Caribbean Genealogy Archives, Registry offices

Posted on by Sylvia Wong Lewis
My mother, uncle, cousin, grandmother, aunt in Trinidad

 

Researching Caribbean family history can be a challenge. Most of our early history chapters are steeped in slavery and indentured servitude. Searching by surname is not always the best way to learn our history. We must look at surnames for clues about the enslaving family and possible locations where our ancestors lived. Then, look for their property records, wills and church records etc. Caribbean genealogy takes a lot of patience.

Many of my ancestors are a mixture of many different people: African, Chinese, Indian, Latino. According the UK National Archives: “More than 1.6 million people were transported between African and the Caribbean between 1640-1807. Although the British slave trade from Africa was abolished in 1807, emancipation of the people did not occur until August 1834.”

Some of my ancestors were Chinese and arrived in the Caribbean via South America after African slavery ended. They were sometimes called Coolies  (a derogatory word similar to the N-word!) and brought in as indentured servants, like many of workers from India, Europe and other places. Although these workers had contracts, they were treated like slaves, according to oral histories and other source material. But, it is possible to review worker contracts to learn their original names, and other information. The key is to ask a lot of questions and listen to the stories told by the oldest people from your island.

I found my grandmother’s papers at the National Archives Chinese Exclusionary Index on Ancestry.com. Here is an excerpt:

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. New York Chinese Exclusion Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1998. Original data: United States, National Archives and Records Administration. Index to ‘Chinese Exclusion’ Case Files of the New York District Office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, ca. 1882-1960. New York, USA. National Archives and Records Administration–Northeast Region (New York), [April 1998].

Description:
Index of New York INS Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files 1882-1960.

But, many records about our families are still in files in the islands and the UK National Archives.  Some Caribbean islands have very good records, some not in such good shape. Here is an excerpt from a list of resources, developed by Guy Grannum, a noted Barbados ancestry expert:

The National Archives (UK), Kew, Surrey TW9 4DU. Tel: 020 8876 3444, email via webform

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – the website has online indexes to Barbadian baptisms and marriages, locations of their family history centers, and their catalogue of their microfilms of archive and library material. Its Hyde Park Family History Center, 64/68 Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, tel: 0207 589 8561, has many Caribbean resources on-site, including registers of births, marriages and deaths for Barbados and Jamaica.

Caribbean archives, libraries and registry offices:

Most archives, libraries and registry offices do not have websites and it has been difficult obtaining these addresses. Where I have found websites I have obtained contact details from these, or used other official and government sites. It is possible that some of these contact details may have changed. My experience is that some services are excellent and others tardy but on the whole it can take some time to get a reply – be patient.

Anguilla

  • Anguilla Library Service, The Valley, Anguilla, BWI, tel: (264) 497-2441
  • Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Judicial Department, The Valley, Anguilla, BWI, tel: (264) 497-2377

 

Antigua

  • The National Archives, Rappaport Centre, Victoria Park, St John’s Antigua, West Indies, tel: (268) 462-3946, email: archives@candw.ag
  • The Registrar General’s Office, High Court, High Street, St John’s Antigua, West Indies, tel: (268) 462-3929
  • Antigua and Barbuda Public Library, Market St, St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, www.thepubliclibrary.edu.ag/, tel: (268) 462-4959, email: publib@antigua.gov.ag

 

Bahamas

  • Department of Archives, PO Box SS-6341, Nassau, Bahamas www.bahamasnationalarchives.bs, tel: (242) 393-2175, email: archives@batelnet.bs
  • Registrar General’s Office, PO Box N532, Nassau, Bahamas, tel: (242) 322-3316
  • Nassau Public Library and Museum, Shirley St, Nassau, Bahamas, tel (242) 322-4907

 

Barbados

  • Department of Archives, Lazaretto Building, Black Rock, St Michael, Barbados, tel: (246) 425-1380, email: bda@caribsurf.com
  • Registration Department, Supreme Court of Barbados, Law Courts, Colleridge St, Bridgetown, Barbados, www.lawcourts.gov.bb/Recordbranch.html, tel: (246) 426-3461
  • National Library Service, Public Services Division, Coleridge St, Bridgetown, Barbados, tel: (246) 426-6081, email: natlib@caribsurf.com

 

Belize

  • Belize Archives Department, 26/28 Unity Boulevard, Belmopan, Belize, tel: (501) 822 2247, email: archives@btl.net
  • Registrar General, Supreme Court, Belize City, Belize, tel: (501) 227 7377
  • National Library Service, Bliss Institute, PO Box 287, Belize City, Belize, www.nlsbze.bz/, tel: (501) 223 – 4248, email: nls@btl.net

 

Bermuda

  • Bermuda National Archives, Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament St, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda, tel: (441) 295-5151
  • Registry General, Ministry of Labor and Home Affairs, Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament St, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda, tel: (441) 297-7739
  • Bermuda National Library, 13 Queen St, Par-la-Ville, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda, tel: (441) 295-3104

 

British Virgin Islands

  • Library Services Department, Flemming St, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, tel: (284) 494-3428
  • Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Government of the British Virgin Islands, Central Administration Complex, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, tel: (284) 494-3492, email: registrar@bvigovernment.org

 

Cayman Islands

  • Cayman Islands National Archive, Government Administration Building, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. tel: (345) 949 9809, email: cina@gov.ky
  • Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, General Registry Department, Tower Building, Grand Cayman. tel: (345) 244 3404, email: bdm@gov.ky
  • Public Library, Edward St, George Town, Grand Cayman, tel: (345) 949-5159

 

Dominica

  • National Documentation Centre and Public Library of Dominica, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, tel: (767) 448-2401, email: library@curdom.dm
  • General Registrar, Bay Front, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, tel: (767) 448-2401

 

Grenada

  • Public Library/National Archives, 2 Carenage, St George’s, Grenada, tel: (473) 440-2506
  • Registrar General, Church St, St George’s, Grenada, tel: (473) 440-2030

 

Guyana

  • National Archives of Guyana, 28 Main Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana, tel: (592) 227 7687, email: narchivesguyana@yahoo.com
  • General Register Office, GPO Building, Robb Street, Georgetown, Guyana, tel: (592) 225-7561
  • National Library, 76/77 Church & Main Streets, Georgetown, Guyana, www.natlib.gov.gy, tel: (592) 227-4053, email: natlib@sdnp.org.gy

 

Jamaica

  • Jamaica Archives and Records Department, 59 Church St, Kingston, Jamaica, www.jard.gov.jm, tel: 876 922-8830, email: archivist@jard.gov.jm
  • The Registrar General, Vital Records Information, Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, Jamaica, www.rgd.gov.jm, tel: (876) 984-3041, e-mail: information@rgd.gov.jm
  • National Library of Jamaica, 12 East St, Kingston, Jamaica, www.nlj.org.jm, teL; (876) 967-1526, email: nljresearch@cwjamaica.com

 

Montserrat

  • Montserrat Public Library, Government Headquarters, BBC Building, Brades, Montserrat, tel: (664) 491-4706, email: publiclibrary@candw.ag
  • Registrar General, Department of Administration, Government Headquarters, Brades, Montserrat, tel: (664) (664) 491-2129

 

St Kitts and Nevis

  • National Archives, Government Headquarters, Church St, Box 186, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies, www.nationalarchives.gov.kn, tel: (869) 465-2521, email: nationalarchives@gov.kn
  • Nevis Archives and Library, Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, Nelson Museum, Bellevue, Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies, www.nevis-nhcs.org/library&archive.html, tel: (869) 469-0408, email: gdore@nevis-nhcs.org
  • Registrar General, PO Box 236, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies, tel: (869) 465-5251

 

St Lucia

  • St Lucia National Archives, PO Box 3060, Clarke St, Vigie, Castries, St Lucia, tel: (758) 452-1654, email: stlunatarch_mt@candw.lc
  • Registrar of Civil Status, Peynier Street, Castries, St Lucia, tel: (758) 452-1257 Central Library of St Lucia, Bourbon St, Castries, St Lucia, www.education.gov.lc/lib/lib.htm

 

St Vincent and the Grenadines

  • National Archives, Cotton Ginnery Compound Frenches, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, tel: (784) 456-1689, e-mail: archives@caribsurf.com
  • Registrar General, Government Buildings, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, tel: (784) 457-1424
  • Department of Libraries Archives and Documentation Services, Lower Middle Street, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, tel: (784) 457-1111, email: publiclibrary@caribsurf.com

 

Trinidad and Tobago

  • National Archives, PO Box 763, 105 St Vincent St, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, tel: (868) 625-2689, email: natt@tstt.net.tt
  • Registrar General’s Office, Registration House, 72-74 South Quay, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, www.legalaffairs.gov.tt/registrar/Default.htm, tel: (868) 624-1660
  • Tobago Registrar General’s Office, Jerningham Street, Scarborough, Tobago, tel: (868) 639-3210
  • National Library and Information System Authority, 105 Abercromby St, Port of Spain, Trinidad, www.nalis.gov.tt

 

Turks and Caicos Islands

  • Turks and Caicos National Museum, Guinep House, Front Street, PO Box 188, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, British West Indies, www.tcmuseum.org/ tel: (649) 946-2160, e-mail: use webform
  • The Registrar’s General Office, Front Street, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies, tel: (649) 946-2800

Source: Guy Grannum has been researching his own Barbadian ancestry for many years, and in doing so has gained first-hand knowledge of how to research West Indian ancestry. He works at the UK National Archives and is the author of a number of genealogical guides and article.

Have you searched at any of the Caribbean island archives listed above? Please share your experience?

New Orleans Odyssey

Posted on by Sylvia Wong Lewis

My New Orleans odyssey is still in my mind.

Aunt Bertha’s home in Garden District, New Orleans, still there! Front door was moved.

I was the first person in my immediate family to visit New Orleans since the 1920s when my paternal grandmother Madame Tempy Stuart-Smith and her children escaped the Deep South. Like so many African-American families, they joined the ranks of America’s greatest Migration to the North.  I have addresses from old letters left by my ancestors that provide clues to many family mysteries.

Aunt Bertha’s home is still there in Garden District of New Orleans. Original letter from 1920s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stayed in the French Quarter, a very lively and walkable district.

Bourbon Street, New Orleans, French Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ate, and we walked. We ate and walked some more. Go on a diet before coming to New Orleans! The food there is soooo good!

Great art too. Art, art everywhere–especially architecture!

Oh, did I mention that we were there for our anniversary celebration too? I do believe that New Orleans is one of America’s most romantic cities.

Anniversary dessert at Bayona, Nola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dooky Chase restaurant is famous for soul food and its art gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very spiritual place, New Orleans is a magical place where many religions mix to create interesting multicultural blends.

Stay tuned for more on visiting New Orleans.

Voodoo Vibe on Bourbon Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate June

Posted on by Sylvia Wong Lewis

I will celebrate June this year by marking my wedding anniversary in New Orleans and Ocean Springs, Mississippi, the birthplace place of my paternal African-American, Native, Creole and Scottish ancestors.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

My documentary From Shanghai to Harlem, traces my family’s migration and immigration to Harlem. But, researching the film has taken over my life.  I became obsessed with my mother’s Chinese Caribbean family stories via Trinidad, Guyana, Venezuela, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Genie bloggers (genealogy) had warned me about obsessions.  Once you discover a valuable piece of information, you go crazy looking for more. I found my mother’s grandmother in Cedrus, Trinidad.  She had arrived from Venezuela, Orinoco River region. That caused me to look for her 14 siblings throughout South America.

Regretfully, all of that maternal searching and detective work led me to neglect my Southern roots.  So, in honor of Father’ Day, I look forward to learning more about my paternal ancestors beginning this June.

My father, Alfred Burton Smith, was a baker and a musician—piano and violin. I always wondered about our music, dance and entertainment genes. I was trained in piano, viola and dance too. Is there a music or a dance gene? Science says No! But how do you explain family traits? Is there something in the New Orleans water? The NOLA Mardi Gras Indians and Caribbean Carnival have similarities that make me happy. So, I am always digging for ancestral cultural celebrations.

My paternal grandmother Madame Tempy (Stuart) Smith was a piano teacher in Ocean Spring and New Orleans. My uncles and aunts were all classically trained in music and dance. Was there one ancestor who started it all?

Food ways fascinate me too. I am eager to explore food and culture connections. My father was a baker by trade. That explains why I’m so picky about pies. But, why did we eat red beans and rice on Mondays?  Where did gumbo come from?  What about the herbs and seasonings and cooking techniques unique to this region?  Maybe I should go on a diet before my trip.

Then, there are other June themes that intrigue me: Juneteenth! How did the slave masters get away with that one? And of course, recent graduation ceremonies and hurricanes are part of my June experiences.

Finally, professionally, I am excited about attending the Blogging While Brown Conference at Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Black Culture, June 21-22. I look forward to meeting bloggers both new and experienced, and improving other social media skills including twitter, instagram, tumblr, pinterest and more.

How will you celebrate June?

Aunt Geraldine, publicity pic from Hollywood film.

Harlem Beat Pops-up Downtown

Posted on by Sylvia Wong Lewis
DJ Pauly Smallz at Scratch Academy for Harlem Beat art show.

Art in FLUX uses pop-up strategies to raise awareness about Harlem artists with opening nights and interactive events. Recently, they ventured downtown to partner with Scratch Academy for Harlem Beat, an exhibit featuring four diverse artists. The show runs through June 14, at Scratch DJ Academy, 32 Cooper Square, 2nd floor, www.scratch.com.

“By bringing art to Scratch Academy we are aiming for a transformative experience at this premiere DJ school founded by the late Jam Master Jay and Rob Principe. We love mixing art with the unexpected,” said Leanne Stella, Art in FLUX founder.

Think about it. Would you expect to find an art gallery in a Hip Hop DJ academy? An element of surprise is the key ingredient for a successful pop-up. The goal is to create tremendous buzz and connection. This random yet targeted marketing approach is designed to be short-term. What a fun way to explore and be exposed to new artists!

The opening event on May 8, was a huge success as visitors streamed in all night. Scratch students, alumni and visitors were treated to art works expressed in digital painting, photography, graffiti, and paint. Each artist’s imagination “pulsed to the beat of their Harlem neighborhoods and is reflected in their work through musical, creative, and historical contexts,” Stella added.

Congrats to artists: Makeba Rainey, Tyson Hall, Ibou Ndoye, and Anya Roz.

“Urban Noise” painted guitar by Ibou Ndoye.

 

 

Also, congrats to Scratch Academy’s DJ Pauly Smallz who displayed great DJ skills.

More photos can be viewed on the gallery’s Face Book page: https://www.facebook.com/artinfluxharlem?directed_target_id=0

About Pop-up strategy:  The key to a successful pop-up event,  is to put your “store,” event, or product someplace where you would least expect it. These short-lived ventures can last a weekend or several months. Pop-ups are becoming the best low-cost way to set-up a temporary “store,” beyond the website, to create buzz, word-of-mouth marketing, develop an audience and generate sales and support.

 

 

 

 

Makeba Rainey poses with her art.

 

Memorial Day

Posted on by Sylvia Wong Lewis
Camden Sophisticated Sisters Drill Team to star at Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade.

The Camden Sophisticated Sisters Drill Team, a youth group that starred on Dancing with the Stars, was saluted by Beyonce on a video, and featured with Robin Roberts on  ABC News, will headline the Second Annual Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ) Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 27, 2013, 11am.

The event is set for Restoration Plaza, the home of the Billie Holiday Theater, at 1360 Fulton Street in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. They will be joined by praying grandmothers, jazz musicians, elected officials and other noted community leaders who will gather to honor our fallen military troops.

“Yesterday, today and tomorrow we serve our veterans with tender loving care and a listening ear,” said Wendy McClinton, BVSJ, CEO and president.

“We are thrilled to host the parade again and hope that this is the continuation of an annual tradition. We welcome everyone to join us as we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers,” said the leader of this community organization founded in 1979 to serve veterans, families and community.

The parade will march down Marcy Avenue from Restoration to BVSJ’s headquarters on Willoughby Avenue. A Color Guard, guest speakers and a processional will highlight the program.

Before the parade gets rolling, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson will give opening greetings with participation by Councilwoman Leticia James. At the end of the parade a community barbecue will be held including more guest speakers and closing remarks from Councilman Charles Barron; Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley; Bill de Blasio, NYC Public Advocate; and Dr. Eugene Mathiew, NYC’s first Haitian-born Councilman.

The following groups are expected: Praying Grandmothers; Soul Tigers Marching Band, Brooklyn for Peace, United War Veterans Council, National Association for Black Veterans (NAVVETS); Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium; National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club, National Association of Black Military Women, and Kan-Cobra, a Karate Group. Everyone is welcome. Go to www.bvsj.org.

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