JOURNEY WITH US.

A research guide to ancestry, family history, and genealogy resources for Caribbean Indentureship.

This page may include some affiliate links in an effort to support the continued growth of AoP as a leading research resource in Caribbean genealogy. Thank you for your support!

WHERE DO i BEGIN?

As a first step, we always recommend searching the collections at, FamilySearch. Explore the world's largest collection of family trees, genealogy records, and resources here. All free of charge. 

  • CAN YOU HELP RESEARCH MY FAMILY HISTORY?

    Unfortunately, Ancestors of Paradise does not provide professional genealogy services. But, we do have an ever-growing list of professional genealogists with expertise in your area of interest that can help. Follow the link below to connect with a professional genealogist for the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora communities.

    If you are not ready to hire a genealogist and would like help getting started on your genealogy research journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to provide some “next steps”.

    Best of luck in your search!

  • HOW DO I TRANSLATE A GENEALOGICAL DOCUMENT?

    During your research, you likely have come across documents in a language you are not fluent in. We recommend reaching out to a volunteer group such as Genealogy Translations, which can be found on Facebook, for help.

    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!

  • HOW DO I FIND MY BIOLOGICAL FAMILY?

    If you are searching for your biological family we recommend that you reach out to an organization such as DNAngels or groups such as DNA Detectives and Search Squad (both of which can be found on Facebook).

    Using modern DNA analysis and traditional genealogy research methods, these communities help individuals find biological family members at no cost. Follow the link below to learn more about how genetic genealogy can reveal long forgotten or hidden details of your Caribbean ancestry!

records.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through census records, court records, deeds, naturalization records, military records, ship passenger lists as well as birth, marriage, and death records.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • 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.

Ancestry US

Ancestry US

COLLECTIONS.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • 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.

cultural institutions.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through libraries, museums, historical societies, and community cultural centers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Caribbean culture.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • The Ameena Gafoor Institute for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies

    The Ameena Gafoor Institute for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies (in partnership with the Pluto Educational Trust) has been set up to advance understanding about indentureship and its global impacts.

    The study of Indentureship is largely unrepresented throughout academia, with universities in the West paying little or no attention to the history, lives and efforts of indentured labourers and their descendants. At the Ameena Gafoor Institute, we will aim to remedy this through publishing, scholarships, professorships and conferences.

  • Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad and Tobago

    The Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad and Tobago is a museum founded by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha in Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago. It is dedicated to preserving the history of Indo-Caribbean culture. It is housed in the village of Waterloo, near the Temple in the Sea. The museum, founded in 2006, then was the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

  • 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.

  • SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN DIGITAL ARCHIVE

    SAADA ensures that South Asian Americans are recognized as an essential part of the American story.

    Our archive, storytelling projects, exhibits, artistic partnerships, walking tours, lesson plans, and books reflect a community of over 6.1 million individuals and more than 250 years of history.

HISTORIC IMAGES.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through early photographs, studio portraits, and historic landscape images.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • 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.

  • VIVID-PIX

    Easy-to-use software that helps you fix your pics and documents fast! Free to try - no credit card required.

Ancestry US

Ancestry US

books.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through our collection of books for beginners, research guides, records guides, case studies, memoirs, family histories, oral histories, and photography collections.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

In an effort to support independent bookstores and the vital community spaces they create, Ancestors of Paradise will always link to independent booksellers unless a book can only be purchased elsewhere.

PODCASTS.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through on-topic podcast episodes and series.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • A Daughter's Journey from Indenture to Windrush | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST

    In this episode I speak with Dr Maria del Pilar Kaladeen about her journey through family history which is based on the article that she wrote "A Daughter's Journey from Indenture to Windrush". This journey of self discovery comes with many turns and viewpoints, and connection to self.

  • Indentured Women with Gaiutra Bahadur | Brown History Podcast

    We sit with Gaiutra Bahadur, author of 'Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture' and discuss the lost history of indentured women.

  • Indo-Caribbeans with Rajiv Mohabir | Brown History Podcast

    We sit with Indo-Caribbean poet Rajiv Mohabir and discuss the roots and consequences of forced migrations.

  • The Peppa Pot Podcast

    Welcome to The Peppa Pot

    In this podcast we delve into the history of the Indo-Caribbean community and discuss the challenges they have overcome in their journey from India to the Caribbean and beyond.

    Join us as we unpack the untold history of Guyana

social media.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through social media discussion forums, networks, groups, and pages.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • 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.

  • WESTINDIANHISTORY | INSTAGRAM

    Monthly blogs about my history and 🇬🇾🇹🇹 Indian indentured servant ships (mainly).

GENEALOGY VIDEOS + TUTORIALS.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through tutorials, lectures, roundtable discussions, and genealogy webinars.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • Exploring the Early Caribbean Digital Archive: A Treasure Trove for Family and Historical Research | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST

    In this episode, we delve into the rich world of the Early Caribbean Digital Archive (ECDA) with the insights of Professors Nicole Aljo and Elizabeth Dillon, alongside their dedicated team.

    We explore the origins and objectives of the ECDA, a publicly accessible archive platform that houses a vast collection of pre-20th century Caribbean materials. Learn about their mission to decolonize and democratize knowledge by surfacing hidden narratives, such as those of enslaved individuals, embedded within historical texts.

    The team also shares their experiences and methodologies in curating and digitizing these invaluable resources, offering a glimpse into some fascinating exhibits like Obeah practices and Jamaican Heirs. Discover how you can navigate the archive, contribute to ongoing projects, and even use these resources for family research and educational purposes.

    Join us for a compelling discussion on the importance of preserving and accessing Caribbean history, both for understanding our past and informing our present.

  • The History of Indo-Caribbean Heritage (Kala Pani Archives / काला पानी अभिलेखागार) | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST

    In this episode, we delve into the fascinating Indo-Caribbean heritage with our special guest, Jess from the Kalapani Archives. Jess discusses the significant history of the East Indian indenture labor system that spread across the Caribbean, Africa, and the South Pacific.

    Learn about the inception of the Kalapani Archives, a repository that aims to shed light on this overlooked history and its relevance to present-day family research. Discover how Jess and her co-founder Tony, who met online through a shared interest in Indo-Caribbean history, have created a vibrant online community to unite descendants of Indian indentured laborers.

    Join us as Jess provides insights into the origins and significance of the Kalapani Archives, the challenges faced, and the future initiatives planned to continue expanding this essential historical resource.

  • From Indenture to Windrush: A Daughter's Journey | DIS A FI MI HISTORY PODCAST

    In this episode I speak with Dr Maria del Pilar Kaladeen about her journey through family history which is based on the article that she wrote "A Daughter's Journey from Indenture to Windrush". This journey of self discovery comes with many turns and viewpoints, and connection to self.

  • Coolies: How British Reinvented Slavery

  • Quarantine Conversations on Indenture Kathy Lopez

hire a professional genealogist.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through collaboration with a professional genealogist.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.

  • Ancestor Seekers

    Ancestor Seekers hosts the premier genealogy research trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. The company’s roots trace back to England, where Keith and Carol Spillar founded British Ancestors, offering expert genealogical services.

    However, upon encountering the wealth of resources at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City they redirected their efforts to establish Ancestor Seekers and introduce the Dream Genealogy Vacation. This unique experience offers guests a week-long immersion in the world’s largest genealogical library, The FamilySearch Library, where they access unparalleled resources as well as receive exclusive instruction and guidance from professional genealogists.

    Since its inaugural research week in February 2005, Ancestor Seekers has proudly welcomed genealogy enthusiasts for nearly two decades.

  • AncestryProGenealogists®

    The AncestryProGenealogists® team includes expert genealogists and family history specialists with extensive research experience—but the heart of the journey is you.

    Watch your family history come to life as our experts solve family mysteries, break down brick walls, resolve adoption riddles, dig into your DNA, and discover more about who you are and where you came from.

  • 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.

  • Peggy Plet

    Discover the hidden secrets of your family's history

    Need help with researching your family history? I'm here to help!

    I have extensive experience researching databases around the globe, and I specialize in Dutch and Surinamese historical databases.

    I also offer translation services between Dutch and English.

caribbean FAMILY ties.

Uncover the rich lives of your Caribbean ancestors through Caribbean communities with shared histories and genealogies.

To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.