The Sephardic Poor of Amsterdam and London

The popular conception is that Sephardim in Amsterdam and London were rich. Sadly this is not the case. In this talk, Ton Tielen discusses impoverished Sephardim - maybe half the community - and how the community leaders managed the situation. There is a wealth of records in the archives dealing with the Sephardic poor, including the support they received from the congregations, including at festivals, and how they were managed and disciplined.
One solution was to put poor people on a boat, and send them somewhere else! This is how many of our ancestors reached the places they later called home. Ton has been studying the 'Despacho' records from Amsterdam and London.
Sephardic Genealogical Society: www.sephardic.world/
#Amsterdam #JewishAmsterdam #genealogy