JOURNEY WITH US.

A research guide to ancestry, family history, and genealogy resources for Trinidad and Tobago.

Uncover with Ancestors of Paradise the untold stories of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian ancestors!

”From Anegada to Virgin Gorda, tour the Caribbean in this gorgeous site packed with resources, historical photos and videos…”

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records.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • 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.

  • FAMILYSEARCH RESEARCH WIKI | TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    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.

  • 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.

  • Hojas de Servicios Militares de América : provincia de Venezuela, 1787-1800 | FamilySearch

    La provincia de Venezuela en la era colonial comprendía Isla Margarita y la isla de Trinidad.

    Un índice alfabético por apellidos se ha publicado como Catálogo XXII del Archivo de Simancas, Secretaría de Guerra (Siglo XVIII), Hojas de Servicios de América (en la FHL es un libro con el número de clasificación EUROPE 946 M23e).

    Spaniards in the Province of Venezuela (Viceroyalty of New Granada); military service records, 1787-1800. For a surname index to these records, refer to Catálogo XXII del Achivo de Simancas, Secretaría de Guerra (Siglo XVIII), Hojas de Servicios de América (Family History Library book call no. EUROPE 946 M23e).

  • 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

  • National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago

    Welcome to the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago (NATT), the custodian of our country's documentary heritage. The National Archives is responsible for preserving and protecting Trinidad and Tobago's memory and maintaining the democratic rights of citizens to have access to the records of the government. In order to fulfil our mandate we acquire, process, manage, and make accessible to citizens and researchers quality records documenting the broad spectrum of activities undertaken throughout the history of Trinidad and Tobago. These include government records, immigration records, photographs, audio visual material, maps and more. Many of these records are unique and can only be found at the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago.

  • 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.

  • 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 Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | CARIBBEAN

    Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.

  • ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | Trinidad and Tobago

    Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.

  • THE BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE | Trinidad and Tobago

    The British Newspaper Archive is a partnership between the British Library and Findmypast to digitise the British Library's vast collection of newspapers.

  • Colonization and Emigration | IN MOTION: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MIGRATION EXPERIENCE

    In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience presents a new interpretation of African-American history, one that focuses on the self-motivated activities of peoples of African descent to remake themselves and their worlds. Of the thirteen defining migrations that formed and transformed African America, only the transatlantic slave trade and the domestic slave trades were coerced, the eleven others were voluntary movements of resourceful and creative men and women, risk-takers in an exploitative and hostile environment. Their survival skills, efficient networks, and dynamic culture enabled them to thrive and spread, and to be at the very core of the settlement and development of the Americas. Their hopeful journeys changed not only their world and the fabric of the African Diaspora but also the Western Hemisphere.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • HISTORY HUB | Trinidad and Tobago

    History Hub is a research support community for everyone, including genealogists, historians, and citizen archivists.

  • MYHERITAGE | Trinidad and Tobago ($)

    The Trinidad and Tobago family history research page lists data collections relevant to Trinidad and Tobago.

    Start your search here to find ancestors originating from Trinidad and Tobago and to research historical records pertaining to Trinidad and Tobago.

Ancestry US

Ancestry US

cemeteries + memorials.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • FIND A GRAVE | TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    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.

  • INTERNATIONAL JEWISH CEMETERY PROJECT | Trinidad and Tobago

    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.

historic images + film.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • 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.

  • HARRY ALVERSON FRANCK PHOTOGRAPHS | Trinidad

    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.

  • HUNTLEY FILM ARCHIVES | Trinidad

    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.

  • Kala Pani Archives

    Our mission is to shed light on the Indian indenture system in the Caribbean, honouring the experiences and resilience of our Indian ancestors.

    We welcome you to join us on a personal journey rooted in uncovering the forgotten archives of this period.

    In the process, we will be rewriting the archaic colonial narratives that have traditionally accompanied the historical artefacts of this time, from the critical perspective of Indian indenture descendants.

  • The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs | TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    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.

  • NATIONAAL ARCHIEF PHOTO COLLECTION | Trinidad

    The National Archives manages 15 million photos. You can view more than one million photos online. The photo collection provides an overview of events from the period between 1865 and 1990.

  • THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES UK PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION | Trinidad and Tobago

    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.

  • New York Public Library STEREOGRAPH COLLECTION | Trinidad

    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.

  • 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 Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • David Rumsey Map Collection | TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    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.

  • OLD MAPS ONLINE | TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

    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.

cultural institutions.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian ancestors 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!

  • ANGELO BISSESSARSINGH HERITAGE HOUSE

    We aim to provide a space for meaningful reflection and education, where visitors can engage with the stories, artefacts, and landmarks shaping this community and its broader context. Through our exhibits, programming, and outreach efforts, we strive to foster a deeper understanding of the diverse peoples, cultures, and events that have contributed to the vibrant tapestry of our shared history.

    Formerly referred to as the "Meyler House", this house is protected under the National Trust Act of Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Heritage Library Division

    The Heritage Library Division (HLD) is a reference library that encapsulates the culture of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. At HLD we are committed to acquiring, preserving and presenting our diverse cultural heritage.

  • 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.

  • The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago

    The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago focuses on improving communities through the safeguarding of the built, cultural and natural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Tobago Heritage Conservation Society

    This is a NPO registered in Trinidad and Tobago from July 2020 with the purpose of preserving of our archaeological sites and built assets in Tobago.

  • 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.

books.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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 Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • 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.

PODCASTS.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST

    This is a podcast about Caribbean History and a good resource for individuals researching their family history.

  • ISLAND ARCHIVES

    The Island Archives Podcast is an audio series created to honor the Caribbean heroes/sheroes of the past and present and highlight their immeasurable contributions in different areas/disciplines. We feature their achievements by retelling their stories in an interesting, engaging, and insightful way by blending humor, history and highlights.

social media.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago | Facebook

    This group was established in February 2010 when in a fit of boredom, I decided to share online , some of the photos of my beloved homeland on Facebook. Since then, what began as a whim has grown into a platform where many great and colourful individuals have kindly come on board to share their pearls of wisdom, humor and experience.

  • CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY | FACEBOOK

    This group is for sharing resources and assisting with research relating to Caribbean ancestry and history.

  • 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.

  • The Cutlass Magazine

    A progressive podcast and platform dedicated to the Indo-Caribbean community and other descendants of Indian indentureship from around the world.

  • 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!

  • Trinidad and Tobago Genealogy | Facebook

    A group created to share Trinidad and Tobago genealogy information and connections.

GENEALOGY VIDEOS + TUTORIALS.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? | NAOMIE HARRIS

    Actor Naomie Harris’s dramatic discoveries in this episode inspire her to anger, sadness and tears of joy. On a journey from Trinidad to Grenada to Jamaica, Naomie exposes her four-times-great grandfather’s involvement in the exploitation of so-called 'liberated Africans' shortly after the abolition of slavery, is delighted to discover the identify of her African five-times-great grandmother, and, in nearer generations, uncovers a family story of tragic poverty in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston.

  • Who Do You Think You Are? | Noel Clarke

    Actor and film-maker Noel Clarke grew up in west London with his single-parent mum, and this left one side of his family tree a mystery to him.

    His search starts in Trinidad, where both his parents are from, but soon takes him on a trail to other islands, ending on one of the smallest and most beautiful in the Caribbean. There he learns of an extraordinary great-great-great-great-grandfather called Glasgow Bedeau, who was born into slavery. The music Glasgow's enslaved parents and grandparents passed down reveals the part of Africa from which Noel's ancestors were taken.

hire a professional genealogist.

Uncover the rich lives of your Trinidadian and Tobagonian 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

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Ancestry US

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