A vast collection of historical records detailing the lives of enslaved people in 20 former British colonies, including Mauritius, has been made available online. The collection, known as the Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers, comprises around 300,000 pages of documents covering the period from 1813 to 1840. These records were digitized and indexed by Ancestry in partnership with the University College London.
The records contain detailed information on individuals who were enslaved, including their names, ages, family ties, births, deaths, and transfers of ownership. Some documents also specify their place of birth. This online collection could enable thousands of descendants to discover their family history. The documents provide a valuable resource for researchers and individuals interested in tracing their ancestry.
The collection covers a range of former British colonies, including Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago. Mauritius is among the territories included in the collection. The records offer a unique insight into the lives of enslaved people during this period in history. By making these documents accessible online, Ancestry and the University College London aim to facilitate research and exploration of this significant aspect of human history.
The online collection is freely available to anyone with an Ancestry account. This accessibility will allow researchers, historians, and individuals interested in their family history to explore the records without restriction. The partnership between Ancestry and the University College London has made it possible to share this valuable historical resource with a wider audience.
Historians and researchers have welcomed the online release of these records, recognizing the significance of this collection for understanding the history of slavery in former British colonies. The documents provide a detailed and personal perspective on the lives of enslaved people, offering a poignant reminder of the human experience during this period.
The release of these records has the potential to shed new light on the history of slavery and its impact on individuals and communities. By exploring these documents, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and often painful history of slavery in former British colonies. This collection is an important resource for anyone interested in this aspect of human history.
The online collection of Former British Colonies Enslavement Registers is a significant step towards preserving and sharing historical records. This resource will be invaluable for researchers, historians, and individuals interested in tracing their ancestry or exploring this aspect of human history.
Key points
- The collection includes records from 20 former British colonies, including Mauritius, Jamaica, and Barbados.
- The records contain detailed information on individuals who were enslaved, including their names, ages, and family ties.
- The online collection is freely available to anyone with an Ancestry account.
