Jamaican Genealogy | Tracing Back to the 1770s

A Jamaican genealogy case study exploring how Paul Crooks traced his African ancestors, beyond Windrush, back to their ancestral homeland.
About this Event

A Windrush Generation masterclass with genealogist Paul Crooks on tracing African ancestry. Known for his pioneering research into Black ancestry, Paul Crooks will delve into the legacy of British slave-ownership and Black British heritage, focusing on the African Caribbean and African American communities.

In this event, Paul will use his personal journey as a case study to:

Reveal how he traced his family's Black history back to the early 1800s
Discuss records specific to research into Black ancestry, and other valuable resources
Share a step-by-step approach to uncovering ancestral records
Explain challenges encountered in this research and how to overcome them

This talk is for anyone inspired by the inspirational figures and historical events that shape our current understanding. Discover stories of ancestors who resisted racial injustice, igniting the imagination and driving personal and professional growth.

Ideal for those who are:

New to exploring family history
Experienced in searching for ancestors and seeking additional sources of information
Interested in uncovering more about their heritage and ancestral records
This event offers invaluable insights for Caribbean and African American people keen on tracing their African ancestry.

How to gain access to this event

This talk will be held over Zoom. Details of how to join the session will be in your registration confirmation email.

Plus Ticket: Along with event access, Plus Ticket holders will receive a digital copy of the 'Africans, Irish, and the Music of the Caribbean' eBook, delivered via email after the-event.

Trailer video:

Premium Ticket: Premium access includes all Plus offerings, plus a digital copy of Paul Crooks' latest novel 'Descendants,' sent to you electronically after the event.

Trailer video:

Deluxe Ticket: Deluxe attendees enjoy all Premium benefits, with the added bonus of the 'DNA Testing Demystified: Separating Fact from Fiction in Genealogy' eBook to deepen your understanding of genealogy sent to you electronically after the event.

Trailer video:

About the speaker

Trailblazing family historian Paul Crooks pioneered research into Black genealogy during the 1990s. He traced his family history from London, back 6 generations, to ancestors enslaved on a sugar plantation in North America.

Paul was told that it would be impossible to trace records of slave-ownership let alone his Ancestors enslaved on plantations in North America. “No one had tried because such records did not exist.” Undeterred, he embarked on a journey of discovery that led from suburban North London to North America and ultimately back to the Gold Coast.

His books, Ancestors and A Tree Without Roots - The Guide To Tracing British, African and Asian Caribbean Ancestry brought him international recognition for his breakthrough research into Black genealogy.

Paul is credited with inspiring an upsurge in interest in Black and British ancestry. He is also recognised for having spawned an industry in African Caribbean genealogy.

Paul is first among peers being an individual advocate for helping schools figure out how to deliver empowering history that