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Black History: Tracing Caribbean Ancestry Back to the 1880s

Sunday 13th September 2026

Many Caribbean family histories can be traced back to the 1880s. Discover why this milestone reveals more than many realise.

Many people tracing Caribbean ancestry are surprised to discover that family lines can often be reconstructed to the late nineteenth century. Yet reaching the 1880s is rarely the end of the story. It opens a window onto family experiences, social change and historical events that shaped the generations who followed.

This online talk explores why the 1880s represent such an important milestone in Caribbean family history and what can be learned from ancestors living during this period. Through a documented family case study, genealogist and author Paul Crooks examines how Black history and family history can illuminate one another, revealing new perspectives on identity, migration and family connections.

Paul Crooks is a genealogist, author and speaker specialising in Black history and African-Caribbean ancestry. He is known for one of the earliest documented reconstructions of African-Caribbean family history traced from Britain to West Africa via the Caribbean using archival records. His work explores the connections between family history, identity and Black history across generations.

Paul is the author of A Tree Without Roots: The Guide to Tracing British, African and Asian-Caribbean Ancestry and the novel Ancestors. His research has been featured by the BBC and has helped thousands of people better understand their family histories and ancestral connections.

Drawing on more than thirty years of experience tracing African-Caribbean ancestry, Paul uses a documented family case study to explore what can be learned when Caribbean family lines are traced into the late nineteenth century.

What You’ll Gain

• A clearer understanding of how Caribbean family histories can often be traced back to the 1880s
• Greater insight into what can be discovered when family lines are extended into the late nineteenth century
• A deeper appreciation of how family history and Black history can help illuminate one another
• New perspectives on ancestry, identity and family connections across generations
• Increased confidence in understanding the significance of family discoveries

Who Is This For?

• Anyone interested in Caribbean family history
• People tracing African-Caribbean ancestry
• Family historians seeking historical context
• Those interested in Black history and the Caribbean experience
• Beginners and experienced researchers alike

Event Details:

Start Time: 7:00pm
Finish Time: 8:00pm

Tickets: From £5.00

Location: Online

Ticket packages include optional digital resources such as the African–Irish–Creole Caribbean Culture Guide, Descendants eBook and DNA Testing Demystified.

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