Haitian genealogy: Chery says it is difficult

11 January 1999

Hello Carline,

I got interested in genealogy as well and I must tell you , it's quite difficult to find info, the archives in Haiti are dissapearing little by little every day.The best way is by asking questions to elders in your family.That's how I gathered most of my documentation .Also, in towns like Jeremie, the population is quite endogamous.

I have been told that contrary to Bristish custom, the names were not given automatically to slaves but I could be wrong.

There's also an interesting fact in some regions, mostly in the North, where a man could be Anténor Verilus and his son would be Verilus Catrey, his grandson Catrey Jean, etc....

As for ways to find info, Jean-Paul Manuel has a very good site on Haitian genealogy at http://www.rootsweb.com/~htiwgw/. He invites every Haitian to contribute to this never ending piece of work.

On a final note, the study of genealogy makes one realize how stupid and unfounded class and colour prejudice is since the Haitian people is literally one big family.

Best,

Ralph Ch&@233;ry
Electrical Engineering
Class of 2001
Concordia University

raool@colba.net
http://www.colba.net/~raool