Caribbean History and Genealogy on the Radio

I am currently a guest on Peace FM (90.1 fm) in Manchester, UK (listen online at http://www.peacefm.org.uk), 8.30-10am every Friday; and ALL FM (96.9 fm), also in Manchester, UK (listen online at http://www.allfm.org), 1-3pm every Saturday.

New Caribbean History Classes for May & June

I have updated my website with new classes for May/June. (http://www.caribbeanfamilyroots.com/CaribbeanRoots.html).
I'm also on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=347368854932

Caribbean History

Although Spanish settlement began in the 16th century, the population in
1783 was less than three thousand, the majority being Amerindians.
In 1783, the Spanish Crown granted land to settlers in Trinidad. Land was
also offered to each Free Person of Colour. During the uprising in Haiti and
the French Revolutions, many people migrated from the French islands to
Trinidad. This resulted in Trinidad having the unique feature of a large
French-speaking Free Coloured slave-owning class.

Taken from 'A Short History of Trinidad and Tobago'

Caribbean Connexion Show

Join me on the Caribbean Connexion Show on ALL FM 96.9fm (or listen online by going to http://www.allfm.org). Everyday Saturday, 1-3pm. This week I'll be talking about the history of Trinidad and Tobago! I'll also be telling you about some myths about black history. Join our group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23244389626&ref=ts

Interested in Caribbean History?

Are you interested in Caribbean history, or tracing your Caribbean ancestors?
Join this group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caribbean-Family-Roots/226489515024?ref=ts

Tracing Your Caribbean Ancestors

The next Caribbean Roots class will take place on Thursday 8th April in Manchester. This will be for people tracing their Caribbean ancestors. This is the place to begin. Further information from: http://www.caribbeanfamilyroots.com

Caribbean History and Genealogy Classes

We had an excellent Caribbean History class on Thursday evening. People are asking for more! I'm considering a series of Caribbean history classes covering in more detail such topics as the Arawaks, Caribs, Maroons, slave rebellions, emancipation, life on a plantation, and so on. Show your interest by emailing: caribbeanroots@btinternet.com

Caribbean History and Genealogy Classes

Classes begin on Thursday 25th March at Whalley Range Methodist Church, 51 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 7EX. 7pm start. Cost £5-00.
For details, email: caribbeanroots@btinternet.com or telephone 07932717907.

Enslaved African Resistance to Slavery

Revolts by enslaved Africans had always been common. Newly purchased arrivals to the Caribbean were more likely to revolt than those born in the islands.

Many Africans brought to the islands were Coromantee Africans, brought in from the Gold Coast. Many of these people were the Akan, often from the Ashanti tribe. However, Coromantee warriors captured in battle did not easily leave their leadership positions for servitude.

One such Coromantee chief led what was called Tacky's Rebellion on Jamaica in 1760. Tacky led slaves around the island to revolt on Easter morning and stole guns, gunpowder, and other necessary supplies. They then moved inland, taking over estates and killing the whites of the plantation.

Though the militia and armed troops quickly captured and put down this first outbreak, the next several months on the island of Jamaica were filled with slave uprisings. In the end, some 60 whites and between 300 and 400 blacks were killed.

Researching African-Caribbean Family History

Until emancipation, most African-Caribbeans were considered to be the property of their owners. This meant that they were subject to the whims of their owner and local slave laws. For example, families could be split up, people could be sold, gifted and inherited as property. The enslaved people migrated with their owners to other countries, and were often denied an education and not allowed to attend church. Therefore, enslaved African-Caribbeans are not listed in the usual records used by family historians.

Although slavery in the British Caribbean officially ended on 1 August 1834, most former slaves were apprenticed to their former masters for a period of four years. Only children under the age of six, and slaves in Antigua and the Bahamas (who had passed local laws abolishing apprenticeship) were freed immediately. Therefore, for most people, slavery did not officially end until 1 August 1838.

To research African-Caribbean people who were freed before and after emancipation, the usual sources such as church registers, employment records, poor law records and wills, etc. can be used - most of which will be held in Caribbean archives and libraries, although copies are sometimes available in the UK. General guidance on building family trees is available at Family History.

Using these sources it is often possible for people to trace their families back to the 1840s. Going back earlier into the period of slavery is more challenging because African-Caribbeans were viewed as property, so the name of at least one owner is very useful to narrow down the options for your particular ancestor.

By Guy Grannum, author of 'Tracing your West Indian ancestors' PRO Publications, 2002.

JAMAICAN SURNAME ORIGINS

Enslaved Africans who were of full Negro blood, when baptized, were sometimes given surnames. The owners name was not given automatically, nor was the name of the estate given to them. There could therefore be many different surnames on any one estate. Many chose, adopted, or were given at baptism, various surnames. They could choose the name of the property owner, the bookkeeper or overeer, or someone who they liked, who had been good to them, or who was famous.

Life in 17th century Caribbean islands

"White indentured servants faced enormous hardships on the estates. The work was extremely hard, conditions appalling and life expectancy was short. Escaped servants were made to serve double time for their master. A repeated escape could lead to branding. Like slaves, the servant was regarded as a piece of property and was valued according to the amount of tobacco or sugar which could be expected to be produced before the indenture expired."

Taken from: The Making of New World Slavery: from the Baroque to the Modern, 1492-1800.
By Robin Blackburn, Verso, 1997 (Pbk, 1998).

Slave revolts in the Caribbean

Jamaica holds the record for slave revolts. There wer uprisings in 1655, 1673, 1760 and in the 1790s. There was at least one serious plot in Trinidad in 1805; Guyana was actually governed by a slave named Cuffy for a year after the revolt in 1763; and Barbados included six plots between 1649 and 1701.

Hello friends

I've been tracing my Caribbean ancestors for the past 19 years. Over the past five years I've been running workshops, and appearing on radio shows (the latest being the Sam Brown Joint on Friday mornings, Peace fm, 90.1 or listen online at http://www.peacefm.org.uk).

My website: http://www.caribbeanfamilyroots.com

Update:
I'm running four Caribbean History and Genealogy sessions at:

Whalley Range Methodist Church, Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester.

25th March - Introduction to Caribbean History.
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: £5-00

8th April - Introduction to Genealogy and Starting to Trace Your Family History
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: £5-00

15th & 22nd April - Practical Family History Workshops for people already tracing their family history
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: £10-00 per session

Alternatively, £25 when all four sessions are booked in advance.

For further details or to make a booking call me on 07932717907 (places are limited) or email caribbeanroots@btinternet.com