868 and then moved to North Meols where she is living in the census records between 1871 and 1901.
In 1911 she is back in Accrington living with her sister and brother in Law.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Thank you! You have just solved a problem I had, a 1914 postcard sent to a family member and I couldn't figure out what language it was in. I never thought of Esperanto.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

There was big interest in Esperanto amongst socialist groups at that time - the WEA took it on board to hold classes. There are two museums in Manchester devoted to early socialism One is The People's Museum. Try them.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Hello! After 5 years it's a long shot, but do you still have that postcard? I would love to see it and translate it for you.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Just this morning I have received a postcard (dated 21 Nov 1911) purchased from Ebay and the message on the back is in Esperanto.

Using Google translate it appears to be from someone learning stenography.

Attachment 57146

Attachment 57147

My Grandparents lived at No 114 after WW2, the house is where the horse & cart are on the left.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

kia ŝarĝo de fek

Shout loud enough and the only language needed is English.

:hidewall:

P.S. I just broke one of the rules, English language only on AccyWeb.
:hehetable

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

This card is from Edwin Roberts who is learning shorthand. He tells his pen-friend in France tht he does not speak French.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Brilliant - I missed the signature, how do you get Edwin rather than say Eric?

This is my transcription

Kara Amiko,
mi dankas vin frou via bela karto.
Mi ankorau al la lernego fror lerni la stenografion mi intencas gin lerni gis mi proves skribi 120 vortaj a la minute. mi vias al komerea lernego fror lerni la stenografion.
Mi ne provas paroli vian linguon. akceptu la kajajn de via amikins.


This is the Google Translate version

Dear Friend,
I thank you for your beautiful card.
I'm still going to learn how to learn the stenography I intend to learn from it as I can write 120 words a minute. My ways to Komera I learn how to learn the stenography.
I do not try to speak your language. accept the friends of your friends.


What is Komera?

I checked address on Google Earth, it seems to have been flattened at some time.

Re: Accrington Esperanto Society
 

Now I know where you got Edwin from