The Gypsy LoreSociety was founded in Great Britain in 1888 to unite persons interested in the history and lore of Gypsies and rovers and to establish closer contacts among scholars studying aspects of such cultures.
History
was one of its founders in 1888 and he worked with Francis Hindes Groome until 1892 to produce its quarterly journal. From 1892, the organisation was dormant until its revival in 1907, when MacRitchie became its president. Another early member of the society was the explorer Sir Richard Burton, who wrote from Trieste in 1888: The Society had ceased to function during World War I. Robert Andrew Scott Macfie had set it up again round 1906 and John Sampson was its president of 1915. The Romani scholar Dora Esther Yates supported the society's revival in 1922 and she became its de factosecretary although this did not happen formally until 1932. Since 1989 it has been headquartered in the United States. Its goals include promotion of the study of Roma, Gypsies and Travelers. Gypsy Lore Society publications include journal ROMANI STUDIES continuing Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society and Newsletter of the Gypsy Lore Society. The biannual journal, Romani Studies, concerned with disseminating accurate information aimed at increasing understanding of these cultures in their diverse forms. The Journal of the Gypsy Lore Societyappeared in four series, starting in July 1888. The Society's archives are held at the University of Liverpool. Among the Gypsy and Traveler cultures represented include those traditionally known as Roma, Sinti, Calé, Romnichels, Ludar, Irish Travellers, Scottish Travellers and others. The Society also sponsors programs and conferences. The North American chapter of the Society established the Victor Weybright Archives of Gypsy Studies in 1978, specializing in recent scholarly work on Gypsy, Traveler and related studies. This research collection is now housed at the University of Michigan. The president of the Gypsy Lore Society in 2012 was Elena Marushiakova.
