AN UPCOMING poetry collection will reveal the migrants in Hull's hidden past.
More than two million people came through the city between 1830 and 1914 but there is little evidence of their passing left today.
Now, poet Rob Bell plans to change that with a volume called Reaching For The Land Of Green Ginger, to be published by Wrecking Ball Press.
Hull was one the major stop-offs for families crossing the Atlantic and Mr Bell estimates more than 50 million people in the US will have a relative who passed through.
He said: "This is a big story but there is very little evidence of it anywhere in Hull.
"There is a statue at Humber Quays – which faces the wrong way.
"We have the unique emigration building at Paragon Station that is now the Tiger's Lair and the Harry Lazarus hotel, where many of these migrants stayed, has a plaque on the wall near the marketplace."
More than 37 million people emigrated from Europe in the 75 years up to the First World War.
Up to 25 per cent of Scandinavians were looking for opportunities elsewhere.
Millions of Jews fled pogroms in the East for security and opportunity in the Americas, South Africa and Australasia.
More than 40 per cent of the passengers on the Titanic moved through Hull's docks.
Mr Bell has already written a book of poetry dealing with a similar period in history.
Sharp Street, released last year, followed the Newland Avenue community in the First World War.
As with Sharp Street, he will be collaborating with East Yorkshire musicians the Hillbilly Troupe to stage a performance combining poetry, music, songs and images from the era.
The band's Dave Gawthorpe said: "When we walked out to play Sharp Street, 400 people were there and the atmosphere was electric.
"This takes everyone on a rollercoaster ride through our own history.
"This is a second massive story that deserves to be told and we are delighted to be involved".
Mr Bell's migrant volume will be celebrated with a performance on Sunday, June 23.
It will kick off at Fruit in Humber Street and move on to Paragon Station.
The theme will be "arrivals and departures".
A third performance will follow people who stayed in Hull.
Mr Bell has written the poetry and readings being used and readers will include published poets Graham Hamilton and Norah Hanson.
Music will be performed by the Hillbilly Troupe, Jody McKenna and Hase Waits.
New York-based Hull emigrant Derek O'Connor and the Hillbilly Troupe have also been putting some of the poems to music, and a recording will follow.
But that is not the end of Mr Bell's plans.
He said: "We have a Fish Trail and a Larkin Trail but no reference to the millions who passed through the port.
We need to do more. What about a virtual journey through the port using the latest digital technologies?
"This would put Hull firmly on the global map.
"We are working on it right now and would like to work with others to make this happen."
Details on tickets and timings for the upcoming performance will be published in the Mail.
