Caribbean genealogy research begins with understanding how colonial systems, naming traditions, and record-keeping practices shaped family history across the region. This section provides step-by-step guidance for beginners, explains Spanish and other colonial naming patterns, and introduces the key church, civil, and archival records used throughout the Caribbean.
So today I login to discover that Ancestry has implemented its new feature, Genetic Communities. Immediately I noticed that I belong to one community and wanted to see how they came about this. Looking at the layout of what it states, it tells me that I am genetically connected to those in Puerto Rico on…
If you have written to me and I have not responded, it is not that I am ignoring you. It simply means that I cannot keep up with the questions being asked. So knowing how frustrating it can be in researching your ancestry, I created a quick tutorial on how to view digitized records. Yes,…
I get many private messages on how to find records. I wanted to post a video that will help everyone to find records no matter where your family is from. The below video is the first that provides you with instructions on searching on the website. It is meant to be basic so that you…
One of the struggles that we deal with is trying to figure out when an ancestor from a specific region of the world occurred when reviewing your DNA results. 23andMe recently added a new feature to DNA results that will help many in determining when to search for a specific ancestor and where. The new…
Was hoping that I would be able to post one more island before classes start for me on Monday, however my weekend proved to be too busy. I will not be able to post again until Spring break as I’m in classes full time and studying for a certification exam. However, I failed to mentioned…
So now that you’ve had your DNA tested for genealogical purposes, what to do with it? One of the best free tools online that I’ve come across is GEDMatch. GEDMatch is a website that allows you to upload your DNA file, analyze it further, and provides an ability to find genetic DNA cousins who tested…
The LDS, which owns www.familysearch.org, provides you with resources to genealogical records. A simple search in their catalog, then ordering the film and visiting a local Family History Center (FHC) to view these films is very easy. I recommend that you should add one more step to this process. Remember that there may have been…
While I haven’t posted in quite awhile, I thought today would be the perfect time to update my blog. We all face challenges in our relationships with our spouses, significant other, our family members, and friends. One of the things I have discovered is that our ancestors are truly no different than any of us…
When I first started off researching and heard about Family Search’s website, I didn’t realize how much information it held. One such database is the International Genealogical Index also know as the IGI. The IGI contains millions of records that have been submitted by people that are directly related to the deceased person. The database…
One of the greatest ways of researching African ancestry in the Caribbean is by actually reading many history books and from different resources and countries. If you don’t have the time to go through so many books in the beginning then there is a shortcut. I found that UNESCO Publishing is the best shortcut to…
Logically you want to say that you are 50% from your mother and 50% from your father. The reality is that it isn’t exactly 50% from each parent. I am of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent and first-generation born in the US mainland while my husband is Haitian born. I had my husband and two…
In having my DNA done, one of things that I discovered is how my tree is nowhere near the size it should be. Although my family tree currently contains over 6,600 relatives, it is a far cry from what it should be displaying. The family tree I have is from many years of researching and…