Colin Jackson launches Caribbean Family History Day 2006

Colin Jackson launches Caribbean Family History Day 2006

28 November 2006

Colin Jackson, CBE has been helping black children to overcome the hurdles of finding out about your family history.  At the Caribbean Family History Day at The National Archives in Kew on Saturday 25 November, he took part in a discussion about his experiences on the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are? and the need for people to embrace and understand their heritage. 

Caribbean Family History Day aims to raise the profile of the information held within The National Archives, to encourage family history research among the black community and to empower young people to learn about black British historical icons through a tailored youth programme. The annual event, now in its third year of successful collaboration, was organised in conjunction with The National Archives´ community partner Every Generation Foundation. This year´s event tried to address the impact that family history research can have on individuals.

Colin Jackson said:

"Being on Who Do You Think You Are? affected me and my close friends in a very positive way. I hope that setting out to discover your own family story will affect you positively too. But black people´s history can be positive and negative in all sorts of different ways. Before you start tracing your family, you need to be assured in your own mind that you´re willing to accept whatever you find out about your past."

Colin also took part in a children´s workshop, speaking to them about the need to have positive role models, such as Olaudah Equiano the former slave turned public servant.  He emphasised with the children the importance of the legacy left by their history and the need to be proud of and understand your own heritage.

Other speakers at the event included award-winning producer/director Jackie Osei-Tutu, who recently made Colin´s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, prominent family historian Kathy Chater, and Paul Crooks, whose book Ancestors traced his family history from Jamaican heritage to roots in Ghana.

Natalie Ceeney, Chief Executive of The National Archives, said:

"Caribbean Family History Day is a fantastic event that The National Archives is proud to support.  Archives are relevant to every culture, and can tell fascinating stories to members of all generations. We hope that by engaging young people in family history it will encourage them to explore the treasure trove of resources available, as well as discovering more about their own identities."

Patrick Vernon, founder of Every Generation Foundation, said:

"Our work with The National Archives has been a great partnership in encouraging more people from the African Caribbean community to trace their family trees and explore their history. The Prime Minister´s recent statement expressing regret for Britain´s involvement in the slave trade provides a new opportunity for Caribbean family history to be taken more seriously and families in Britain who have a connection with the slave trade should now be encouraged to share information. This should provide positive help and assistance to black communities in tracing their family trees to the Caribbean and to Africa."

For more information about the Every Generation Foundation, visit the Every Generation website

Listen to a podcast presentation by Colin Jackson

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