Trailblazing family historian Paul Crooks (author of Ancestors) traced his African forebears enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, 200 years ago. He traced his family back 6 generations to Ami Djaba who was living in the Krobo Mountain, Ghana. Paul’s acclaimed novel and appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? inspired a generation to start exploring Black and British ancestry and gathering information to make their family trees.
Paul was told that it would be impossible to trace records of slave-ownership let alone his African ancestors enslaved on plantations in Jamaica. “No one had tried because such records did not exist.” In the 1990’s, undeterred, he embarked on a journey of discovery that led from suburban North London to Jamaica and ultimately back to the Gold Coast of Africa; an effort that has brought him international recognition for his breakthroughs in African Caribbean genealogy research.
Paul will talk interactively about his journey and how he traced his roots.
More Hackney Listings MORE
Noughts & Crosses
Experience Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed novel Noughts & Crosses brought to life on stage in this powerful and thought-provoking…
Ballet Black at 25
Celebrate 25 years of groundbreaking dance with Ballet Black at 25, a powerful anniversary production from one of…
The Music Is Black: Celebrating Black Music in Britain
Join an all-star line-up for The Music Is Black: Celebrating Black Music in Britain, a powerful live concert…
Jah Makin It Happen: A Reggae Musical
Experience Jah Makin It Happen, a vibrant and uplifting reggae musical that tells a powerful story of migration,…
TWAWsi: The World As We See It
Experience TWAWsi: The World As We See It, a powerful double bill from ACE dance and music, redefining…
Lenny Henry: Still At Large
Join legendary comedian, actor and writer Sir Lenny Henry as he brings his highly anticipated new live show…