Records of The Girls’ Friendly Society

The archive consists of the records of The Girls’ Friendly Society, including minutes, reports, organisational files, volumes of memoranda, recipe books, and personal papers of members. There are printed materials and publications such as journals, magazines and books. The archive also includes objects, particularly photographs, badges and banners. The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) (1875-) was founded in 1875 by Mrs Mary Townsend (1841-1918). Townsend was concerned about unmarried girls who went from the countryside to work in large towns, often as servants or as factory workers. An associate member was to become very important to the GFS: Mrs Joyce, who became a pioneer of protected Emigration for girls and women. As an international organisation there were branches of GFS across the world. Researchers should consider material that may be held in local record offices in regions of particular interest.