ABSTRACT

Makers of jews-harps in the seventeenth century are found in both Scotland and England. It would appear that by the late seventeenth century jews-harp manufacture had transferred to the West Midlands. Three families seem to have been particularly involved up to the nineteenth century: Sidaway, Barnsley and Troman. Originally just one of a number of families identified as West Midland jews-harp makers, a recent discovery has made the contribution of the Sidaway family to the history of the manufacture of the instrument highly significant. The creation of the jews-harp as a mass-produced manufactured item made specifically to exploit a developing world market began with the establishing of a factory in Netherton, near Dudley, by John Barnsley. The Barnsley family appear to have had challenging times throughout the period they were involved in the industry. Naming the maker is problematic as there are not many named makers from Ireland working in America who fit the description of the interviewee.