Introduction to West Indian Genealogy

A fast-paced introduction to the principles of West Indian genealogical research with a particular emphasis on methodologies and records pertinent to   family historians with African, East Indian and Chinese West Indian ancestors.

You will learn how generations can be linked together using vital records, church records, indentured contracts, parish registers, slave registers and much more. You will be introduced to online records, records available in Toronto and GTA libraries and archives and also to archives located in the West Indies.  You will also be introduced to the importance of historic timelines to your research. As an added bonus, you will be able to peruse a private collection of relevant books, maps and rare documents at break times during the workshop.

Instructor: Pooran Bridgelal

Pooran graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Caribbean Studies. He has spear-headed two Genealogy workshops at his local church in the past two years focusing mainly on the West Indies. He recently published an article regarding ‘Slavery and East Indian Indentureship.’ This was published in the 2012 Caribbean Students Union Journal (CARSSU) at the University of Toronto and another one is awaiting publication in the Fall (2013) titled ‘Complaints of the Slaves in Berbice, Guyana 1819-1823.’ Pooran also is a collector of rare books, maps and postcards from the West Indies.

 This course is full  Please e-mail courses@torontofamilyhistory.org to go on a waiting list.  

We hope to re-run this course early next year.

Toronto Branch runs a regular program of courses in a wide variety of subjects for genealogists at all levels of expertise. Visit our courses page for more information.

North York Central Library is wheelchair accessible. For more information about our policies on accessibility, cancellation and refunds, late and at-the-door registrations, and copyright, visit our courses page.