I have been fascinated by Jamaica’s captivating history and multi-ethnic heritage and culture since childhood. Writing Jamaican Genealogy Research: A Practical Guide to the Best Resources for Tracing Your Ancestry was a tribute to my maternal grandmother and a “labor of love” for my global online genealogy community and future Jamaican ancestry researchers. My maternal grandmother left me a simple but loving gift—a handwritten list of four generations of our ancestors. This re-ignited my lifelong interest in uncovering family histories and later propelled me to begin my ancestry research in earnest.
The Research
Jamaica’s historical records were not easy to access in the pre-internet era, and many related documents were scattered in archives in the UK and elsewhere. I spent 20 years navigating the intricacies of Jamaican genealogy research and over the years, I saw a growing global interest by family historians. Yet many struggled with where or how to start their research—unaware of the increasing wealth of available records and how to access them. As my knowledge of the resources grew, I began sharing my insights through Jamaican genealogy Facebook groups and answering questions on Ancestry.com.
The Book
In the genealogy groups I manage online, it became increasingly clear that as our “library” of resources grew, they were not easy to access and navigate in the structure of the online platforms we were building. That led me to the decision to compile the invaluable resources in a book, which could serve as a comprehensive guide and reference for our global Jamaican genealogy research community. Hence the birth of my handbook of resources, expert tools, tips, and insights.
Genealogy and History
Jamaican Genealogy Research: A Practical Guide to the Best Resources for Tracing Your Ancestry is more than a collection of resources. It is designed to help readers master the research. The practical guide helps researchers (beginners or experienced) navigate the most relevant archives, genealogy websites, and record collections. It also equips them with strategies to overcome the unique challenges of Jamaican ancestry research. About 1/3 of the book is an overview of the island’s ancestral origins, and the migrations, struggles, and historical forces that shaped Jamaica and our ancestors’ lives.
Preserving a Family Legacy
Beyond compiling the resources to build family trees and break through their brick walls, my goal is to encourage others to document their stories and preserve their legacy for future generations. Writing this book was a deeply personal and rewarding journey. I hope it inspires and empowers others to explore their ancestral origins while immersing themselves in Jamaica’s captivating, multi-ethnic history and culture.
Have you started your genealogy journey? What discoveries have surprised you the most? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!