The 8th Caribbean Symposium on Genealogy and History was staged in Anguilla, against a backdrop of growing interest in the search for ancestral and family lineages. Genealogy has become a hobby that inspires personal growth and empowerment and the conference connected genealogists, historians and culture enthusiasts from the Caribbean and around the world.
The theme of the two-day conference was “Diaspora: Journeys, Research & Reparations.” It was held on 12-13 October, coinciding with Indigenous Peoples weekend. This was a fitting tribute to the indigenous people of Dominica, with the recent inauguration of the first female head of the Kalinago Council. She was appointed by Dominica’s first female president who shares Kalinago heritage.
The conference featured an impressive line-up of presenters from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Puerto Rico, USVI, BVI, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, India, Nigeria, Ghana, USA, UK, and Canada. They inspired attendees with powerful discussions about the transformative potential of genealogy in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our place in history.
Acting Premier of Anguilla, Hon. Kenneth Hodge delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony and welcome remarks were delivered by Conference Chair Dr. Timothy Hodge of the Anguilla Genealogical Society and Co-Chair Ms. Jansie Webster of the Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society. The keynote address “The Wisdom of Our Ancestors” was delivered by Professor Kofi Asare Opoku of Ghana. There was a special recognition of the outstanding contributions to Anguilla’s written history and genealogical record by Justice Ian Donaldson Mitchell, CBE, QC (1946 – 2024).
The conference attracted virtual attendees from as far away as Kenya. It provided a platform for discussions on a broad range of topics, from how the Caribbean and other societies have been shaped by migration patterns, the India-West Indies cricket connection, to digital technology for conducting genealogy research.
“At some point in time, many people wonder, ‘where did my family come from?’ We want to highlight how different cultures contribute to who we are and help people learn how to do their own family history research. Genealogy is a dynamic tool for self-discovery, helping individuals connect with their roots and find meaning in their heritage. By delving into their family history, people can gain a deeper understanding of their cultural background and the intricate patterns that shape their identities,” said Dr. Timothy Hodge, President and Founder of the Anguilla Genealogical Society (AGS).
Dr Hodge attributes growing interest in searching for ancestry and family lineages, to the rise in popularity of direct-to-consumer DNA testing. “DNA helps track where your genes are coming from geographically and they’re able to refine the data as more participants come into the fold,” he said. He acknowledges that his own DNA test has helped him discover more about his family history.
Updates on the Great Anguilla Family Tree (TGAFT), a genealogical project launched under the Anguilla Genealogical Society (AGS) in 2021, were provided by Dr. Ronald Harrigan and Mr. Carl Harrigan. Through its educational programs, the AGS wants to provide support and guidance, as the tools for genealogical research continue to evolve. The potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the future of genealogy research and education was also discussed. AI can be leveraged to explore family history, find lost relatives and uncover patterns and explanations for certain talents, habits and idiosyncrasies. Without question, AI will be a great asset as the AGS continues to develop educational programs to assist the community with genealogy research.
Conference organizers have hailed the event a rousing success. They hope that the interest generated will help position the Caribbean in the thriving genealogy tourism market, where visitors travel to their ancestral homeland to learn about their family history. Sincere gratitude is extended to the organizers, sponsors, presenters and attendees of the conference.
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