By Amanda Williams PUBLISHED: 13:05 EST, 13 February 2013 | UPDATED: 13:07 EST, 13 February 2013 Many came here with little more than the clothes on their back and a tragic story to tell. - all were seeking a new life. Now archived police files have revealed exactly how the immigrants who settled in the UK between 1850 and 1960 were viewed by the authorities - including some of the colourful language officers used to describe them. Archivists have spent seven months cataloguing almost 3,000 'alien registration cards' in Leeds, West Yorkshire, which are now open to the public.
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Archivists have spent months cataloguing 3,000 'alien registration cards' from between 1850- 1960 registered with police in Leeds, West Yorkshire
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The files all give a moving insight into the persecution those seeking a better life in England had escaped
They were expected to 'demonstrate a good character and knowledge of @placeholder', a requirement fueled by the fear that spies were settling in the country.