JOURNEY WITH US.
A research guide to ancestry, family history, and genealogy resources for Cuba.
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.
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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 Cuban 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.
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ARCHIVO NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DE CUBA
Fundado el 28 de Enero de 1840, con el nombre de Archivo General de la Real Hacienda, el actual Archivo Nacional de la República de Cuba, fue la quinta de estas instituciones creadas en América Latina.Desde entonces, hemos recopilado en 221 fondos la documentación de las sucesivas administraciones coloniales, neocoloniales y algunas del período revolucionario; la perteneciente a relevantes personalidades de la cultura y la política y la que generaran escribanos notariales, órganos consultivos, sociedades, compañías, institutos, museos, universidades, en fin, toda la variedad de formas en que se organiza la sociedad civil.
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Cuba Gen Web
CubaGenWeb is an on-line bi-lingual depository of resources and data dedicated to Cuban Genealogy. It is intended to facilitate the search for your Cuban roots by providing as much information as possible to get you started in your research and help fill in some of the missing blanks. CubaGenWeb is a non-profit personal hobby started in 1996 with the encouragement and support of many friends.
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CUBA RESEARCH PROJECT
At the Cuba Research Project, our mission is to gather, preserve, and provide accessible genealogical and demographical data on the vibrant population of Cuba. Our website serves as a valuable resource, empowering individuals with the tools and information needed to delve into the world of Cuban genealogy and demographics. By meticulously collecting and archiving records, we enable individuals to research and uncover their ancestral roots, explore familial connections, and gain a deeper understanding of their Cuban heritage.
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Digital Cuba
Working together to digitize birth, marriage and death records to help Cuban genealogists everywhere. Digital Cuba, Inc is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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ENDANGERED ARCHIVES PROGRAMME | Cuba
The Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) facilitates the digitisation of archives around the world that are in danger of destruction, neglect or physical deterioration. Thanks to generous funding from Arcadia, a charitable foundation that works to preserve cultural heritage and promote open access to knowledge, we have provided grants to almost 500 projects in over ninety countries worldwide, in more than a hundred languages and scripts.
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FAMILYSEARCH RESEARCH WIKI | Cuba
The FamilySearch Research Wiki is a free, online genealogical guide created and maintained by FamilySearch, a non-profit organization. It contains links to genealogy databases, websites, other resources, research strategies, and genealogical guidance to assist in the search for your ancestors. Articles included are locality pages for countries around the world and topic pages that include pertinent genealogy record types explaining how to use the record, what it contains, and how to find it.
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Hojas de Servicios Militares de América : Cuba, 1765-1809 | FamilySearch
Microfilme de manuscritos en la Sección de Guerra Moderna del Archivo General de Simancas.
Un índice alfabético por apellidos se ha publicado como Catálogo XXII del Archivo de Simancas, Secretaría de Guerra (Siglo XVIII), Hojas de Servicios de América (en la FHL es un libro con número de clasificación EUROPE 946 M23e).
Spaniards in Cuba; military service records, 1765-1809. For a surname index to these records, refer to Catálogo XXII del Archivo de Simancas, Secretaría de Guerra (Siglo XVIII), Hojas de Servicios de América (Family History Library book call no. EUROPE 946 M23e).
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The Mariel Boatlift | Research Guides
This guide provides resources available at the Cuban Heritage Collection and materials held at other institutions for investigating Mariel from a variety of angles and through multiple approaches and disciplines. We have provided links to digital content where applicable, including open access collections. Some online material such as newspaper databases and streaming media may only be available to UM students, faculty, and employees.
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PORTAL DE ARCHIVOS ESPAÑOLES (PARES)
The Spanish Archives Portal (PARES) is the main platform used to disseminate Spain's Historical Document Heritage, created and managed by the National Archives Department of the Ministry of Culture.
It contains information sheets and digitised images of the historical documents held in the National Archives. However, given the enormous volume of documents, not all of the documentation held in our archives is currently available on PARES. There is an increasing amount of content available on PARES as archivists continue their work to identify, describe and digitise the documents.
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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.
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SLAVE SOCIETIES DIGITAL ARCHIVE | Cuba Collection
The SSDA Cuba collection consists of ecclesiastical and secular documents dating from the sixteenth-through nineteen centuries from the provinces of Cienfuegos, Havana, Holguín, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, as well as a small selection of transcriptions and volume descriptions. The collection is organized in a geographical hierarchy, beginning with a modern province and descending to a modern city and finally the institution where the document was originally produced.
The Cuba collection also includes digitized images of La Aurora de Matanzas, the nineteenth century newspaper published in Matanzas that has been described as the jewel of Cuban journalism.
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SlaveVoyages
The SlaveVoyages website is a collaborative digital initiative that compiles and makes publicly accessible records of the largest slave trades in history. Search these records to learn about the broad origins and forced relocations of more than 12 million African people who were sent across the Atlantic in slave ships, and hundreds of thousands more who were trafficked within the Americas. Explore where they were taken, the numerous rebellions that occurred, the horrific loss of life during the voyages, the identities and nationalities of the perpetrators, and much more.
collections.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | CARIBBEAN
Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.
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ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARDS | Cuba
Ancestry message boards contain over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards.
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La Aurora de Matanzas | SLAVE SOCIETIES DIGITAL ARCHIVE
The SSDA Cuba collection consists of ecclesiastical and secular documents dating from the sixteenth-through nineteen centuries from the provinces of Cienfuegos, Havana, Holguín, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, as well as a small selection of transcriptions and volume descriptions. The collection is organized in a geographical hierarchy, beginning with a modern province and descending to a modern city and finally the institution where the document was originally produced.
The Cuba collection also includes digitized images of La Aurora de Matanzas, the nineteenth century newspaper published in Matanzas that has been described as the jewel of Cuban journalism.
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Chinese Immigrants in Cuba: Documents From the James and Ana Melikian Collection
The Chinese Immigrants in Cuba collection includes hundreds of original documents, manuscripts and photos covering the migration of 125,000 Chinese who signed up to be cheap labor in Cuba from 1847 until the later 1890s. The archive continues until the 1970s and records the Chinese community in Cuba and is rich with photos. This massive collection, from the archive of James and Ana Melikian Collection, is probably the largest one in private hands concerning Chinese in Cuba. At present, the physical collection contains over 1,341 records and about 8,000-9,000 pages.
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Chinese in Cuba | Web Documentary
In 2013, collector James Melikian was going through a sales catalogue of an auction of African American history and came upon a single document different from the rest which related to the migration of thousands of Chinese to Cuba in the mid 19th century. It piqued his interest and he started buying everything he could on the topic. What he collected includes thousands of original documents, manuscripts and photos covering the migration of approximately 142,000 Chinese who “signed up” to be cheap labor in Cuba from 1847 during the indentured period, through free migration in the late 1800s, and continuing into the 1970s – recording the Chinese community in Cuba. This collection, very rich in original photographs as well as documents, is probably one of the largest such collections of its type in private hands. Melikian also teamed up with Dr. Ralph Gabbard at Arizona State University’s (ASU) Hayden Library to archive and store the digital collection there under the title, “The James and Ana Melikian Collection.” At present the collection contains over 1340 records and about 8,000-9,000 pages. Included in the collection and archive are ship manifests, certifications of entry, first and second contracts, lists of contracted Chinese workers, runaway workers, permanent residence documents, naturalization documents, identity records, passports, certifications of nationality, baptism, marriage and death records, financial records, court cases and many more record types. What is presented here in this web documentary is the history and contribution of the Chinese who came to Cuba through the narrative of this vast collection.
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Cuban Heritage Collection | University of Miami
The Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami Libraries is home to the largest repository of materials on Cuba outside of the island and the most comprehensive collection of resources about Cuban exile history and the global Cuban diaspora experience. As a premier research destination, the Collection hosts researchers, students, and visitors from around the world who can explore and discover a wide and ever-expanding range of information. These materials include published works such as rare and contemporary books, journals, artists books, and newspapers, as well as archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, maps, works on paper, audiovisual content, ephemera, and growing born-digital and digitized collections.
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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.
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THE EARLY CARIBBEAN DIGITAL ARCHIVE
The Early Caribbean Digital Archive is an open access collection of pre-twentieth-century Caribbean texts, maps, and images. Texts include travel narratives, novels, poetry, natural histories, and diaries that have not been brought together before as a single collection focused on the Caribbean. The materials in the archive are primarily authored and published by Europeans, but the ECDA aims to use digital tools to "remix" the archive and foreground the centrality and creativity of enslaved and free African, Afro-creole, and Indigenous peoples in the Caribbean world.
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HISTORY HUB | Cuba
History Hub is a research support community for everyone, including genealogists, historians, and citizen archivists.
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Index to Historia de Familias Cubanas Vols 1-9 | Cuba Gen Web
This 9-volume work represents the most extensive collection ever compiled of Cuban genealogies. It has 841 surname entries.
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The Mariel Boatlift | University of Miami Libraries
This guide provides resources available at the Cuban Heritage Collection and materials held at other institutions for investigating Mariel from a variety of angles and through multiple approaches and disciplines. We have provided links to digital content where applicable, including open access collections. Some online material such as newspaper databases and streaming media may only be available to UM students, faculty, and employees.
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MYHERITAGE | Cuba ($)
The Cuba family history research page lists data collections relevant to Cuba.
Start your search here to find ancestors originating from Cuba and to research historical records pertaining to Cuba.
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Operation Pedro Pan Collections Guide | University of Miami Libraries
Operation Pedro Pan’s history involves the unprecedented migration of 14,000 unaccompanied minors as they left their beloved Cuba for the United States from 1960-1962.
CEMETERIES + MEMORIALS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through cemetery records, grave records, tombstone inscriptions, and funeral booklets.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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FIND A GRAVE | Cuba
Find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials or add photos, virtual flowers and a note to a loved one's memorial. Search or browse cemeteries and grave records for every-day and famous people from around the world.
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INTERMENT.NET | CUBA
This website contains 25+ million cemetery records, transcripts, and burial registers, from tens of thousands of cemeteries across the world, all contributed by genealogists, cemeteries, government agencies, and private organizations.
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INTERNATIONAL JEWISH CEMETERY PROJECT | Cuba
We have successfully collected information about thousands of Jewish cemetery sites all over the world along with information on the location of the cemetery, and how to obtain more information. Each Jewish cemetery or burial site listed in the project by town or city, country, and geographic region is based on current locality designation. Some listings include links to other websites with additional information such as burial lists or a name to contact by email or snail-mail.
HISTORIC IMAGES + FILM.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through early photographs, studio portraits, historic landscape images and film.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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Chinese Immigrants in Cuba: Documents From the James and Ana Melikian Collection
The Chinese Immigrants in Cuba collection includes hundreds of original documents, manuscripts and photos covering the migration of 125,000 Chinese who signed up to be cheap labor in Cuba from 1847 until the later 1890s. The archive continues until the 1970s and records the Chinese community in Cuba and is rich with photos. This massive collection, from the archive of James and Ana Melikian Collection, is probably the largest one in private hands concerning Chinese in Cuba. At present, the physical collection contains over 1,341 records and about 8,000-9,000 pages.
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Carpenter Collection | Library of Congress
The Frank and Frances Carpenter Collection consists of photographs produced and gathered by Frank G. Carpenter (1855-1924) and his daughter Frances (1890-1972) to illustrate his writings on travel and world geography. Carpenter's works helped popularize cultural anthropology and geography in the early years of the twentieth century.
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Cuba Early 1900s
Early Photos of Cuba circa early 1900s. From negatives.
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DEADFRED GENEALOGY PHOTO ARCHIVE
Trace your roots for FREE with our searchable database containing thousands of identified and mystery photos for genealogy enthusiasts looking for long-lost family. Anyone who finds a photo of a direct ancestor that is owned by the archive will receive the photo for free.
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Earl Leaf Getty Images Collection | Cuba
Earl Leaf was a well-established photojournalist who settled in LA in the 1940s.
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Granger Academic | Cuba
Granger Academic provides access to Granger's vast and vibrant archive of historical pictures. Many of these images are not available anywhere else, and for the first time we have made our collection available free of charge to teachers, librarians and students.
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HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library
HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library is an archive of images from the Jewish world. Jewish communities in the Caribbean featured include Aruba, Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Nevis, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Eustatius, St. Thomas, and Trinidad.
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HARRY ALVERSON FRANCK PHOTOGRAPHS | Cuba
Harry A. Franck (1881-1962) was a University of Michigan graduate (1903), avid traveler, and veteran of both world wars. He wrote thirty-three travel books describing Europe, South and Central America, China, Japan, and many other places. His most popular books include A Vagabond Journey Around the World (1910) and Zone Policeman 88 (1913). His books routinely featured photographs he took during his journeys: landscapes, street scenes, working people with the tools of their trade, portraits, and snapshots.
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Heinrich Heidersberger | Cuba in 1954
Legendary German photographer Heinrich Heidersberger worked on a cruise ship, the MS Atlantic, in 1954. He took thousands of pictures of Americans sailing from New York to Havana.
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HUNTLEY FILM ARCHIVES | Cuba
We are a team of dedicated film archivists who aim to help you produce the best archive content for your project.
Our collections are vast and varied - the sum of over fifty years of service to production and to film archiving. Our footage starts around 1895 and we cover the places and people of the 20th century comprehensively and globally. Our holdings are mostly documentary with the addition of behind the scenes Hollywood, Bollywood and a special collection of pioneer film makers. It is with great pride that our source material is still on celluloid for quality and that filmic texture. Our films are housed in purpose built film vaults and our staff expert in their field.
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Library of Congress Public Domain Image Collections | Cuba
The Library's first digitization project was called "American Memory." Launched in 1990, it initially planned to choose 160 million objects from its collection to make digitally available on laserdiscs and CDs that would be distributed to schools and libraries. After realizing that this plan would be too expensive and inefficient, and with the rise of the Internet, the Library decided to instead make digitized material available over the Internet. This project was made official in the National Digital Library Program (NDLP), created in October 1994. By 1999, the NDLP had succeeded in digitizing over 5 million objects. The Library has kept the "American Memory" name for its public domain website, which today contains 15 million digital objects, comprising over 7 petabytes.
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Mary Evans Picture Library
Mary Evans Picture Library licenses images for use in books, newspapers, exhibitions, websites and all manner of other media. Our images cover a broad range of topics, with the overarching themes of history and film. Our range, however, extends far beyond most people's perception of historical pictures, to include areas such as fashion, design, society and, uniquely, the paranormal.
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The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs | Cuba
The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs is a singular collection of more than 3,500 historical images from 34 countries including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. This visual record contains studio portraits, landscapes and tourist views and brings to life the changing economies, environments and communities that emerged post-emancipation. The Collection includes nearly every photographic format available during the years 1840 to 1940, including prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, lantern slides, albums, and stereographs.
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M/S MUSEET FOR SØFART (M/S MARITIME MUSEUM OF DENMARK) | IMAGE ARCHIVE
M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark tells the story of Denmark as one of the world's leading maritime nations in an evocative and dramatic way.
You can visit the digital image archive here where more than 60.000 photos are digitalized (in Danish).
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NATIONAAL ARCHIEF PHOTO COLLECTION | Cuba
The National Archives manages 15 million photos. You can view more than one million photos online. The photo collection provides an overview of events from the period between 1865 and 1990.
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New York Public Library STEREOGRAPH COLLECTION | Cuba
This digital compilation was developed in support of the NYPL website, "The African American Migration Experience," a sweeping 500-year historical narrative from the transatlantic slave trade to the Western migration, the colonization movement, the Great Migration, and the contemporary immigration of Caribbeans, Haitians, and sub-Saharan Africans.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN & CARIBBEAN IMAGES (KITLV) | UNIVERSITAIRE BIBLIOTHEKEN LEIDEN
The KITLV image collection holds photographs, prints and drawings that were acquired by The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV). Housed at Leiden University Libraries since 2014, as part of the KITLV library collection.
The biggest part of the image collection consists of photographs. Around 1890 the KITLV started collecting photographs for the purpose of documenting the image of the Dutch East and West Indies in all their facets, such as landscapes, town views, architecture, and life under indigenous and Dutch rule and so forth.
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The Travel Film Archive | Cuba
The Travel Film Archive is a collection of travelogues and educational and industrial films - many of them in color - that show the world the way it was between 1900 and 1970. All of our footage was shot on film (much of it on 35mm), so if you need HD transfers, we have film backing - in many cases the camera originals.
Footage from The Travel Film Archive is available for licensing from Getty Images and the TFA Network of agents, either directly or through this site. At this time we do not provide footage for personal use.
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VIVID-PIX
Easy-to-use software that helps you fix your pics and documents fast! Free to try - no credit card required.
HISTORIC MAPS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through historic maps.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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David Rumsey Map Collection | Cuba
The David Rumsey Map Collection was started over 35 years ago and contains more than 200,000 maps. The collection focuses on rare 16th through 21st century maps of North and South America, as well as maps of the World, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. The collection includes atlases, globes, wall maps, school geographies, pocket maps, books of exploration, maritime charts, and a variety of cartographic materials including pocket, wall, children's, and manuscript maps. Items range in date from around 1550 to the present.
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Historic Map Works | Cuba
Based in South Portland, ME, Historic Map Works, LLC is an Internet company formed to create a historic digital map database of North America and the world. Drawing on the largest physical collection of American property atlases of its type, it is our aim to be the single best online destination for map enthusiasts and researchers alike.
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OLD MAPS ONLINE | Cuba
Our mission is to give old maps a new life in the online world via the Old Maps Online search catalog that allows visitors to explore and discover the beauty of historical maps depicting a past geographical place of their interest.
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PERRY-CASTAÑEDA LIBRARY MAP COLLECTION | Historical Maps
The Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) Map Collection website is archived as of 2021 and no longer being updated. Links to external sites may no longer work as expected. Please visit the Texas GeoData portal and Collections portal for map files and the UTL Map Collections LibGuide for additional information.
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban 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.
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The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora
The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora is a culturally-specific museum of memory, dedicated to showcasing and documenting the history, culture, and contributions of the Cuban exile community through exhibitions, and programming in the arts and humanities.
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Raices Profundas
Compañía Folclórica Cuba
CUBAN DIASPORA.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through our collection of diverse genealogical resources.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE CUBAN DIASPORA
The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora is a culturally-specific museum of memory, dedicated to showcasing and documenting the history, culture, and contributions of the Cuban exile community through exhibitions, and programming in the arts and humanities.
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CUBAN GENEALOGY CLUB OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
The Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami Florida, Inc. seeks to foster an interest in the preservation of records and testimonies that document Cuban family history. Our club benefits from being at the center of a rich and vibrant Cuban community that, despite the distances imposed by time, language, and geography, has in many ways, become the guardian of our rich patrimony.
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Cuban Heritage Collection | University of Miami
The Cuban Heritage Collection at the University of Miami Libraries is home to the largest repository of materials on Cuba outside of the island and the most comprehensive collection of resources about Cuban exile history and the global Cuban diaspora experience. As a premier research destination, the Collection hosts researchers, students, and visitors from around the world who can explore and discover a wide and ever-expanding range of information. These materials include published works such as rare and contemporary books, journals, artists books, and newspapers, as well as archival materials including personal papers, organizational records, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, maps, works on paper, audiovisual content, ephemera, and growing born-digital and digitized collections.
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First Days Project | Cuba
We launched the First Days Project in 2013 because we realized that stories of immigrants’ and refugees’ first experiences in the United States were not being collected, preserved, and shared with others.
What makes the First Days Project universal, is that regardless of whether their first day in the country was five, twenty, or forty (or even more) years ago, it is a day that most immigrants and refugees remember very vividly. After all, the first day in a new country is so much more than just one day. A first day can be full of excitement, nervousness, loss, humor, sadness, adventure, confusion, and a mixture of many other emotions. A first day both encapsulates what came before and anticipates what will come after. -
THE MARIEL BOATLIFT | UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LIBRARIES
This guide provides resources available at the Cuban Heritage Collection and materials held at other institutions for investigating Mariel from a variety of angles and through multiple approaches and disciplines. We have provided links to digital content where applicable, including open access collections. Some online material such as newspaper databases and streaming media may only be available to UM students, faculty, and employees.
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OPERATION PEDRO PAN COLLECTIONS GUIDE | UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI LIBRARIES
Operation Pedro Pan’s history involves the unprecedented migration of 14,000 unaccompanied minors as they left their beloved Cuba for the United States from 1960-1962.
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CARIBBEAN CULTURAL CENTER AFRICAN DIASPORA INSTITUTE
CCCADI's programs serve children/youth, families, young professionals, elders, local and international artists, and practitioners of African-based spiritual traditions. Through our work CCCADI offers a collective space where African descendants honor the contributions of the global African Diaspora through exhibitions, performances, conferences, educational programs, and international exchanges.
BOOKS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban 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.
BLOGs + ARTICLES.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through blogs and articles on history, culture, and genealogy.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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Cuba Virtual Jewish History Tour | The Virtual Jewish World
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba comprises the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Today, the Jewish population of Cuba is approximately 500.
History
Camaguey, Santiago & Havana
The 1959 Revolution
Operation Cigar
Present-Day Jewish Life
Cuba-Israel Relations -
Los Árabes en Cuba
Visualizando el libro y la investigación de Rigoberto Menéndez Paredes.
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Researching Your Windrush Generation Family History | Legacy Tree Genealogists
This article explores the origins, contributions, and legacy of the Windrush generation, with a focus on how to research family history linked to this significant group.
PODCASTs.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through on-topic podcast episodes and series.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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Cuban Domestic Labor: A Complex History Unearthed with Dr Anasa Hicks | STRICTLY FACTS
As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, this episode promises to enlighten you with a deep dive into the complexities of Cuba's domestic labor history, guided by the expert insights of our guest, Dr Anasa Hicks, Associate Professor of History at Florida State University.
We journey together through the significant shifts of the 20th century, examining the enduring ties of domestic service to the history of slavery, the gendered and class structures of domestic labor, and the changing perceptions of these roles in society. From the turbulent era of the 1933 Revolution to the radical activism era between 1938 and 1959, we delve into the intricate narratives that have shaped the future of domestic service in Cuba. Hear the story of Elvira Rodriguez, a domestic servant and activist whose story embodies the power of workers' activism in Cuba. This is more than just a history lesson; it's an exploration of the power of activism and the complexities of labor history in Cuba. -
Cuban Family Roots Podcast
The Cuban Family Roots Podcast feature stories and interviews of everyday Cubans and their journey to finding ancestral roots. Since its discovery in 1492, Cuba became a migration hub for Europeans, Asians, and people all over the world. Do you know your family roots? This podcast will provide historical facts, interviews and genealogical tips to help you get started in your genealogical journey. We hope every episode will provides a roadmap in finding your Cuban family roots.
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Cuban Genealogy Podcast
Discussing our approach and experiences in digitizing and sharing our Cuban heritage. Keep up-to-date on the parish digitizing project!
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Exploring Black Women's Impact in Early 20th-Century Cuba with Dr. Takkara Brunson | STRICTLY FACTS
Have you ever wondered what Cuba was like before the 1959 Revolution? This fascinating episode promises to take you there. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us as we are joined by Dr. Takkara Brunson for a riveting exploration of the Republic of Cuba period (1902-1958) through the lens of Black Cuban women. We unravel their significant contributions to the independence movement despite the racialized and gendered dynamics that pervaded their society.
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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.
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ISLAND ARCHIVES
The Island Archives Podcast is an audio series created to honor the Caribbean heroes/sheroes of the past and present and highlight their immeasurable contributions in different areas/disciplines. We feature their achievements by retelling their stories in an interesting, engaging, and insightful way by blending humor, history and highlights.
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Operation Pedro Pan | Stories That Live In Us
When cousins Elisa and Yda finally met in person, they uncovered more than their shared DNA – they discovered how a desperate effort to save Cuban children from Castro's regime had shaped their family's destiny. Through meticulous research and a surprising DNA match, Elisa connected with a branch of her Jewish family she never knew existed, leading to the discovery of their role in Operation Pedro Pan – one of the largest child refugee operations in American history. In this moving episode, Yda shares her experience as one of over 14,000 Cuban children who left everything behind, armed with only a small token to identify them upon arrival in the United States. Their story reminds us how DNA testing can reveal not just family connections, but also uncover profound chapters of history that continue to shape families across generations.
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ARCHIVO NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DE CUBA | Facebook
Archivo Nacional de la República de Cuba. Por la preservación de la memoria histórica.
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The Barbados-Cuba Genealogy Connection | Facebook
This group is open to people interested in tracing our ancestors and our history from Barbados to Cuba.
During our family research, we have discovered that many of our families have made journeys for a better life to other nations in the Caribbean, Europe and other places. Cuba has been one such place that has not been totally explored.
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CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY | FACEBOOK
This group is for sharing resources and assisting with research relating to Caribbean ancestry and history.
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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.
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Club Jamaicanos de Ultramar (CUBA) | Facebook
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CUBA ANTES DE 1958 | Facebook
Para que nuestros jovenes conozcan la Cuba republicana de antes del 1958. La Cuba de nuestros padres y abuelos.
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Cuba Research Project | Genealogía & Demografía de Cuba | Cuban Genealogy | Facebook
Project recopila y proporciona datos genealógicos y demográficos sobre Cuba. Toda la información es 100% gratuita.
The Cuba Research Project collects and provides genealogical and demographic data about Cuba. All the information is 100% free. -
Cuban Genealogy/ Genealogia Cubana | Facebook
Cuban Genealogy / Genealogía Cubana FB group was created in the spirit of research, learning and cooperation in searching for our common roots in Cuba.
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Genealogía Cubana | Facebook
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Genealogía de Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Guántanamo, Las Tunas y Granma | Facebook
Este es un grupo dedicado a descubrir sus ancestros cubanos en la antigua provincia de Oriente.
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GENEALOGICAL TRANSLATIONS | FACEBOOK
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!
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Proyecto Cuba Indígena
Proyecto de fotografía y ciencia q explora la presencia de descendencia indígena en Cuba.
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Sociedad Hebraica Luis de Torres | Facebook
Investigando el legado judío hispano portugués en Cuba y las Américas. Página laica.
Investigating the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish legacy in Cuba and the Americas. Secular page.
GENEALOGY VIDEOS + TUTORIALS.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through tutorials, lectures, roundtable discussions, and genealogy webinars.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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Cuban Genealogy Resources | FamilySearch
Join us for an entry level class exploring Cuban Genealogy resources.
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Islenos in your Cuban Family Tree: Canary Islands Migration to Cuba
Join Rich Denis as he presents the historical migrations of Canary Islanders to Cuba. Rich also covers the history of the Canary Island and interviews Canary Island researcher: Carmelo (in Spanish). This program is brought to you by Digital Cuba as part of the Cuba Digitization Project series on Cuban genealogy. For more information visit: www.digitalcuba.org
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Proyecto Cuba indigena
El Proyecto Cuba Indígena tiene como objetivo principal dar una respuesta definitiva a esta controversia. Para ello, el Proyecto ha puesto en marcha a un equipo de profesionales de diferentes especialidades con el fin de obtener una respuesta definitiva, que además de sólida e indiscutible, sea también atractiva.
Se trata de un acercamiento serio y respetuoso a los orígenes de los cubanos de hoy. Las conclusiones, sin duda, podrán ayudar a reinterpretar algunos capítulos de la historia de Cuba y de las relaciones entre España y Cuba a lo largo de los últimos 500 años. Pero sobre todo a dar un nuevo sentido al sentimiento de cubanía.
Una mirada artística llevada a cabo con el aval de la ciencia. Fotografía, genética, historia y sociedad en una interesante e innovadora combinación que, sin lugar a dudas, aportará una nueva visión al mapa humano del mundo. -
18th Century Cuba with Dr. Sherry Johnson (FIU)
Join us for our discussion on the social transformation of 18th Century Cuba, early parishes, and the effects of hurricanes on the island. We apologize in advance for some of the audio issues. Find out more about our parish preservation project at: www.digitalcuba.org
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Matanzas! Rich Denis covers Matanza's history and available records for Cuban genealogy research!
Matanzas! Rich Denis covers Matanza's history and available records for Cuban genealogy research! Digital Cuba is a designated 501(c)(3) dedicated to preserving Cuban heritage by preserving parish records on the island.
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A Serendipitous Turn to Cuban Slavery | Rhind Lectures 2022
An unexpected opportunity to travel to Cuba presented itself while Theresa was working at the Smithsonian that ultimately led to developing an archaeological project at a former coffee plantation with a unique slave settlement that was fully enclosed within a tall masonry wall. Undertaking this research project turned Theresa’s understanding of slavery on its head as well as broaden her understanding of the Afro-Latin American Diaspora.
The Rhind Lectures 2022, “Unearthing the African Diaspora” are presented by Professor Theresa Singleton PhD FSA. Livestreamed and recorded by the Society at Augustine United Church. Sponsored by AOC Archaeology Group. -
San Jose de las Lajas –Breve Estudio de Sus Primeros Pobladores y Archivo Parroquial
VIDEO IS IN SPANISH ONLY - "San Jose de las Lajas - Brief Study of Its First Settlers and Parish Archive" -Presentation by Samuel Martinez Alcalá for the April 10th, 2021 General Meeting of the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, Fl., Inc.
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Getting Started on Cuban Genealogy Research
First steps for doing your Cuban genealogy. Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, FL., Inc. - https://cubangenclub.org/ CubaGenWeb.org - http://www.cubagenweb.org/
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Padre Juan Luis Sanchez (Part. I)
Palabras del Padre Juan Luís Sánchez, de la parroquia de Saints Peter and Paul, durante su conferencia "Familias Fundadoras de Cuba". Juan Luís Sánchez es uno de los mas eruditos conocedores de la genealogía de familias cubanas del momento actual
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INTRODUCTION TO AFRO-CARIBBEAN GENEALOGY RESOURCES WITH SHARON WILKINS
Learn how to trace your Afro-Caribbean ancestors from the West Indies, including Barbados, Jamaica, and other places. Presented by Sharon Wilkins, President of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society - New York.
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Researching Female Ancestors of the Caribbean | FamilySearch
In this video, Researching Female Ancestors of the Caribbean, Sharon Tomlin delves into ways we can research African-Caribbean female ancestry. Encouraging dialogue across the generations to understand the pioneers of the past and to discover the pioneers within their own family.
This presentation was part of RootsTech Connect 2021. -
Caribbean Indigenous Peoples: An Introduction to Taíno Culture | Holyoke Public Library
Roberto "Múkaro" Borrero is a Taíno community leader, an accomplished musician, and artist, as well as an internationally respected advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. He is currently the President of the United Confederation of Taíno People and, on behalf of the International Indian Treaty Council, he is a co-convener for the Indigenous Peoples Major Group on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Borrero will present a lecture on Taíno history and culture, which will span from before the arrival of Columbus to contemporary affirmations of Taíno heritage. The Taíno were the first Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere to be called "Indians".
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Scotland’s relationship with the Atlantic slave trade | National Library of Scotland
In this talk Matthew Lee, a PhD student co-supervised by staff at the Library, examines Scotland’s relationship with the Atlantic slave trade through our collections, based on a recent cataloguing project.
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Art in the Spotlight: The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs | Art Gallery of Ontario
Join artist and Toronto Photo Laureate Michèle Pearson Clarke for a conversation with AGO Associate Curator of Photography Julie Crooks about The Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs, a singular collection of more than 3,500 historical images from 34 countries including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. This visual record contains studio portraits, landscapes and tourist views and brings to life the changing economies, environments and communities that emerged post-emancipation. The Collection includes nearly every photographic format available during the years 1840 to 1940, including prints, postcards, daguerreotypes, lantern slides, albums, and stereographs.
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BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 84: Getting Started with Caribbean Genealogy
Learn tips, tricks, and more for researching ancestry in the Caribbean! Special guest, Anaisa Bayala.
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Caribbean Ancestry Guide: Getting Started | Island Ancestors
Use the strategies and hints in this video to trace your Caribbean ancestors. Before you know it you'll be on location just like on 'Who Do You Think You Are.' West Indian family history research is challenging but NOT impossible.
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Tracing My Caribbean Ancestry - Reasons to do Genealogy! | Islands Ancestors
How I traced my Caribbean ancestors back to the 18th century! The process of working on my family tree has helped me grow tremendously. Now I want to help you trace your Caribbean ancestors as far back as you can!
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Caribbean Ancestry: Myths and Misconceptions | Island Ancestors
Myths and Misconceptions are holding you back from tracing your Caribbean Ancestors. Challenge your assumptions and take your research forward.
In this video, I dispel four common myths about West Indian family history. -
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. -
Quarantine Conversations on Indenture Kathy Lopez
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Cuban Marriage Records | Digital Cuba
History of marriage in Cuba: Rich Denis will give this presentation on how to research your Cuban ancestors using a variety of marriage records: expedientes, esponsales, civil registries and parish records. DigitalCuba is a designated 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving historical records in Cuba for heritage and genealogical purposes.
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Early Colonial Cuba | Digital Cuba
Discussion with Cuban-American syndicated author: Luis Martinez Fernandez to discuss his book: Key to the New World. Sponsored and produced by the Cuban Genealogy Podcast for Digital Cuba. Digital Cuba is a 501c3 dedicated to preserving parish records in Cuba.
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How to Use the Hathitrust Catalog | Cuban Genealogy Club
Quick tutorial on using the HathiTrust Catalog to look for your Cuban ancestors in books. Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, FL., Inc.
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Finding Your Roots Discussion | Cuban Americans
Enjoy our Finding Your roots post-screening discussion with Casa Cuba on the history of Cuban Americans, Cuban Jews and much more!
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Genealogy in a Spanish Sea, the Caribbean: Cuba | FamilySearch
This class, Genealogy in a Spanish Sea: The Caribbean (Cuba) will demonstrate and discuss family history research resources for Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. You will learn about online resources as well as archive holdings for these beautiful island nations. This video focuses specifically on Cuba.
This presentation was part of RootsTech Connect 2021. -
Chinese in Cuba | Video Collection
I have just completed a web documentary called Chinese in Cuba. Here I am placing documentary video clips that will be used on the website. The documentary was inspired by the collection of James and Ana Melikian, they hold original papers, files, books, art, and photographs documenting the Chinese in Cuba. Arizona State University has also digitized the collection and holds it in their archives. The images you see here in the header come form the collection. Please view the web documentary at http://www.chineseincuba.com/.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through collaboration with a professional genealogist. Includes heritage travel and tour resources.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
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AfroLatino Travel
The premier resource for the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean, facilitating diasporic social, cultural, economic and community-building exchanges, trips, and tours since 2010.
We are a network of Black Latin Americans based throughout the Americas. We facilitate travel, trips, ground tours, group trips, and itineraries focused on the historical African heritage and legacy and contemporary cultural manifestations and realities. -
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.
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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. -
DESCUBRE TU HISTORIA
Helping descendants from the Caribbean, Central, South and North American former Spanish colonies start the journey of healing and empowerment through the knowledge of their Family History.
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Legacy Quest Genealogy
Legacy Quest Genealogy specializes in Cuban ancestry research. I have a dedicated onsite researcher in Cuba who has collaborators throughout the island. They travel to civil registry offices, churches, cemeteries, and regional archives to locate records to build back family histories for my Cuban clients.
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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.
caribbean FAMILY ties.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through Caribbean communities with shared histories and genealogies.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.
SOCIAL MEDIA.
Uncover the rich lives of your Cuban ancestors through social media discussion forums, networks, groups, and pages.
To contribute a new resource or report a broken link, please message us here.