
JOURNEY WITH US.
A research guide to ancestry, family history, and genealogy resources for Barbados.
Uncover with Ancestors of Paradise the untold stories of your Bajan ancestors!
”From Anegada to Virgin Gorda, tour the Caribbean in this gorgeous site packed with resources, historical photos and videos…”
101 Best Genealogy Websites of 2024
Family Tree Magazine
records.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through census records, court records, deeds, naturalization records, military records, ship passenger lists as well as birth, marriage, and death records.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Barbados National Archives | Department of Archives
The Barbados National Archives is a very useful source of information for persons conducting genealogical research and tracing their family tree. The Archives houses parish documents such as births, baptisms, marriages, deeds and wills. The collection also includes manuscripts, letters, reports, books, maps, charts and photographs. Some of these documents date back to the early settlement days of the 1600s.
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CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE LEGACIES OF BRITISH SLAVERY
At the core of the project is a database containing, first, the identity of all slave-owners in the British colonies at the time slavery ended and, second, all the estates in the British Caribbean colonies. As the two earlier phases of work unfolded, we amassed, analysed and incorporated information about the activities, affiliations and legacies of all the British slave-owners on the database, building this Encyclopedia of British Slave-Owners.
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ENDANGERED ARCHIVES PROGRAMME | Barbados
The Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) facilitates the digitisation of archives around the world that are in danger of destruction, neglect or physical deterioration. Thanks to generous funding from Arcadia, a charitable foundation that works to preserve cultural heritage and promote open access to knowledge, we have provided grants to almost 500 projects in over ninety countries worldwide, in more than a hundred languages and scripts.
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FAMILYSEARCH RESEARCH WIKI | Barbados
The FamilySearch Research Wiki is a free, online genealogical guide created and maintained by FamilySearch, a non-profit organization. It contains links to genealogy databases, websites, other resources, research strategies, and genealogical guidance to assist in the search for your ancestors. Articles included are locality pages for countries around the world and topic pages that include pertinent genealogy record types explaining how to use the record, what it contains, and how to find it.
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FORMER BRITISH COLONIAL DEPENDENCIES, SLAVE REGISTERS, 1813-1834 | ANCESTRY
In 1807 The Abolition of Slave Trade Act came into force. The act made the trade in slaves from Africa to the British colonies illegal. To combat illicit transportation following this act many of the British Colonies began keeping registers of black slaves who had been so-called “lawfully enslaved”. In 1819 the Office for the Registry of Colonial Slaves was established in London and copies of the slave registers kept by the colonies were sent to this office. Registration generally occurred once every three years. The registers continue through to 1834 when slavery was officially abolished.
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Government of Barbados | REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Created in 1890, the Records Section of the Registration Department maintains records (District Registers) relating to the births, deaths and marriages of Barbadians going back to the 19th century. Records for the years prior to the 20th century are archived, but 20th century records must be kept readily available to the Section so that staffers can verify information as required.
The Registration Department charges a fee to search their records.
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Manumissions and indentures, ca. 1780-1840, arranged by name of master or slaveholder | FamilySearch
British manumissions: manumissions for slaves from Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica; correspondence with David Barclay; manumissions for David Barclay's slaves Indentures: Masters names, A - Perrot
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SHIPINDEX.ORG: A VESSEL RESEARCH DATABASE
ShipIndex.org simplifies vessel research. Whether you’re a genealogist, a maritime historian, a researcher, or just curious, we can help you learn more about the ships that interest you. We tell you which maritime resources, such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, CD-ROMs, websites, and online databases mention the ships that interest you. We enhance these references by noting which ones include illustrations or crew and passenger lists, and where you can find or purchase the resource.Description goes here
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SlaveVoyages
The SlaveVoyages website is a collaborative digital initiative that compiles and makes publicly accessible records of the largest slave trades in history. Search these records to learn about the broad origins and forced relocations of more than 12 million African people who were sent across the Atlantic in slave ships, and hundreds of thousands more who were trafficked within the Americas. Explore where they were taken, the numerous rebellions that occurred, the horrific loss of life during the voyages, the identities and nationalities of the perpetrators, and much more.
collections.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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1722 Mayo Map of Barbados | List of Subscribers
The persons listed with the date 1722 Subscribed to the production of a map of Barbados by William MAYO whose surveys were conducted between 1717 & 1721 and which was published in 1722 and showed the position of 976 plantations with the name of the owner at the time of the survey. 611 copies of the map were subscribed to.
This list has been compiled by members of the Genealogical Computing Group of the NZ Society of Genealogists.
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ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | Barbados
Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.
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ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | CARIBBEAN
Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.
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Barbados Slave Compensations | Caribbean Family History
This database has been compiled from the returns of people who received compensation following the 1833 emancipation act which freed slaves in the British colonies in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Belize, Guyana, Mauritius and Cape Colony (South Africa).
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THE BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE | BARBADOS
The British Newspaper Archive is a partnership between the British Library and Findmypast to digitise the British Library's vast collection of newspapers.
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The Clarke Family of Barbados | Caribbean Family History
Over a period of about 25 years Mrs. Mona A. WATSON, nee FARMER, of Surrey, England collected every mention of the CLARKE name in Barbados. The result was roughly 600 hand-written pages of information: lists of names from baptisms and marriages, family trees and the odd photograph and newspaper cuttings. The index of names (4,880) is now on a database in the Barbados Museum, Shilstone Library.
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DIGITAL LIBRARY OF THE CARIBBEAN
The Digital Library of the Caribbean is a cooperative digital library for resources from and about the Caribbean & circum-Caribbean.
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THE EARLY CARIBBEAN DIGITAL ARCHIVE
The Early Caribbean Digital Archive is an open access collection of pre-twentieth-century Caribbean texts, maps, and images. Texts include travel narratives, novels, poetry, natural histories, and diaries that have not been brought together before as a single collection focused on the Caribbean. The materials in the archive are primarily authored and published by Europeans, but the ECDA aims to use digital tools to "remix" the archive and foreground the centrality and creativity of enslaved and free African, Afro-creole, and Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean world.
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HISTORY HUB | Barbados
History Hub is a research support community for everyone, including genealogists, historians, and citizen archivists.
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MYHERITAGE | Barbados ($)
The Barbados family history research page lists data collections relevant to Barbados.
Start your search here to find ancestors originating from Barbados and to research historical records pertaining to Barbados.
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The Quakers in Barbados | Caribbean Family History
This website is dedicated to all Caribbean Family Historians. The data has been collected over the past twenty years by a group of enthusiastic volunteers based around the world, all sharing Caribbean interests. The vision of this website is to share Caribbean family histories as a non-profit and non-invasive site.
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The West Indies in Records from Colonial Missionaries, 1704-1950 ($)
The West Indies in Records from Colonial Missionaries, 1704–1950 was curated in association with the Bodleian Library.
This collection contains records compiled by the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), a UK-based Anglican missionary organisation that operates globally. From the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, the USPG went by the name of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG).
This collection contains information on the West Indies from the perspective of missionaries from the SPG. The documents cover Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, and Trinidad.
CEMETERIES + MEMORIALS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through cemetery records, grave records, tombstone inscriptions, and funeral booklets.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Barbados Monumental Inscriptions | Caribbean Family History
Our database contains recorded inscriptions of tombstones and monumental plaques found on sites in Antigua, Barbados and a few other smaller islands across the Caribbean.
Barbados: Most of the data is up to and including the year 1950 unless the grave is obviously connected to an earlier one. -
Burials in Barbados | Caribbean Family History
This website is dedicated to all Caribbean Family Historians. The data has been collected over the past twenty years by a group of enthusiastic volunteers based around the world, all sharing Caribbean interests. The vision of this website is to share Caribbean family histories as a non-profit and non-invasive site.
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FIND A GRAVE | Barbados
Find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials or add photos, virtual flowers and a note to a loved one's memorial. Search or browse cemeteries and grave records for every-day and famous people from around the world.
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INTERMENT.NET | BARBADOS
This website contains 25+ million cemetery records, transcripts, and burial registers, from tens of thousands of cemeteries across the world, all contributed by genealogists, cemeteries, government agencies, and private organizations.
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INTERNATIONAL JEWISH CEMETERY PROJECT | Barbados
We have successfully collected information about thousands of Jewish cemetery sites all over the world along with information on the location of the cemetery, and how to obtain more information. Each Jewish cemetery or burial site listed in the project by town or city, country, and geographic region is based on current locality designation. Some listings include links to other websites with additional information such as burial lists or a name to contact by email or snail-mail.
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Nidhe Israel Cemetery
The Jewish cemetery is located next to the Nidhe Israel Synagogue 1654 and dates back to the same period. It was originally divided into four separate walled cemeteries, with an additional cemetery in Whites Alley on the block bounded by James and Swan Streets. The oldest tombstone is dated 1658. It currently has about 400 graves. The older grave ledgers are flat and made of marble or granite, as is customary in Separdic graveyards. There are also Ashkenazi graves from the more modern Jewish community of the 20th and 21st centuries, who still bury their members there.
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Quaker Burial Ground
Quakers began arriving in Barbados in the mid-1650’s. There were more than 1,000 Quakers in Barbados by 1680. It is noteworthy that prior to their large-scale migration to Pennsylvania, Barbados had more Quakers than any other English colony. A Quaker Burial Ground is demarcated on the 1806 survey plan of the Synagogue block area. Subsequently, an asphalt parking area was constructed over much of that burial ground. During site excavations in 2016, one Quaker tombstone was unearthed and preserved. It is located in proximity to the entrance of Shilstone Hall.
HISTORIC IMAGES + FILM.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through early photographs, studio portraits, historic landscape images and film.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Caribbean Heritage Photos | Barbados
The collection that Stadsmuseum Tilburg manages is divided into the Stadscollectie Tilburg, the photos Caribbean Heritage and the Zwijsen collection.
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CARPENTER COLLECTION | LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Frank and Frances Carpenter Collection consists of photographs produced and gathered by Frank G. Carpenter (1855-1924) and his daughter Frances (1890-1972) to illustrate his writings on travel and world geography. Carpenter's works helped popularize cultural anthropology and geography in the early years of the twentieth century.
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DeadFred Genealogy Photo Archive
Trace your roots for FREE with our searchable database containing thousands of identified and mystery photos for genealogy enthusiasts looking for long-lost family. Anyone who finds a photo of a direct ancestor that is owned by the archive will receive the photo for free.
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EARL LEAF GETTY IMAGES COLLECTION | BARBADOS
Earl Leaf was a well-established photojournalist who settled in LA in the 1940s.
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Granger Academic | Barbados
Granger Academic provides access to Granger's vast and vibrant archive of historical pictures. Many of these images are not available anywhere else, and for the first time we have made our collection available free of charge to teachers, librarians and students.
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HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library
HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library is an archive of images from the Jewish world. Jewish communities in the Caribbean featured include Aruba, Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Nevis, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Eustatius, St. Thomas, and Trinidad.
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HARRY ALVERSON FRANCK PHOTOGRAPHS | Barbados
Harry A. Franck (1881-1962) was a University of Michigan graduate (1903), avid traveler, and veteran of both world wars. He wrote thirty-three travel books describing Europe, South and Central America, China, Japan, and many other places. His most popular books include A Vagabond Journey Around the World (1910) and Zone Policeman 88 (1913). His books routinely featured photographs he took during his journeys: landscapes, street scenes, working people with the tools of their trade, portraits, and snapshots.
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HUNTLEY FILM ARCHIVES | Barbados
We are a team of dedicated film archivists who aim to help you produce the best archive content for your project.
Our collections are vast and varied - the sum of over fifty years of service to production and to film archiving. Our footage starts around 1895 and we cover the places and people of the 20th century comprehensively and globally. Our holdings are mostly documentary with the addition of behind the scenes Hollywood, Bollywood and a special collection of pioneer film makers. It is with great pride that our source material is still on celluloid for quality and that filmic texture. Our films are housed in purpose built film vaults and our staff expert in their field.
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Library of Congress Public Domain Image Collections | Barbados
The Library's first digitization project was called "American Memory." Launched in 1990, it initially planned to choose 160 million objects from its collection to make digitally available on laserdiscs and CDs that would be distributed to schools and libraries. After realizing that this plan would be too expensive and inefficient, and with the rise of the Internet, the Library decided to instead make digitized material available over the Internet. This project was made official in the National Digital Library Program (NDLP), created in October 1994. By 1999, the NDLP had succeeded in digitizing over 5 million objects. The Library has kept the "American Memory" name for its public domain website, which today contains 15 million digital objects, comprising over 7 petabytes.
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Mary Evans Picture Library
Mary Evans Picture Library licenses images for use in books, newspapers, exhibitions, websites and all manner of other media. Our images cover a broad range of topics, with the overarching themes of history and film. Our range, however, extends far beyond most people's perception of historical pictures, to include areas such as fashion, design, society and, uniquely, the paranormal.
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The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs | Barbados
The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs is a singular collection of more than 3,500 historical images from 34 countries including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. This visual record contains studio portraits, landscapes and tourist views and brings to life the changing economies, environments and communities that emerged post-emancipation. The Collection includes nearly every photographic format available during the years 1840 to 1940, including prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, lantern slides, albums, and stereographs.
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M/S MUSEET FOR SØFART (M/S MARITIME MUSEUM OF DENMARK) | IMAGE ARCHIVE
M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark tells the story of Denmark as one of the world's leading maritime nations in an evocative and dramatic way.
You can visit the digital image archive here where more than 60.000 photos are digitalized (in Danish).
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES UK PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION | Barbados
These images from the Colonial Office library photographic collection (CO 1069) and the Central Office of Information British Empire collection of photographs (INF 10) have been added to Flickr so that you can comment, tag and share them easily. The images are also being used to develop exciting national community outreach projects.
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New York Public Library STEREOGRAPH COLLECTION | Barbados
This digital compilation was developed in support of the NYPL website, "The African American Migration Experience," a sweeping 500-year historical narrative from the transatlantic slave trade to the Western migration, the colonization movement, the Great Migration, and the contemporary immigration of Caribbeans, Haitians, and sub-Saharan Africans.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN & CARIBBEAN IMAGES (KITLV) | UNIVERSITAIRE BIBLIOTHEKEN LEIDEN
The KITLV image collection holds photographs, prints and drawings that were acquired by The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV). Housed at Leiden University Libraries since 2014, as part of the KITLV library collection.
The biggest part of the image collection consists of photographs. Around 1890 the KITLV started collecting photographs for the purpose of documenting the image of the Dutch East and West Indies in all their facets, such as landscapes, town views, architecture, and life under indigenous and Dutch rule and so forth.
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VIVID-PIX
Easy-to-use software that helps you fix your pics and documents fast! Free to try - no credit card required.
HISTORIC MAPS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through historic maps.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Cumberbatch Sugar Planations on Barbados in 1825
Map showing locations of Cumberbatch owned sugar plantations on Barbados in 1825.
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David Rumsey Map Collection | BARBADOS
The David Rumsey Map Collection was started over 35 years ago and contains more than 200,000 maps. The collection focuses on rare 16th through 21st century maps of North and South America, as well as maps of the World, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. The collection includes atlases, globes, wall maps, school geographies, pocket maps, books of exploration, maritime charts, and a variety of cartographic materials including pocket, wall, children's, and manuscript maps. Items range in date from around 1550 to the present.
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OLD MAPS ONLINE | BARBADOS
Our mission is to give old maps a new life in the online world via the Old Maps Online search catalog that allows visitors to explore and discover the beauty of historical maps depicting a past geographical place of their interest.
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Sugar Planatations Map of Barbados by Francis Barrallier 1825
Sugar Planatations Map of Barbados by Francis Barrallier 1825. Showing the surnames of the owners of the major sugar plantations nine years before emancipation.
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Sugar Plantations Map of Barbados by Thomas Jefferys 1750
Sugar Plantations Map of Barbados by Thomas Jefferys 1750. Shows the surnames of the owners of the major sugar plantations across Barbados in 1750.
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through through libraries, museums, historical societies, and community cultural centers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Caribbean culture.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Barbados and the Carolinas Legacy Foundation
Attempting to promote the Carolina-Caribbean connection, a group called the Carolina Caribbean Association, led by Rhoda Green, successfully led the movement for the “twinning” ceremonies of Charleston and Speightstown in 1997.
Since the twinning in 1997, the Barbados & the Carolinas Legacy Foundation and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor have partnered in mission to raise awareness of the historic connection that binds South Carolina and Barbados. Through special events, programs and tourism promotion we hope bring awareness to the historic connection and encourage exploration of places tied to this history.
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Barbados House Montreal Association
Barbados House Montreal Association was founded in 1970. Our objectives surround organizing, promoting and encouraging the educational, economic, social and cultural activities of Barbadians living in Montreal. We are proud to be one of the oldest cultural organizations in Montréal.
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Barbados Museum & Historical Society
Located in Barbados' UNESCO World Heritage Property, the Barbados Museum’s galleries are housed in 19th century military prison buildings and reveal the island’s rich history, culture and heritage. The Museum’s Shilstone Memorial Library maintains rare West Indian documents, photographs and hard-to-find books that enable research of all types including family history research.
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Barbados National Trust
The Barbados National Trust is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental (NGO) body founded in 1961 to establish and preserve the natural and built heritage of Barbados and to awaken the public to a greater awareness of Barbados' historic and architectural riches. It is linked through aims, goals and structure to all the international National Trusts from England to Australia and it is believed the Barbados National Trust is the second oldest in the Caribbean.
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Bridgetown Synagogue Historic District
The Synagogue Historic District is located within the heart of Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Garrison in 2011. This Historic District covers an entire city block that features numerous heritage buildings that boast a rich history dating back to the mid-17th century.
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From Beijing to Bridgetown | The Stories of the Chinese Community in Barbados
The main concept of From Beijing to Bridgetown is to focus on the relationship between Barbados and China through community stories. While there are many secondary themes within the exhibition, the main highlight is focused on the background of looking at the workplace and the home, as these would be seen as the main areas of interaction between both communities. The intention is to recreate a space that can uniquely feel Chinese Caribbean then utilizing different symbols and items that would have represented home and work life for the Chinese communities in Barbados.
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Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area and it was established by the U.S. Congress to recognize the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in the coastal areas and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Visit us to learn more about Gullah Geechee people and a unique, world culture.
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INDO-CARIBBEAN CULTURAL CENTRE
Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre (ICC) is a non-profit, independent, educational organization recognized by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. ICC was established in 1999 with its axiom being “Celebrating unity in cultural diversity in the Caribbean.” It is dedicated to publishing two magazines every year – a Divali souvenir magazine, and an Indian Arrival Day commemorative magazine. ICC is primarily committed to the production of information about people, issues and events affecting Hindus and Indians in multi-ethnic Trinidad and the Caribbean.
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Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
Like many plantations in Barbados, Morgan Lewis inherited its name from its first owner – Morgan Lewis. The name first appears in Barbados’ historical record in 1674 and has been retained until the present. In 1721 Morgan Lewis is sold to the John Hannis who owns the plantation for a brief period until he sells it to the Gibbons family in 1736. Morgan Lewis plantation remained in the Gibbons family until the nineteenth century.
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Nidhe Israel Mikvah
The Mikvah, or ritual bath for purifying the body, was developed by the original Sephardic Jews that built the Nidhe Israel Synagogue in 1654. The bath is located near the Synagogue and dates back to the same period. It was unearthed during an archeological investigation in 2008 that was searching for the original Rabbi’s House.
Thousands of artifacts were unearthed during the excavation, including pieces of Staffordshire slipware, a shoe buckle, old smoker’s pipes, and a jeweler’s stone mold. Many have been identified, categorized and some are on display in the Nidhe Israel Museum. -
Nidhe Israel Museum
The Museum showcases interactive and multimedia displays that interprets the Jewish settlement and life on the island from a historic perspective. It was developed in 2008 in an existing historic building on site dating from around 1700. It consists of two storeys: the museum display on the lower level and the upper level housing an archaeological laboratory, audio-visual room, and small apartment. Many of the artifacts discovered during the 2008 excavation of the site are on display in the museum.
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West Indian Museum of Panama
The West Indian history is kept alive in part by the Afro-Caribbean Museum. The Museum is housed in what was formerly the Christian Mission Church, which was built in El Marañón, Calidonia, by Barbadian workers in the year 1910.
It is a wooden structure that reflects a Caribbean style of architecture, and there is only one main exhibit space that contains historic photographs and domestic items that portray the history and living conditions of the West Indian immigrants who began migrating to Panama for the construction of the railroad in 1850 and later arrived in greater numbers for the construction of the Panama Canal in the first two decades of the twentieth century.
bajan diaspora.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Diaspora Discoveries
With Diaspora Discoveries™, you’ll learn about Black people’s experiences from the past to the present, all while enjoying the beaches and leisurely excursions that the Caribbean has to offer.
Diaspora Discoveries is available to arrange packages for private groups with customizable itineraries. -
Migration Museum
The Migration Museum explores how the movement of people to and from the UK across the ages has made us who we are – as individuals and as nations.
GROUPs.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Barbados Genealogy Group
The Barbados Genealogy Group was developed and is managed by The Shilstone Memorial Library. This group is designed for like-minded individuals who are interested in Barbadian genealogy. The genealogy group provides advice on finding your forefathers, hosts bi-monthly meetings, occasional workshops, and provides a quarterly newsletter for their members.
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THE BARBADOS JEWISH COMMUNITY
The Barbados Jewish Community is a thriving inclusive Conservative congregation, worshipping in downtown Bridgetown, Barbados at the Historic Nidhe Israel Synagogue. We welcome members and visitors of all Jewish denominations and we encourage participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life, our faith and to the Nation of Israel.
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Genealogy.com | Forum Posts
Genealogy.com is a source for family history buffs to find genealogical research originally posted in GenForum and our most popular genealogy articles. Start a search or browse below to start digging into your family's past!
BOOKs.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through our collection of books for beginners, research guides, records guides, case studies, memoirs, family histories, oral histories, and photography collections.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
BLOGs.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through history, culture, and genealogy blogs.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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A CALLIN’ FROM COLÓN: PHOTOGRAPHS OF BLACK EMPLOYEES WORKING ON THE PANAMA CANAL | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
According to La Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (Panama Canal Authority) almost 57,000 workers were employed during the construction of the Panama Canal. Of that figure, the overwhelming number was people of African descent. Some of the employees were black Americans from the United States (see “The Panama Canal: The African American Experience” by Patrice C. Brown in Prologue, Summer 1997). The majority of personnel, however, were Afro-Caribbeans from the Antilles islands commonly referred to as the West Indies. The largest number of those workers—roughly 20,000—was from Barbados. Included among those seeking jobs in the Canal Zone were many West Indian women, some of whom followed their husbands, while others journeyed to Panama often for the same reasons as men—jobs and better pay, freedom, or adventure.
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ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND DEATHS IN THE CANAL ZONE, 1884–1999 | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
This is the second in a series of blogs that relates to Panama Canal records. This blog focuses on death records and how the records can be used to perform genealogical or labor history research concerning living and working conditions in the Canal Zone. The records date from 1884–1999 and relate to accidents, injuries and deaths that occurred in the Canal Zone. The records can assist in documenting a variety of events such as whether a relative worked for the Panama Canal. Genealogical information can be obtained from the records relating to an individual’s name, age, marital status, and country of origin. In addition, illnesses and causes of injuries listed in the records can indicate the living and working conditions in the Canal Zone.
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BajanThings
Welcome. BajanThings is about events that I have witnessed, or told by those who did, my travels and the life of some of the people who were born in, or had connections to Barbados and made their mark on the world stage. These verbal records need to be recorded for future generations, when we old folks are gone.
Simply put BajanThings is about Bajan things… It covers: Barbados history. Handed down Bajan stories. Barbadian folklore. Barbadian people. Bajans who made their mark on the world stage. Hiking in Barbados and Bajans hiking, trekking and exploring in foreign destinations and international travel.
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BARBADOS FAMILY HISTORY
A meeting place for Bajan Family historians.
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CARIBBEAN PORTRAIT COLLECTION
Inspired by the stories that my Grandmother told me about our ancestors in Trinidad, I started researching my family history in my youth. My research has resulted in me accumulating vast amounts of information not only on my immediate ancestors but also related families (something we refer to as “pumpkin vine family” in Trinidad). I have since found out that my ancestors were not only from Trinidad, but also Barbados and Guyana with other branches moving to Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent, Suriname and Venezuela. I have realised that although our forebears may have lived on small islands, they were certainly not isolated and often maintained connections with relatives many miles away. Within the Caribbean region we have a shared history and this has encouraged me to utilise this connectivity to create this resource.
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Caribbean Roots
Caribbean Roots aims to showcase two historical research interests: family history (in particular study of the history of the surname Grannum) and Caribbean genealogy, history and heritage.
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CREOLELINKS.COM
Welcome to CreoleLinks.com and Barbados genealogy, a template for researching Caribbean genealogy. You will find here tips for doing research in a slave society where names are not always what they see. It is a world of parallel families where siblings from different mothers carry the same first names and sometimes the legitimate branch becomes unrecognizable while the extraneous branch becomes prominent.
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Cumberbatch Family History | Barbados
Cumberbatch Family History tells the amazing stories, family histories and biographies of people called Cumberbatch from all around the world.
Around 1715 a Comberbach family from Bristol, England settled in Barbados. On 8 March 1753 King George II gave his Royal Assent for Abraham Carleton to change his name to Abraham Carleton Cumberbatch to inherit sugar plantations in Barbados. When slavery was abolished in 1834 many former slaves on Cumberbatch owned plantations took, or were given, the surname Cumberbatch. -
Gittens Family Genealogy
Genealogy of the Gittens and related families of Barbados 1640 to 1900.
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IN CELEBRATION OF 100 YEARS OF THE PANAMA CANAL: WEST INDIAN CANAL EMPLOYEE RECORDS | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
August 15, 2014, marked the 100th Anniversary of the completion of the Panama Canal. So, it would seem like an appropriate time to continue my dialogue about the records in the National Archives that deal with the diverse nationalities that were responsible for the Panama Canal’s construction and maintenance. Last year, in the “Panama Canal Employees: Service Record Cards (Part 1) and (Part 2)” blogs, I discussed the limited amount of information on West Indian Workers found in the Service Record Cards (NAID 7226556) series, even though they were the largest group of people employed by the Panama Canal.
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Jews of Barbados | Sephardic Genealogy
Family history of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish diaspora.
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Lowcountry Africana | The Barbados-Carolina Connection
Lowcountry Africana, sponsored by the Magnolia Plantation Foundation of Charleston, South Carolina, is a free website dedicated to African American genealogy and history in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, home to the rich Gullah-Geechee cultural heritage.
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PANAMA CANAL EMPLOYEES: SERVICE RECORD CARDS (PART 1) | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
In 2014, the Panama Canal will celebrate its 100th anniversary. There are many records in the custody of the National Archives that document the well known story of the creation and construction of this tremendous engineering feat. Also in our custody are records documenting the equally important but seldom highlighted story of individuals who worked to not only build the canal but who operated and maintained it.
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PANAMA CANAL EMPLOYEES: SERVICE RECORD CARDS (PART 2) | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
The first blog on Service Record Cards, 1904-1920 (National Archives Identifier 7226556) revealed the contributions service women made to the Panama Canal. The following selected cards document the service of employees from other countries. Many European, Asian, West Indian, and East Indian immigrants toiled on the Isthmus of Panama to ensure that the Canal was built.
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PART I: HOW TO USE PANAMA CANAL PERSONNEL RECORDS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES: MY GRANDFATHER WORKED ON THE PANAMA CANAL | NATIONAL ARCHIVES
There has been increased interest in the employees of the Panama Canal since I posted several blogs in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the construction of the canal. Many researchers are interested in tracing their ancestors who might have worked on the canal. To assist these researchers, I will be offering several “how to blogs” on records in NARA’s custody that concern Panama Canal employees. The blogs will discuss such records as personnel, marriage, birth, and death, where they are located, and how to search and request information from these records.
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We Sailed Great Ships | Dedicated to the Ghyll Ancestors of Donald L. Hinson, Jr.
The Ghylls migrated from Wales to the United States through the British West Indian Island of Barbados. No data on the families of Seymour or Seymour Fitgerald Ghyll (or Gill) could be found in the Barbados Archives. It's possible that family records were lost in a fire at my grandmother's church, St. Mathias, in Christ Church, Barbados. As a result, I'm seeking any information that may be available on the Ghylls from Wales. I'm also interested in learning more about African descendants from Wales or elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
PODCASTS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through on-topic podcast episodes and series.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
This is a podcast about Caribbean History and a good resource for individuals researching their family history.
SOCIAL MEDIA.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through social media discussion forums, networks, groups, and pages.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Alex Genealogy | Facebook
With the passion, dedication and love I have for Genealogy I created this page to show the world my research and the importance of genealogy!!!
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The Barbados-Cuba Genealogy Connection | Facebook
This group is open to people interested in tracing our ancestors and our history from Barbados to Cuba.
During our family research, we have discovered that many of our families have made journeys for a better life to other nations in the Caribbean, Europe and other places. Cuba has been one such place that has not been totally explored.
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Barbados DNA Registry | Facebook
Greetings fellow genealogy researchers! This group is for people who have taken a DNA test and have genealogical ties to the island of Barbados. We welcome anyone who is amenable to open collaboration for the best interest of everyone in the group. Our top priorities are finding the unheard voices of our ancestors, and discovering new relatives and family stories along the way.
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Barbados Genealogy | Facebook
A group of persons interested in tracing our ancestors. Often answers may come from persons sourcing a different line. We are a small island and there is a lot of shared history and ancestors. Please use this group to share and request information, post links and anything of family tree interest.
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Barbados Genealogy - all Parishes | Facebook
This group is strictly for sharing resources and assisting with education and research relating to BARBADOS ancestry and history.
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Barbados Genealogy and Social History | Facebook
A group to have fun researching your family trees and learning what was going on in Barbados at the time our ancestors were there.
I am a member of the National Genealogical Society based in the US. I believe that genealogy is a pathway to healing. We are tolerant of an encourage dialogue about Barbados records and history at this site. We research and share as a collective and we process that history as a collective, being careful to allow for all perspectives.
I am qualified to facilitate these discussions both as a lifelong student of history with an undergraduate degree in Communications and Masters in Public History, but also 25 years of experience as a family history and genealogy researcher.
Come leh we have sum fun!
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CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY | FACEBOOK
This group is for sharing resources and assisting with research relating to Caribbean ancestry and history.
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CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY RESEARCH COMMUNITY | FACEBOOK
Welcome to the Caribbean Research Community! This group was created to give people researching the region a place to ask questions, collaborate, and share research with one another.
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THE CUTLASS MAGAZINE
A progressive podcast and platform dedicated to the Indo-Caribbean community and other descendants of Indian indentureship from around the world.
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GENEALOGICAL TRANSLATIONS | FACEBOOK
Genealogical Translations was established to provide amateur family researchers a place to have their genealogical documents translated. We are a global volunteer group whose members help other members by offering free translation of their genealogical documents such as vital records, postcards, obituaries, and more, in languages including – Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and many others!
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Guyana-Barbados Genealogy | Facebook
This groups was created specifically for those Guyanese with Barbados roots.
After Emancipation in Barbados, Guyana planters heavily recruited laborers for Guyana. As a result, many Guyanese can trace their ancestry to Barbados.
This site is the place to come and learn how to make family connections and discoveries about your Barbados lineage.
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The Heritage Group - Barbados | Facebook
This group is for sharing photos of Barbados' built heritage, whether new, old or somehow relevant photos and other ephemera are welcome.
All in the hope of bringing an understanding of the risk of losing that very fabric of our identity that exists through every 'old house' from the humble chattel house, suburban villa or grand plantation great houses. They are an intrinsic part of the national identity and a treasure that must be passed on to the next generation of Barbadians. There is no stronger link to the past than the history that we can see, feel and touch.
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Panama-Barbados Ancestry | Facebook
Descendants of Barbadians and other West Indians who worked on the Panama Canal.
GENEALOGY VIDEOS + TUTORIALS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through tutorials, lectures, roundtable discussions, and genealogy webinars.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Barbados Genealogy Group - David O'Carroll
SHILSTONE’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The search for a true & exact history of the Gall family.
David first realised he had Bajan roots when helping his auntie apply for a UK passport in 1986. But it was not until he visited the Shilstone library that he discovered that the Gall family were 17th-century settlers on the island. -
Barbados Genealogy Group - Linda Ward-Bowen
The Contribution of The Ward Family of Barbados to the History and Development of Mount Gay Rum.
By presenter: Linda Ward-Bowen
Linda Ward-Bowen, one of The "St Lucy Wards" is the Granddaughter of Aubrey FitzOsbert Ward and has been a part of the famous Mount Gay Rum Empire from birth.
Linda, born in 1952 at Oxford Plantation St. Peter, next door to Mount Gay Sugar Estate, St. Lucy, both owned by Fairfield and Mount Gay Company Limited (a company set up by Grandfather A. F. Ward) is a Historian interested in every aspect of History. -
Barbados Genealogy Group - Angela Skeete
Journeys: Story of the Skeete Family, from Spring Hall, St. Lucy to far away. By Angela Skeete.
This branch of the Skeete Family originated in the north of the island in the vicinity of Spring Hall Plantation. Although we cannot trace their journey to Spring Hall, we followed them across the island and across the sea, as they joined the trek through emigration to the Caribbean and the USA. They present an interesting example of the development of the Barbadian / US family over a 200-year period from the 1820s to present. -
Genealogy Group - Using the Shilstone Memorial Library for Genealogical Research
Presentation delivered on the topic "Using the Shilstone Memorial Library for Genealogical Research," for the July 20, 2023, Genealogical Group session.
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Documenting our National History - The Journal of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society
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Barbadians and the African Connection
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Understanding the Barbados Vestries and their Importance as a Source for Genealogical Research
The vestry system was yet another British institution which was widely adopted within the British Caribbean and which formed the nucleus of our early form of representative government. It was particularly relevant to the needs of Barbados during the time of extreme poverty which existed before and during slavery and in the post-Emancipation period. This presentation explores the significance of the vestry minutes and records, which afford those in the area of genealogy research, a very credible alternative source.
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Connecting Oceans: Barbadians in Australia
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Barbados -Trinidad Connection
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Barbados Migration to the Guianas and Trinidad: 19th and 20th Century Narratives
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Barbadian Women Immigrants in Nigeria
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FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS | REPARATIONS ($)
The renewed global call for reparations is about more than money. Amanda travels to Barbados, London and Paris to find out how the movement is making connections to the climate crisis.
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INTRODUCTION TO AFRO-CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY RESOURCES WITH SHARON WILKINS
Learn how to trace your Afro-Caribbean ancestors from the West Indies, including Barbados, Jamaica, and other places. Presented by Sharon Wilkins, President of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society - New York.
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TRACING WEST INDIAN ANCESTORS: STRATEGIES & RESOURCES | LEGACY FAMILY TREE WEBINARS ($)
This session introduces a 5-Step Research Methodology to guide family history study and research in the West Indies. Resources available in the U.S. and the U.K. are identified and civil registration and church records are illustrated through exploration of a family line. Emphasis is on the British West Indian experience.
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Caribbean Genealogy: Challenges to Tracking Your West Indian Ancestors | Prince William Public Libraries
Please join RELIC as we welcome Phillip Nicholas for a presentation demonstrating the resources and techniques used to conduct family research of the West Indies, primarily the British West Indies.
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Researching Female Ancestors of the Caribbean | FamilySearch
In this video, Researching Female Ancestors of the Caribbean, Sharon Tomlin delves into ways we can research African-Caribbean female ancestry. Encouraging dialogue across the generations to understand the pioneers of the past and to discover the pioneers within their own family.
This presentation was part of RootsTech Connect 2021. -
Scotland’s relationship with the Atlantic slave trade | National Library of Scotland
In this talk Matthew Lee, a PhD student co-supervised by staff at the Library, examines Scotland’s relationship with the Atlantic slave trade through our collections, based on a recent cataloguing project.
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Art in the Spotlight: The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs | Art Gallery of Ontario
Join artist and Toronto Photo Laureate Michèle Pearson Clarke for a conversation with AGO Associate Curator of Photography Julie Crooks about The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs, a singular collection of more than 3,500 historical images from 34 countries including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. This visual record contains studio portraits, landscapes and tourist views and brings to life the changing economies, environments and communities that emerged post-emancipation. The Collection includes nearly every photographic format available during the years 1840 to 1940, including prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, lantern slides, albums, and stereographs.
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BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 84: Getting Started with Caribbean Genealogy
Learn tips, tricks, and more for researching ancestry in the Caribbean! Special guest, Anaisa Bayala.
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How to Trace Your Caribbean Ancestry | Know Your Caribbean
Learn how you can learn about your past for free through the National Archives in Kew, London.
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The West Indian Soldier | West India Committee
Learn about the British Army's service in the Caribbean, how their presence influenced life in the region and how West Indians have contributed to the British Army over the past 300 years. Made with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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Caribbean Ancestry Guide: Getting Started | Island Ancestors
Use the strategies and hints in this video to trace your Caribbean ancestors. Before you know it you'll be on location just like on 'Who Do You Think You Are.' West Indian family history research is challenging but NOT impossible.
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Caribbean Ancestry: Myths and Misconceptions | Island Ancestors
Myths and Misconceptions are holding you back from tracing your Caribbean Ancestors. Challenge your assumptions and take your research forward.
In this video, I dispel four common myths about West Indian family history. -
Tracing My Caribbean Ancestry - Reasons to do Genealogy! | Islands Ancestors
How I traced my Caribbean ancestors back to the 18th century! The process of working on my family tree has helped me grow tremendously. Now I want to help you trace your Caribbean ancestors as far back as you can!
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5 Tips to Find Missing British Caribbean Ancestors | Island Ancestors
In this video, I walk you through 5 Tips for searching for Caribbean ancestors that were involuntarily relocated or voluntarily moved between islands. This video focuses on British Caribbean islands.
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Emancipation & Apprenticeship System in British Caribbean - Dr Dexter Gabriel | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
In this episode I speak with Dr Dexter Gabriel about Emancipation & Apprenticeship System in British Caribbean.
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Carlston Walters - Caribbean Family History Group - Part 1 | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
In todays episode I will be speaking with Carlston Walters of Caribbean Family History. This group assist family history researchers with overcoming their obstacles in researching their roots.
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Carlston Walters - Caribbean Family History Group - Part II | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
In todays episode I will be speaking with Carlston Walters of Caribbean Family History. This group assist family history researchers with overcoming their obstacles in researching their roots.
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Exploring the Early Caribbean Digital Archive: A Treasure Trove for Family and Historical Research | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
In this episode, we delve into the rich world of the Early Caribbean Digital Archive (ECDA) with the insights of Professors Nicole Aljo and Elizabeth Dillon, alongside their dedicated team.
We explore the origins and objectives of the ECDA, a publicly accessible archive platform that houses a vast collection of pre-20th century Caribbean materials. Learn about their mission to decolonize and democratize knowledge by surfacing hidden narratives, such as those of enslaved individuals, embedded within historical texts.
The team also shares their experiences and methodologies in curating and digitizing these invaluable resources, offering a glimpse into some fascinating exhibits like Obeah practices and Jamaican Heirs. Discover how you can navigate the archive, contribute to ongoing projects, and even use these resources for family research and educational purposes.
Join us for a compelling discussion on the importance of preserving and accessing Caribbean history, both for understanding our past and informing our present. -
Caribbean Ancestry with Sandra Taitt: Why We Are So Different | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST
Welcome to the Dis A Fi Mi History podcast! In this episode, host Wendy Aris is joined by Sandra Taitt Eddy, a genealogist, family historian, and educator, to explore the rich history and heritage of Caribbean people. Sandra, the founder of the Baobab Genealogy Society, shares her passion for genealogy and the significance behind naming her group after the baobab tree, a symbol of strength and resilience.
Throughout the episode, Sandra discusses the mission and activities of the Baobab Genealogy Society, including workshops, seminars, and their annual Genealogy Emancipation Day event. She emphasizes the importance of oral histories in genealogical research, especially within the African diaspora communities, and provides valuable advice for those starting their journey in tracing family history. -
Mischief in the Archives | Bodleian Libraries
Peter Brathwaite talks about his research at the Bodleian Libraries. He has been tracing his family history using manuscripts in the Bodleian Libraries, including letters relating to the management of the Codrington Estates, where his ancestors lived.
He is the author of a display at the Weston Library in Oxford (27 January – 7 April 2024) entitled Mischief in the Archive, which explores a personal journey to uncover family history, challenge preconceived narratives, and restore dignity to those the archives have long muted.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through collaboration with a professional genealogist.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
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Ancestor Seekers
Ancestor Seekers hosts the premier genealogy research trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. The company’s roots trace back to England, where Keith and Carol Spillar founded British Ancestors, offering expert genealogical services.
However, upon encountering the wealth of resources at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City they redirected their efforts to establish Ancestor Seekers and introduce the Dream Genealogy Vacation. This unique experience offers guests a week-long immersion in the world’s largest genealogical library, The FamilySearch Library, where they access unparalleled resources as well as receive exclusive instruction and guidance from professional genealogists.
Since its inaugural research week in February 2005, Ancestor Seekers has proudly welcomed genealogy enthusiasts for nearly two decades.
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AncestryProGenealogists®
The AncestryProGenealogists® team includes expert genealogists and family history specialists with extensive research experience—but the heart of the journey is you.
Watch your family history come to life as our experts solve family mysteries, break down brick walls, resolve adoption riddles, dig into your DNA, and discover more about who you are and where you came from. -
DESCUBRE TU HISTORIA
Helping descendants from the Caribbean, Central, South and North American former Spanish colonies start the journey of healing and empowerment through the knowledge of their Family History.
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Legacy Tree Genealogists
Are you looking for details about your Caribbean ancestry? Do you need help getting started or have you hit a brick wall?
Caribbean genealogy can be challenging, and the professional genealogists at Legacy Tree Genealogists can help with your research needs.
Ancestors of Paradise visitors save on select genealogy research projects. -
Sandra Taitt-Eaddy
Independent researcher with expertise in Caribbean and African American Genealogy. Founder of Non-Profit, Baobab Genealogy Society: workshops, conferences, lectures. Offering research services to the Bajan community to facilitate connections with colonial ancestors and English-speaking Bajans in Connecticut.
caribbean family ties.
Uncover the rich lives of your Bajan ancestors through Caribbean neighbors with shared histories and genealogies.
The following resources may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of Ancestors of Paradise as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!
SUPPORT ANCESTORS OF PARADISE.
We appreciate the love!
Your generous support allows Ancestors of Paradise to continue to grow as a leading research resource for Caribbean genealogy.