The history of the British Caribbean is explored in this exhibition through government documents, photographs and maps dating from the 17th century to the 1920s and discovered during a cataloguing project at The National Archives of the United Kingdom.

IntroductionFrom the start of European expansion into the Atlantic world, Britain fought other powers for territory in the Caribbean and many islands became part of the British Empire. The region experienced near eradication and expulsion of its indigenous populations by European powers. It was also on the receiving end of the largest enforced migration ever witnessed: the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Slavery and its resistance by enslaved Africans was an integral part of Caribbean history. In a remarkably short period of time and in the face of such extraordinary conditions, new cultures and identities were formed in the Caribbean.

This exhibition is based on Colonial Office documents held at The National Archives — home to records belonging to the British Government. The documents we have used in this exhibition are correspondence from administrators of local governments in the British West Indies, and date from 1692-1921. While the documents give an interesting insight into Caribbean history, they also show the views of local people, particularly those concerned with trade and in governance. Those in power were mainly of a particular class, social standing or political allegiance, and the documents reflect this bias. However, there are stories of a more diverse nature, and the Colonial Office archive does include voices from different parts of society, including indigenous and enslaved peoples, through to women and the poor.

The countries that are included in this project, which were at some time under British administration, are as follows:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bay Islands [Honduras], Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, St Croix, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, St Eustatius, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Havana Province [Cuba], Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Martinique, Montserrat, Nevis, Surinam, Tobago, Trinidad, the Turks & Caicos, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.


A selection of the documents available on-line

Account of the number of enslaved persons in the colony of Grenada, 1807 Cat ref: CO 101/45 f 190 Crown Copyright.

Despatch regarding medical expenses for enslaved Africans captured on French ship La Belle. St Kitts, 1816 Cat ref: CO 152/106 Crown Copyright.

List of 70 African immigrants who claimed return passage from Jamaica to Sierra Leone on board the Clarendon. Jamaica, 21 August 1861 Cat ref: CO 137/356/25 f 189 Crown Copyright.

Proclamation made by Commander in Chief in response to the New Year’s Day rebellion. Dominica, 1791 Cat ref: CO 71/19 Crown Copyright.

Reports from colonial authorities on subject of Caribs and enslaved Africans working together against slavery. St Vincent, 1777 Cat ref: CO 260/4 f 98 Crown Copyright.

Telegram giving permission to recruit candidates not of 'pure European descent' to British West Indies Regiment. Barbados, 1917 Cat ref: CO 28/292/37 f 186 Crown Copyright.

There are loads more. and for those of you in London you can veiw much more up close and personal at Kew.