I’ve put together this blog for chronicling some of the activities and memories from the days of British Guiana forward to present day Guyana.
Several others have also made excellent contributions:
John and Pauline Grimshaw
Peter Halder
Philip Jardim
Keith Gordon
Gwen
Dmitri Allicock
The more the merrier, so if you would like to write, or add pictures, or know someone, just drop me a line in the comments.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
 | Claudia on British Guiana |
 | helen marks on British Guiana |
 | Mala on British Guiana |
 | Patrice Jordon on British Guiana |
| Patrice Jordon on British Guiana |
 | Martin on British Guiana |
 | Debbie Roza-Mercier on British Guiana |
 | Karen Cumberbatch on British Guiana |
| Martin on British Guiana |
 | Josnne otto on Mackenzie Photos |
 | cwalshuk on British Guiana |
 | Taron on British Guiana |
| Taron on British Guiana |
 | Britt Trubridge on British Guiana |
| Britt Trubridge on British Guiana |
Guyana Then And Now 
I too lived in Watooka for a couple of years and was really interested in your pictures and comments. I was born 1951 so you are not too much younger than me and must have been around about the same time. We left when I was 10. My Dad worked for a British company on a contract with Demba. I think I may remember one of your sisters?
___________________________________
BobW (Blast from the past, couldn’t be better, Pauline I’ve sent you an email under seperate cover)
Comment by Pauline Grimshaw — August 5, 2008 @ 2:02 pm |
Hello,
I recently viewed some pictures of the launching of the R.H.Carr and at the extreme right there is a gentleman who seems to be of African descent. Folklore has it that my grandfather went to England to bring back the R.H.Carr and I wonder if the person in the photograph is he. His name was John Kennedy Peazer and worked as the chief engineer on the R.H.Carr. He died in 1945.
Comment by Augustus Rodney — August 11, 2010 @ 3:59 pm |
I have only recently come across this site whilst researching the Dathorne family. I did not know that John Peazer served as engineering office on the RH Carr, but you are confusing father and son. John Kennedy was the son of John Osborne Peazer, my maternal grandfather, who died in 1945. As to the picture, I am unsure as to whether it is a photo of John Osborne but, John had come to study in England in the early 20th century. He returned to Guyana in 1909.
Comment by Michael Dathorne — August 18, 2015 @ 11:37 am
There was a “hotel” mostly for temporary staff just out side of Watooka, what happened to it, is it still there…anyone knows the name thanks
Comment by wally n — September 6, 2021 @ 9:35 pm |
Hi Bob,
We have visited each other few occasions and started to go through some of the beautiful photos here and I have to say your site has lots of beautiful pictures and full of information and tips. I would like to add your blog to my blogroll so that we can visit each other more often.
_______________________________________
BobW (Chrisy, I’ve definitely been lurking on your blog. It’s fun to get a perspective from the other side of the world.)
Comment by visuallens — October 26, 2008 @ 9:54 am |
Happy New Year, Bob!
Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — January 1, 2009 @ 12:36 pm |
Hi Bob,
I understood that you grew up in British Guyana. My father , native German, lived there in the late 50’s and worked for Fogarty Ltd. He died a few days ago. I found a love letter from his former fiancee and a recent letter to find out her current address. Even if she is not my mother I would love to contact her about his death.
Can you help me searching for her?
If yes, I would be very delighted!
Thank you so much
Sabine from Germany.
________________________________
BobW (Sabine,Your father and I might have crossed paths when I was but a boy. I feel for your quest of your fathers roots and will help in any way I can, but suspect there is not much I can do. Maybe some other Fogarty’s employees may cross this site in time and can get hooked up with you.
One of the things you might do is check out another of my sites devoted to old time Guyana http://watookacoffeeshop.wordpress.com/. Maybe some of the group can be of some help?
Here is an old picture of Fogarty’s from one of my Guyana buddies.)
Comment by sabine — June 11, 2009 @ 9:14 am |
Unfortunately, I didn’t know any Fogarty employees, as the company had left Mackenzie before we arrived. They had started a business making hollow tile bricks out of clay from the bauxite mines. Our first house on Riverside Drive was one of five DEMBA staff houses built from Fogarty brick.
Dad
Comment by Evan & Katy — June 11, 2009 @ 7:58 pm |
Hi,
I’ve been trying to find a wonderful unusual spirited photo to use as the image for a postcard that my group makes for the annual Lake Superior Day (thrid Sunday every July). Stumbled on your web site and am DELIGHTED with your shot of the boy jumpinginto Sinclair Cove. PERFECT!
I print about 1,500 copies of a free postcard that we offer at no charge to those who are holding events for the public on that day. Can we use your image? If so, what text would you like me to print on the card back to credit you?
THANKS A LOT!
Lissa
lakesuperiorday@northland.edu
Comment by Lissa — June 15, 2009 @ 2:42 pm |
Hi Bob,
I recall that the name of daughter of the Wong family that lived next to the Crescent Cinema. Her name was Celina Wong. She got married to Carl Harewood. There was also an Evan Wong motorboat accessories store on High Street not far from Radio Demerara. When I was in Ottawa (1980-1983), I lived at 96 Howick Street, Rockliffe Park. I am amazed that as a Guyanese, I never met you. I had thought I had met all Guyanese in Ottawa. My sister-in-law Patricia Small ( once married to Leslie Lui- Hing) and her family live in Ottawa. You suggested that perhaps my Christianburg/Wismar/Mackenzie short tales may be published on a website. Since I lack the technological skills to do it, would you be so kind as to send me your e-mail address if you don’t mind and I will send you the texts. You can then put them on the website. Maybe visitors to the site would enjoy reading them and have a good laugh since they are all funny. You have my e-mail address : peterhalder@hotmail.com
Sincerely
Peter
Comment by Peter Halder — September 10, 2009 @ 12:41 pm |
Great archives on Mackenzie. Apparently an Evan Wong, J.H. Evan Wong (originally Wong Yan – Sau) held large tracks of land (land grants) on the Demerara River which proved invaluable for bauxite. (ref. Walter Rodney – A History of the Guyanese Working People, 1881 – 1905; and Cecil Clamenti – The Chinese of British Guiana (Georgetown 1915)).
Apparently many of the bauxite mines on the Demerara River were on land grants which were held by J.H. Evan Wong. He subsequently received significant payments for these land grants. This family apparently had close relations with Alcan and Arvida.
Are you by any chance part of this family or is it merely a coincidence.
Bernard Gouveia,
Spain
_________________________
BobW (Yup, I’m part of the family that you refer to but exactly how all those ancestors fit in is still not clear to me)
Comment by bernard gouveia — September 18, 2009 @ 7:52 am |
I am trying to locate the architect/planner, Bernie Gouveia, who worked at the caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank. Can anyone help me?
Tony Gibbs
Comment by Tony Gibbs — February 4, 2017 @ 9:01 pm |
@Tony, this is very late response I see Bernie commented in 2009, did someone connect you with him. If you haven’t already found Bernie, perhaps I can help. However I would need to know why, since the Gouveia’s are particularly private. email me – chrisdb.dev@gmail.com
PS – it’s unlikely i’ll return to this site again, so you would have to email me directly in order for me to respond.
Comment by CDB — October 1, 2018 @ 10:29 pm
I am wondering who owns the pictures taken at in and around McKenzie, I would like permission to use the picture of the Grumman for my upcoming Memior, I travelled in that aircraft to Rupununi with Art Williams in the fifties but we were not fortunate enough to get pictures. I would appreciate this gesture of good will so kindly awaiting your reply.
Helena Martin (DaSilva)
_________________________
BobW (Helena, I’ve sent you an email. Where the photo is not mine I’ve shown the owner in the caption)
Comment by Helena Martin (DaSilva) — September 23, 2009 @ 7:24 am |
Hi Bob I am trying to find your brother, my old MHS buddy Scott Wong. Kindly give him my email address. Your site was sent to me by another old MHS buddy. Great stuff, brings back loads of memories. Especially those camping trips that myself, Scott and others used to make in the jungle.
_________________________
BobW (Will do)
Comment by Donald A Miggins [ Merchant] — September 27, 2009 @ 7:53 pm |
Sir Hello there Great to see these old pics of my home town I have recently been taking a lot of pics and posting them on facebook of Linden as itis today and would very much like to use some of your pics to do side by side comparisons of what you have and what it is today if it is ok with you, you can check my pics out on Facebook name: Allan Bakker I promise to acknowledge your pics as your work and your website as well. There seems to be an interest in Lnden and what has been going on here by those ut of the country and I just thought that it would be a good idea to d a then and now you your blessings and consent on this. Thanks for your reply.
Sincerely
Allan Bakker
_____________________________________
BobW (Allan, Sharing is good, email in the mail)
Comment by Allan Bakker — October 5, 2009 @ 1:44 pm |
I was born at Mackenzie Hospital and complete my education at Mackenzie Shool in 1954, but later leave for Georgetown to be trained as Motor Engineer with the Rootes Group. I later return to Mackenzie to commission the first Fire Engine to use at Mackenzie in 1957.
If left Guyana the same to join the Rootes motor Group in England, my early education at Mackenzie has help to accomplish many things, Flght Simulator Specialist in Royal Air Force where I served 12 years, a Brain and Body Scanner Specialist with EMI Medical Department and worked many hospitals around the world.
I personally have alot to be thankful for my early upbring at Mackenzie which has given me a solid foundation to build a successful career in England.
My father was James Thomas General Foreman for the exploration DEPARTMENT THAT CARRYOUT THE DRILLING TO LOCATE THE BAUXITE.
To look at those photographs really brough back memories of my boyhood day, many Thanks.
By the way Iam now a Professional Toastmaster and a Member of the Federation OF Professional Toastmasters in England.
Keep up the good.
Kind Regards. Derrick B Thomas
Comment by Derrick B Thomas — October 22, 2009 @ 4:08 pm |
Hi
I am interested to read the story about the R.H. Carr built in 1927 on the River Dee near Liverpool. I would be interested in contacting Pauline Grimshaw to discuss how I can help promote their preservation campaign for the ship on my Transport Britain website and also find out more about their plans. Thanks.
Can you put me in touch with them please? Thanks.
Alex
______________________________________
BobW Will do.
Comment by Alex Naughton — April 17, 2010 @ 7:57 pm |
There are a few stories about Guiana, written by A. Hyatt Verrill, circ. 1920 on my blog. Some are historical, and some are fictional. Here is a link to Glimpses
http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2010/01/glimpses-of-guiana-wilderness-1918.html
and one to a Verrill Index.
http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2010/01/ahverrill-his-story-so-far.html
Doug Frizzle
Comment by stillwaterwoods — June 25, 2011 @ 4:45 pm |
Since my index to Verrill’s stories does not describe the contents and countries, I thought I should list the other pages referring to British Guiana.
Trail of the White Indians= http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2011/07/trail-of-white-indians.html
Remarkable Mound in British Guiana = http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2010/01/remarkable-mound-in-guyana-1917.html
Prehistoric Mounds and Relics = http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2010/01/prehistoric-mounds-and-relics.html
My Boat Trip Through the Guiana Wilderness = http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-boat-trip-through-guiana-wilderness.html
My Boat Trip Through the Guiana Wilderness-PDF-w photos = http://issuu.com/frizzled/docs/guiana_wilderness
Among the Amazons = http://stillwoods.blogspot.com/2011/06/among-amazons.html
Comment by stillwaterwoods — August 4, 2011 @ 3:03 pm |
Hello
My Grandfather was Charles Yong Hing (owner of C. Yong Hing Supermarket in Georgetown). I recently came across a picture of the supermarket on Flikr and inquired as to where I could possibly get other pictures of the Supermarket as well as pictures of Bamboo Gardens (the restaurant also owned by my Grandfather). I was directed to try and post something here and perhaps someone would see this and be able to help me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as we cannot seem to find any pictures of either one of the properties mentioned.
Comment by Kim — August 11, 2011 @ 2:26 am |
Hi Kim
I went to School with Pamela and Patricia Yong Hing at the Ursuline Convent in Georgetown! Are you a relative? We ordered Chinese food many times from your Grandad’s Restaurant. It was the best. As well as the grocery store! My maiden name was Johnson! I live in California. I see the above date, quite old! I hope you can still get this! Oh by the way if either of those ladies are still around we were Nora and Jean Johnson.
Have a good evening!
Comment by Nora Kawalec (Johnson) — November 18, 2016 @ 4:04 am |
Hello
Just came across your very interesting site. I wonder if any one can help me trace my family the surname is Croal, my grandfather was James Augustus Croal born in 1895 in Georgetown Guyana. We believe his fathers name was Adallon and he was a carpenter but also there were printers in the family. He came to England when he was about 15 worked as a merchant seaman and married and stayed in England but never really spoke about his life in Guyana. I am researching my family tree and would be so happy if we could find family in Guyana or information about my grandfather and his life before he arrived in England . Anything would be very much appreciated
Comment by Annette Wentworth — September 1, 2011 @ 3:40 pm |
I don’t know if it will be of any help but there is a Croal Street in Georgetown, Guyana between South Road (north) and Brickdam (south). There also used to be a Croal’s Drug Store at Norton and John Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. You may also check the Guyana Telephone Directory to find out if there are any Croal’s listed.
Peter Halder
Comment by Burnett Halder — September 6, 2011 @ 2:27 pm |
Just came across this info. Kenneth McNicol Croal, DOB January 20, 1933, died March 21, 2011, Husband of Elsie, Father of Liesl, Christopher and Amanda. Check
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/memoriams/03/23/kenneth-croal
Peter
Comment by Burnett Halder — September 6, 2011 @ 2:40 pm |
Hi Annette,
Me again. There are 19 Croals listed in the Guyana Telephone Directory. You may wish to contact them to obtain info about your family. To access the Directory go to
http://www.gtt.co,gy/whitepages/search.php
When the site opens, type in Croal in the Search space and the 19 names will come up on 2 pages. Hope this helps.
Peter Halder
Comment by Burnett Halder — September 6, 2011 @ 2:53 pm |
So sorry. I made a mistake in typing the Directory website address. There should be a full stop after co and not a comma.
Peter Halder
Comment by Burnett Halder — September 6, 2011 @ 2:55 pm |
Fantastic thank you so much for this information will get on to it asap. If you come across anything else please let me know. So very grateful
Kind regards
Annette
Comment by Annette Wentworth — September 7, 2011 @ 12:21 pm |
Hi Annette, I’m a Croal. I don’t know if this helps but my father did tell me about some cousins he had in either Agricola or in Berbice (can’t remember exactly where in Guyana). However I’m not sure it’s the same person but possibly descendants of your Grandfather since the ages would be too great. The James Croal cousin he mentioned was a Mathematician.
Comment by Amanda — January 2, 2013 @ 5:27 pm
Hi,
I hapened on your site when looking for an explanation of the word ‘warrup’, which I couldn’t find in Allsopp’s Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage and which I found in one of Peter Halder’s stories. Thanks Peter, and I enjoyed your tales very much, they took me back a long time!
The question arose, I believe in the comments of a visitor to the site, of how the draglines Lord and King got their names. Might it be because these surnames belonged to people employed in the service of the government? (An E.H. King was Commissioner of the North West District and W.T. Lord – my godfather incidentally – was a surveyor, in the 1920s.) And someone might have thought the names properly majestic, as befitted these two imposing draglines.
My father, C.H.Parsley, was a surveyor in the same period, becoming, in the 1940s at different times, District Engineer in New Amsterdam (Berbice) and West Demerara. He had an abiding interest in geology and was in the 1950s the Manager of the Columbium Corporation in British Guiana, a columbite mining operation established in the USA.
My mother was Rita Cendrecourt, well-known in the Georgetown of the 1920s and 1930s as a soprano in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.
I currently live in a village not far from Málaga, in Spain. It was a pleasant surprise to discover your site.
Regards,
Mike Parsley
Comment by puigpantxin — September 8, 2011 @ 4:21 pm |
Cendrecourt was the name of a major store in GT. There was also a Cendrecourt Drug Store at Ketley and Broad Streets, GT, Charles Cendrecourt, Chemist and Druggist. And the first Policewoman in Guyana was Diane Cendrecourt, PW 1. Additional info online: There was a Henrietta Augusta Parsley (nee Cendrecourt) born December 4, 1901. Her father was Joseph Cendrecourt and mother Catherine Cendrecourt.
Comment by Burnett Halder — September 10, 2011 @ 6:15 pm |
Diane Cendrecourt was my aunt !
Comment by Christine Cendrecourt — February 18, 2015 @ 8:27 pm |
Hi, Beatrice Constance Carter married Joseph Cendrecourt and one of their daughters was my mother Henrietta (Rita).
Comment by Mike Parsley — July 12, 2021 @ 6:12 pm
Hi,
Henriettea Augusta Cendrecourt was my mother. She married my father, Clifford Hugh Parsley, in 1938 I think it was.
Best wishes,
Mike Parsley
Comment by puigpantxin — September 11, 2011 @ 5:08 am |
This is a few years later, but I am trying to find information on the Cendrecourt family. My mother is Margaret Knight, nee Davis, and her grandmother was Catherine Murdock Cendrecourt. I believe she had a sister named Henrietta (Hetta)? Does this sound possible?
Thanks very much!
Toni Knight
Comment by Toni Knight — December 16, 2015 @ 4:58 pm |
I miss you so much Dr. Faunda Campbell. This is Jessica Harold girl. You were my doctor so how could you just up and leave like that? I wish you would’ve told me before you just left like that. I know you’re going on to Linden Hospital Complex. You know I had one son this year and another son on the way this November. Get in touch with me wgen you can. I’m having my baby shower on October 16th. My e-mail info is: jayharold10@yahoo.com
Wish the best for you and good luck!
Comment by jessica harold — October 7, 2011 @ 7:39 pm |
I recently came across a notice in Stabroek News, 2007, of the 100th birthday of Gwen Kirkpatrick.
Gwen was the wife of Keith Kirkpatrick, the first Postmaster General, and a friend of my father’s, Clifford Parsley, surveyor, civil and mining engineer.
A considerable correspondence, maintained by the two men between Guyana and California, where my father ended his days, was apparently lost when Keith Kirkpatrick died.
Does anyone know whether Gwen is still living?
Comment by puigpantxin — October 8, 2011 @ 7:58 am |
I am a Guyanese living in the UK for the past 30 years. I was born in 1960 and my best time of BG was during the 60’s when it was a colony, This website brings lots of memory of the olden days. This is the best I have seen of Guyana. Keep the good work going. Wish to see more photos of old Guyana. My wife was born here and I kept telling her about the old days and how nice it was back then.
Comment by Gary Naipaul — December 20, 2011 @ 11:35 pm |
Hi Kim: I am responsing to you note on Charles Yong Hing and photos of his supermarket, Bamboo Gardens Restaurant and Roof Top Night Club. During my stay in Guyana, I was a frequent visitor to the Restaurant and on Saturday to the Roof Top Night Club. I my friend Godfrey Chin has photos of both. You can contact him at his e-mail address godchin2@gmail.com Actually Yong High began his business, grocery and restaurant at Regent and Alexander Streets.long before he moved to Camp Street. I regret the lateness in applying for I only came across your note a few minutes ago.
Comment by Peter Halder — December 21, 2011 @ 2:26 am |
Hi….
My father, Robert (Bob) Devlin worked for Reynolds Aluminumn the mid to late 50’s. I lived there with my mother, Betty Devlin and three siblings. I went to school in Barbados but have many fond memories of my time spent there. Does anyone out there remember us? I would really like to hear from you.
Penny Devlin Matheson
penny0425@gmail.com
Comment by Penny Devlin Matheson — January 11, 2012 @ 9:20 pm |
Hello,
I have just been directed to this site by a distant family member. I’m doing some research for my mother-in-law who is trying to trace her family history. Her maiden name was Patricia Fernandes and she was born in Georgetown in the early 1930s. Her father’s name was Ovid Fernandes, and her mother’s name was Muriel (maiden name Tucker), although she was often called Dolly. Pat has sisters called Norma and Benita. Other family members were Aurelia Gumbs (a nurse), and Muriel had a sister (Christian name unknown) who married an Isaacs. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?
Julie Smith
Comment by Julie Smith — May 2, 2012 @ 7:49 pm |
Hi Julie,
I know you wrote your note a long time ago and hopefully you receive this message. Dolly was my Mother’s aunt. Dolly had 2 sisters (Mavis and Gretchen) and 3 brothers (Eric, Joseph, and Steven). My Mom is Gretchen’s daughter. Her name is Carol Mitchell (nee Edwards). My Mom remembers Patricia and her sisters, Norma and Benita. We have been wondering and looking for Dolly’s family for a long time. Hope to hear from you.
Amanda
Comment by Amanda Mitchell — July 25, 2014 @ 6:44 pm |
I would like to suggest you contact Mr Chris Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, John Fernandes Ltd., 24 Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 592-227-3344: Fax No. 592-226-1887. A FAX to Chris Fernandes is advised.
Comment by Peter Halder — May 3, 2012 @ 4:40 pm |
Thanks Peter, I will try contacting him. Julie
Comment by Julie Smith — May 7, 2012 @ 2:21 pm |
Hello ,
Congratulations on an excellent site .
I would like to know how to get copies of some of the photos used ( by Pauline ) so could some please email me on jonathan@dwmanagement.co.uk to discuss .
Many thanks,
Jonathan Phang
Comment by Jonathan Phang — June 7, 2012 @ 1:14 pm |
Hello and sorry to bug you. My questions revolve around my grandfather Alexander Vitte who emigrated to the U.S. From Germany with the help of Ralph Sexton who I believe started Isthmian Airways, Inc. in the 1930’s, my grandfather was a pilot so I think he was one of his pilots for Isthmian. He was also sent to British and or French Guyana to look for gold for him and was given an account to draw from and actually brought back some gold in a bottle and a funny related journal. So they found some and he told me at the time all they had to do was poor mercury into the sand and it would draw the gold into a nugget and he had several of these. Anyway I have some cool pictures, he left me a bunch of items but I am most curious about 5 crocodile or caiman teeth that are scribed with different symbols, one looks like a family with pets, another looks like two animals one with tail up and the other down, another has a turtle, another a scorpion. There are some war clubs, a carved canoe paddle, a necklace of capybara teeth and another of nut shells, a woven container that has poison darts and so on. I can’t match up any of the items by just searching on the internet except for the dart container so I’m was hoping to get a little expert help? Anyway, I know you are probably very busy but I’m just trying to identify the stuff so I can pass it on (identified) to my kids. Any help would be appreciated and I can send pictures if you request. Thanks, Sean McArthur
Comment by mcarthurparks.com — August 25, 2012 @ 4:00 pm |
Hi, My grandfather, Burton Brown Barber, was also a pilot for Isthmian in the 30’s. I have many pictures and artifacts of the time. Came across your post right now while doing some internet research. I’d love to share info + picturs back and forth. Regards, Jeremy Barber
Pls email me at jbarber@sun-tech.biz and barberfour@verizon.net becuase i’m not sure I’ll find this website again to retrive your message.
Comment by Jeremy Barber, South Easton, Massachusetts, USA — December 21, 2013 @ 6:14 pm |
Jeremy, I sent you a couple of emails so you may want to check your junk email folder. My email is sean@mcarthurparks.com and phone is 781 500 0266 if you’d like to text. I would very much like to share what I have. Thanks, Sean
Comment by pinkshanty — February 16, 2014 @ 5:51 pm
Dear Blogger/Editor (BobW?)
I am very interested in having a chat with you. I am an historian working on the history of bauxite and aluminum around the world, and have come across your outstanding blog. I can be reached through my university email below. Great work! Very very interesting.
Comment by Brad Cross — September 17, 2012 @ 1:08 pm |
Brad,
Two references for your info:
* Company Towns In The Caribbean: A Preliminary Analysis of Christianburg/Wismar/Mackenzie (booklet) by the late Dr Cedric H. Grant, a former Professor at Waterloo University, Canada and Guyana Ambassador to the U.S.A. published in 1970. Have no idea where copy can be obtained.
* Nationalisation of Guyana’s Bauxite: The Case of ALCAN by Dr M. Shahabuddeen, former Guyana Attorney-General and until recently, a Judge on the International Court of Justice. It was published in 1981 by the Ministry of Information of Guyana. It may be available at the Georgetown Public Library.
Peter
Comment by Peter Halder — September 18, 2012 @ 2:34 pm |
i am looking mr. FRANK GILES he was the post master general in guyana
Comment by gordon kennedy — January 1, 2013 @ 6:23 pm |
I am also interested in locating any members of the Giles family. Frank Giles – had four sons and a daughter, namely Frank Jr., Phillip, Keith and Johann his daughter’s name was Diane. The family immigrated to the US when I was very young. They lived on New Market Street next door to what was then the department of Housing and Planning. Keith Giles, Abilar Reece (whose father worked at the Planning office as an architect hung out many an afternoon under the Giles’s house in the garage fixing bicycles to race on the Parade Ground.
Comment by Leslie Gonsalves — July 9, 2015 @ 5:09 am |
I am also interested in finding the son Phillip Giles who attended Charlestown Secondary School with me in the late 60’s early 70’s. My name is Joan Persaud and my email address is philomena_208@yahoo.com
Comment by Joan Persaud — February 2, 2016 @ 4:23 pm
Hello Gordon, I do remember you my father Frank Giles who passed away in December 1982 used to invite you to our home especially during the holidays to dine with our family.l was made aware of your post on this blog by my nephew Matthew who is my brother Keith’s oldest son (Keith passed away in March of 2018) and this event happened due to us gathering after the passing of Frank’s widow Dora who departed this world July 7th 2019.I am Philip and it would be great hearing from you,my email address is pgls716@yahoo.com
Comment by renaissanceone — July 8, 2019 @ 10:26 pm |
I have sent an email to Gordon with your request…
Comment by Pirai — July 9, 2019 @ 2:08 pm
Hello,
My grandfather was Major Henwood. He used to conduct the Police Band in the Botanical Gardens. If anyone has a picture of this I would love to see it. I left Guyana when I was 14yrs., 1966. Have tried to contact my best friend Clement Farreia but to no avail. Thanks Alan Vanier, Cornwall, England
Comment by Alan Vanier — January 15, 2013 @ 5:07 am |
Ok Alan, your grandfather Eric and your Grandma ” Billie” were dear friends of my parents, Vernon and Vivian Johnson. We lived at .44 Main Street and 27 Main Street many years ago. Now tell me is your Mum Philippa? If so I am in touch with your
Aunt Erica in Toronto. I know your aunt Viv pased away. Was sorry to hear that.! Your Grandad’s nickname was ” snakehips” I too wish I had pictures of the old B.G I left when I was 17. Please let me know if you get this. Oh your Grandad also played at the Seawall and conducted all the marching Bands for the Police Bands. He and your Grandma were lovely people. So was your great Grandma, her Mother. However can’t remember her name now. Are you in touch with Erica? I know the name Vanier but it has been many years. I am very old but still kicking and here on this site. Good luck trying to find photographs. Virtually impossible. Nora (Johnson) Kawalec Irvine, California
Comment by Nora kawalec — April 28, 2013 @ 2:49 am |
Hello Nora, I think this is the first time I have seen your comments!! If I have replied before forgive me. My mum is Philippa, she is still alive but is a ‘creaking gate’! My Great Granma was a Moir, she died in here late 80s when I was 5-6 yrs old. Aunt Erica is in Toronto, so is my other brothers and sisters. i.e. Yvonne, Michael, Desmond (Peter) and Anita. Sorry it has taken so long to reply, thank you.
Regards Alan Vanier.
Comment by Alan H Vanier — July 7, 2014 @ 3:46 pm
Hi Alan, I am in touch with Dohne as well, we just got through chatting via e- Mail! It has been eons since I have been on this site! I send your Mom e-mails as well! If you get this , one question? Were you able to scare up any photographs of your grandad? Just asking! Take care! Ask your Mom is she remembers me! I know she’ll say yes!
Comment by Nora Johnson Kawalec — May 17, 2015 @ 1:22 am
Hi again Alan, FYI I was just on the phone with Dohne! Your Mom and I send e-mails to each other now and again! It’s fun after all these years! Sure you on Facebook? If not you should try it. Lots of people you may know. Including Dohne!
Comment by Nora Kawalec — July 10, 2015 @ 12:23 am
Alan,
it’s just possible that your grandfather taught me to play the clarinet in about 1954 before I went to England to secondary school with my brothers David and Michael.
(Clifford) Max Parsley
Comment by Max Parsley — October 30, 2015 @ 11:29 pm |
Hi Alan, just now seeing your comment. Major Henwood is also the grandfather of my brother-in-law Mark Teixiera who lives in Canada. Mark is an awesome guitar player. His son Adam, currently lives in the UK and is also a musician (drummer). Are you in contact with Mark?
Comment by Frances Hill — August 14, 2019 @ 4:22 am |
Hi Bob… I discovered your blog by accident when I was looking surfing the net for some stuff from Linden to put on my Facebook page. Seeing the pictures of old Mackenzie has brought back some memories of childhood where I barely remember some of the scenes. Thanks for the memories,
At present I live and work in China and get very little time to return home often,
I hope you don’t mind if I post some of the pictures on my page. Of course, I will acknowledge that they came from your blog.
Just yesterday I decided to start a blog on word press… I’m really glad to see you and so many others there 🙂
Thank you.
Comment by Keith Whyte — February 14, 2013 @ 9:46 am |
Good evening Mr. Whyte! I am interested to know if you have any knowledge of a Tee Tee Whyte from Industrial Hamlet or Sandhills? I am researching descendants of Ebenezer MEUSA.. My spelling may not be correct since no one living has ever seen her and her nephew Joseph Meusa, who recently died at age 104, couldn’t remember her either.. Thanks…
Comment by Winston Meusa — July 8, 2018 @ 4:02 am |
Hi my name is Cathy Rubin (penname C M Rubin) and I was born in British Guyana in 1958. I would like to get a few good pictures of some of the main sites in Georgetown at that time. Can you help? I live in New York and I am a writer. You can also find me on Facebook Cathy M Rubin and I will leave my email below. My mother’s family was the Fitt family who lived at 26 Lamaha Street. They also owned the Shu All store and ran other businesses in town. Please contact me. My best Cathy
Comment by Cathy Rubin — March 2, 2013 @ 9:33 pm |
Cathy,
I suggest you speak with the Deputy Consul-General for Guyana in New York Mr M.R. Khan. The Consulate-General’s address is 370 Seventh Avenue, Room 402, NY, NY 10001. The tel No. is 1-212-947-5119.
Comment by Peter Halder — March 4, 2013 @ 12:57 pm |
Cathy: Additionally, you may visit the Guyana website at http://www.guyana.org/ and view the pages listed on the Home Page : Guyana Photo Gallery and Guyana Handbook.
Comment by Peter Halder — March 4, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
Hi Cathy,
The Guyana Deputy Consul General in New York told me you spoke with him.
I have found a website which has photos of Guyana during 1959-1961. It is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30593522@NO5/sets/72157611815735664/
you my wish to visit it and to view the photos.
By the way, I know Shu All very well. It was on Camp Street between Charlotte and Regent Streets. I bought a pair of brown suede shoes there in 1956. I knew one of the sales clerks a Miss Peggy Moshette.
Peter
Comment by Peter Halder — March 8, 2013 @ 11:00 pm
Cathy,
If there is a problem with the link above you can google:
British Guiana 1959-1961 – a set on Flickr
Peter
Comment by Peter Halder — March 8, 2013 @ 11:15 pm |
Hello Peter – I really want a photo of the store my Grandfather RJ Fitt co-founded with his Father in Law Manoel Da Silva. Do you know of anyone who has a photo of Shu All in Camp Street (or originally in Water Street)? Thank you so much Peter and I hope to pay a courtesy call to Mr Evans at the embassy at some point (I am a journalist and very busy). Mr. Khan was kind and helpful and I thank you for connecting me. C M Rubin (Cathy!)
Comment by Cathy Rubin — March 8, 2013 @ 11:21 pm |
One of your relatives Victor Fitt still. Lives in Guyana. He is alson on You Tube. You can see a picture of him on it! Good luck!
Comment by Nora kawalec — April 29, 2013 @ 4:27 pm |
Thank you for sharing these memories. Both my gg grandfather Hugh Sproston Sr, and g grandfather Hugh SprostonJr. spent many years in British Guiana during the 1800″s. Very, very interesting.
Comment by Joy Unterlander — May 24, 2013 @ 10:31 pm |
Bob, I misplaced Katy’s email address.She had provided me with some information of your grandfather’s ranch on the berbice river. the ranch was at Torani. I am interested in the manager , a Mr. Magan or Meigon or Maguhn. Evelyn Waugh in “Ninety Two Days” called him a Belgian. Could you be kind enough to give me a broader description of this man? My email is Kenyon@bellnet.ca.
Roger Kenyon
Comment by Roger Kenyon — April 7, 2014 @ 2:42 pm |
Hi coul be possible he was my great grand father Rodolfo Maguhn.
Comment by Ileana — July 25, 2018 @ 12:15 pm |
Hi BobW:
About 4 years ago I posted a comment regarding my Grandfather James Ramsahoye and was in communication with someone about him but now when I search the site for “Ramsahoye” I find nothing. Do you delete the posts if they are old?
I would like to know how and where to search birth, death, marriage, baptismal, etc. records so that I find out about my grandparents and my family history.
Anyone out there knows how to “search” Guyanese statistical records? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I am searching for information on James Ramsahoye who is my grandfather and the grandfather of Fenton Ramsahoye, Littleton Ramsahoye, Walter Ramsahoye, Rueben Ramsahoye, Iris Ramsahoye and several others. My mother does not know and is now very old and all of James Ramsahoye’s children are deceased except for my mother.
Also my paternal grandmother was Hermina Gonsalves and all her children are dead and I would like to know if anyone out there knows anything about her or her family. She had several children all of whom are deceased: Bridgette Gonsalves (Gomes), Jerry Gonsalves (Gomes), Alma Gomes, Agnes Gomes (married Joseph Gouveia brother of Ulric Gouveia -radio announcer and Patricia Gouveia). When Hermina died around 1934 (I think) my father Ivan Joseph was placed in a Catholic orphanage (or boy’s school) in or near Plaisance (anyone know of such a place? Alma and Agnes went to live with Amy (the aunt of Joseph, Ulric and Patricia. — Patricia married Jerry Carvalho). Jerry Gonsalves Gomes died in a drowning accident sometime around 1971 to 1973.
Thanks
Anna
Comment by Anna — July 5, 2014 @ 8:01 pm |
Anna, I hope you are still reading this blog. I am researching my husband’s grandmother Carolyn Foster Foster who married Manoel Clement and after his death, Hubert Alfred Thompson. Today I was told that her sister was married to Fenton Ramsahoye’s uncle. Unfortunately, I do not know the name of her sister or of Mr. Ramsahoye’s uncle. Please let me know if you can help. Even having the names of Ramsahoye’s parents may help me search in the correct direction.
Sonia
Comment by Sonia — June 3, 2018 @ 4:46 pm |
Good evening Anna! To say I am surprised is an understatement, I am interested in knowing more about Fenton Ramsahoye’s parents because his mother or grandmother was a MEUSA I am told.. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I am researching the descendants of Ebenezer MEUSA from Industrial Hamlet or Sandhills, Upper Demerara River.. To hear from one of his relatives is a joy, THANKS…. For your information my aunt Margaret Meusa was married to a Mr. Gonsalves and I have no information as to whether they had children.. I hope we can help each other, as it seems we may have similar family interest…
Anna I believe I may have sent my reply to the wrong person,if I did please excuse me..
Comment by Winston Meusa — December 29, 2018 @ 10:21 pm
Good evening Anna! To say I am surprised is an understatement, I am interested in knowing more about Fenton Ramsahoye’s parents because his mother or grandmother was a MEUSA I am told.. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I am researching the descendants of Ebenezer MEUSA from Industrial Hamlet or Sandhills, Upper Demerara River.. To hear from one of his relatives is a joy, THANKS…. For your information my aunt Margaret Meusa was married to a Mr. Gonsalves and I have no information as to whether they had children.. I hope we can help each other, as it seems we may have similar family interest…
Comment by Winston Meusa — July 8, 2018 @ 3:29 am |
Hi Anna,
I am researching my Gouveia family that lived in Guyana.
I was told that Joseph, Ulric and Patrica’s father was one of my great grandfather, Arthur “Pops” Gouveia’s brothers.
Pops Gouveia was a musician who played in a Georgetown Band in the 1920’s and the organ at one of the churches. (Sacred Heart ?)
Please let me know If you have more history on Joseph Gouveia’s family, parents, aunts, uncles, etc… or Pops Gouveia.
Thanks!
Simone
Comment by Simone — July 29, 2018 @ 8:09 pm |
Hi Simone I’m ulrics great grandson please email me we can talk more I have some info them for you my mom and I can give you some info
Comment by Matthew — March 8, 2019 @ 4:43 pm
Hi Matthew, I just saw your message that you posted on March 8th. Not quite sure how to reply directly back to you. Simone
Comment by Simone — October 17, 2019 @ 9:56 pm
Hello simone Please email me directly at matthewcuzzolini@gmail.com
Comment by Matthew Cuzzolini — October 18, 2019 @ 6:30 am
Matthew, you can email me at simone64@telus.net
Comment by Simone — October 17, 2019 @ 10:16 pm
“Good morning Anna! I hope all is well with you? I was just reading about the death of Sir Fenton Ramsahoye and remembered this post.. I am hoping since then you might be able to say who was Fenton’s mother or grandmother or both.. Thanks for listening and my condolences.
Comment by Winston Meusa — December 29, 2018 @ 11:25 am |
I am fascinated with all the comments’stories above. I was born at Blairmont and brought up there and at Rosignol, Berbice,
Now living in London UK since ’62. I am very proud of my Guyanese multi cultural heritage. Have celebrated it through short biographies of Guyanese, in two books and a website ‘Guyanese Achievers….’ to show where we come from and where we got to.
Many recollections of past since early 40s. Among memorable ones, lunch at West India Club in Whitehall,London, GM Eccles, and my father Pandit Dindayal, two pensioners, reflecting on their early days. I accompanuied my dad.
They both started careers at Blairmont. Eccles as junior overseer, my Dad a junior clerk at the office. Later Eccles became manager at Blairmont, my dad became sugar chemist. Eccles built a lab for my dad to do research -selecting cane to grow with greater sugar content, and resistant to harmful insects.
At peak of dad’s career, Eccles sacked him. Reason dad had attended a meeting of his juniors held to discuss working hours, overtime pay and bathing facilities. Big problem in estate. Black day for dad but another door opened.
Dad went to Rosignol and opened a shop. The two men soon healed their differences. Dad’s business prospered. Eccles eventually became Chairman of Bookers. The two often met and chatted in GT and when Eccles visited Blairmont he would invite my dad to visit him for a chat.
Eccles retired and came to live in London. When dad came here to visit us. He contacted Eccles, who invited him to lunch at his club. Dad was vegetarian and Eccles got him a special vegetarian meal. In those days in the 60s vegetarianism was hardly spoken of. I sat listening to the two old men and reflected. In the old days the Estate Manager was like lord god, and other people knew their place. These two men were like close friends. Eccles said, ‘You know Dindayal, the fellows in charge now, don’t value what we know. They don’t ask your opinion. They don’t want to know.’
Comment by Vidur — October 26, 2014 @ 9:10 pm |
Hello…
My father is Michael Gene Cendrecourt and my dear mother is Norma Stol. They originate from George Town Guyana and left there to settle in the UK some 50 years ago. I would like to know more about my mothers family. I know she was orphaned at 14 and was born out of wedlock . As stated her maiden name was Stol.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Christine Cendrecourt ( last child of Michael Cendrecourt)
Comment by Christine Cendrecourt — February 18, 2015 @ 8:23 pm |
I know you’ve asked for information about your mother, but I am looking for information about the Cendrecourts… My mother’s grandmother was Catherine Murdock Cendrecourt and she married Wilfred Eliot Davis. She had a sister, Henrietta who was called “Hetta”. The family lived in Georgetown. My mother is Margaret (Davis) Knight. If you know anything, please let me know! We may be long lost relatives! 🙂
Comment by Toni Knight — November 21, 2016 @ 5:07 pm |
This website is a gem for someone like me who is half-Guyanese and has never been to Guyana. It’s taught me so much and I’ve only been scrolling for 2 minutes! #Love
Comment by creolita — February 23, 2015 @ 3:38 pm |
FAMOUS MAN FROM KITTY There was a man born December 17, 1930 in Kitty named John Lloyd Nichols. He was sent to London for his education, but dropped out. He went to St..Croix, and became “The Great John-L” a calypso singer who made 4 albums in the 60s and 70s. I would love to know more about his life in Kitty, and his family as well. He was a Black man, so I don’t know if that influenced his life there as much as the British rule. His song “Green Christmas” is on YouTube. He died in 1984, but his daughter in Florida wants to know more about her father. Any help would be appreciated.
Comment by Marla Madden — March 29, 2015 @ 3:11 pm |
Hi, my name is Jules Stauffer, I was working as Donkey man on board Swiss flagged MV Sun Amelia in 1957 shipping up and down the Demerara river loading Bauxite in Mackency to transport it to Canada up the Sageunay River. just 21 years old at that time it was a great adventure. One time at night we got stuck on a mud bank, it took high tide and lot of maneuvering to get free again. I remember well the winter storms on the way to Canada, with decks fully awash and ventilators going over board, driving through the ice in the Saint Laurence river. I enjoyed all the pictures on this website.
Comment by Jules Walter Stauffer — July 24, 2015 @ 3:30 am |
Hi Bob –
Recently, clearing out some papers in my attic, I came across four Peter Andersen prints from Georgetown in the 1960s, and I thought you and your followers might appreciate them. I have put them on line and they can be accessed at the following URL: https://picasaweb.google.com/103098266940589897221/Georgetown?authuser=0&feat=directlink I picked them up when I returned to Guyana on an exploration project in 1966 and visited Pat and Peter in Kitty.
If you would like to copy them to this web site for ease of access, by all means do so – they are for all to enjoy.
Comment by Thomas Hasek — September 1, 2015 @ 3:02 pm |
My brother, Alan Hunte, has four Peter Andersen prints nicely framed and hanging in his home in Stratford, Connecticut. The Koker, Starbroek Market, Anglican Cathedral and another I can’t remember.
Comment by Pat Hunte-Cusack — March 17, 2017 @ 12:44 pm |
Hi
great blog! I’m battling to get hold of my father’s birth certificate and grandfathers marriage certificate. The GRO office in Guyana needs a couple of details that have been lost over the years. Could you let me know of anyway I could find those records? It is just the hospital name for the birth and the like. I have all their full names and most of the dates. The GRO offie there is not so keen on helping without every detail handed over.
My grandfather was quite well known, being the Chemist Ecologist for the Crown and Chairman of Booker Sugar Estates Limited, his name was Robert Redvers Follett-Smith.
I didn’t realise getting an ancestral visa would be such a nightmare 🙂
-Best
Comment by Dominic Follett-Smith — December 8, 2015 @ 11:50 am |
I saw your post today and am amazed that you heard back from the GRO at all as I have tried several times to obtain my grandmothers birth certificate and my great grandparents marrige certificate and never received a reply. I also contacted two churches and the embassy to no avail. My grandmother was born in BG in 1880 and I have the exact date, her parents names and even the parents wedding date and where they were married. Can you please tell me how you managed to get a response. Thanks so much. Wendy Quinn
Comment by Wendy Quinn — January 24, 2016 @ 7:48 pm |
Hi Wendy apologies for a late reply. I phoned the Guyanese office, and we have a mission here in South Africa that I contacted. They are slow in response. I have a photocopy of the original doc I need, and I am now only trying to get a certificate or some kind from them. I strongly suggest contacting a mission or phoning them directly.
Comment by Dominic Follett-Smith — March 2, 2017 @ 2:27 pm
Dominic – I sympathize. A few years ago I came into an inheritance from an aunt. You should try getting funds out of Trinidad! The stress I went through actually took a toll on my health, believe it or not! Good luck in your quest.
Comment by Pat Hunte-Cusack — March 17, 2017 @ 12:47 pm |
Epsie Mcintyre, I am trying to trace any decendents and or relatives of Epsie Mcintyre from the George Town area she had app. 8 children including twins, a boy named Clement Hulbert and a girl named Elma or Joyce born 9th April 1937 in Christianburgh Hospital, midwife Annie Backer. The twins father was believed to have died in an accident. The twins were subsequently adopted by a minister and his wife Mr and Mrs Holloway moving to the UK in 1946 .
The girl twin is my sister-in-law who enjoyed a happy family life and is trying to trace any relatives. I have done quite a lot of research for her but it is proving difficult. I placed an advert in the Stabroeck News but had no replies. Any info would be greatly appreciated to help her in her quest.
Comment by Susan Smith — April 11, 2016 @ 5:28 pm |
Clement Farraro was my best friend in Guyana 50 years ago, would love to hear from him!
Comment by Alan H Vanier — April 11, 2016 @ 10:47 pm |
I found this site over a year ago, however have not contributed much while I was searching my family history. I am Mark Melville, son of Leslie Melville and Anna Melville (Lanyi). I do not believe I am from the “infamous” Guyanese Melville family. The family names on my fathers side is Melville, Taitt, McMurdoch, and Gilkes. The Taitt name is from the well known Taitt’s from Georgetown. Gilkes is from the Bourda Gilkes Pharmacy. David Lanyi, the popular designer and Mashramani costume winner, is my uncle. I have traced part of my mothers side to 1835 or so. Lucy and Francis D’Almada came to BG from Medeira Portugal. Fathers side is difficult as I don’t have any records and he has passed. Leslie Melville did go to Queens College in about 1948 where he ran on the track team. I was born in the U.S. and spent the summer in Guyana in 1969, my family stayed at Aunt Dottie Mittelholzers boarding house. I was 10 years old at the time. If any of the surnames are familiar, I would welcome any communication.
Comment by Mark Melville — November 18, 2016 @ 1:46 am |
Dear Mark Melville
I may be able to help you….. get in touch.
David d’Almada
Comment by David d'Almada — January 12, 2021 @ 12:41 am |
Hi, I’m researching the Copp family who ended up in New York USA. Sister and Brother Florence Evelyn (aka Evalyn/Evalina) and Frank George Copp left Panama in 1917 during WWII arriving in New York 14 Sep 1917. They apparently joined their sister Tillie (Matilda) Gunning. Tillie was born in Georgetown, British Guiana 1884 and was a widow of Hermann Gunning, also born Georgetown, British Guiana. They were married in 1904, Georgetown. Hermann appears to have died in British Guiana and Tilly made her way to New York in 1916. She must have had relatives there. The interesting part is that her sister Florence Evelyn Copp was born in Jamaica, and then emigrated to Panama with her parents, where her brother Frank George Copp was born. Frank, an engineer and his sister Evelyn, a housekeeper, moved on to Costa Rica and then back to Panama from where they sailed to New York.
I figured that Hermann Gunning was actually Hermann Victor van Batenburg Gunning, born to William Edward Gunning and Wilhelmina van Batenburg.
However, I find no documents – only references to Hermann being “my great grandfather”. I would really like to find the parents of Matilda “Tillie” Gunning and also find out how they came to be in British Guyana, then Jamaica, then Panama. The father Copp and mother may not have been the same for all 3 children. I find lots of reference to the Gunning and van Batenburg families, but nothing on the Copp family.
Is there anyone who recognises any of these families?
My connection is via my son-in-law – the Hicks family – Evelyn Copp married George William Hicks in USA
Thanks
Comment by Anne Connell — February 10, 2017 @ 6:20 pm |
Dear Anne, Tillie Van Batenburg Gunning is my grandmother and Herman , my grandfather. Tillie and Herman separated sometime in the late 1900’s, (she leaving for N.Y.) Herman died in the early 1960’s. My father (Tillie’s son ) was Philip Van Batenburg Gunning. You can email me at malinssmith @ yahoo.com.
Comment by Whilhelmina Barbara malins-Smith — October 4, 2017 @ 4:39 pm |
Thank you for your response. I so appreciate your taking the time to answer my comments. Can you tell
Me what mission you received help from so that I might contact them as well? Thanks so very much Wendy
Comment by Wendy Quinn — March 4, 2017 @ 3:06 pm |
Does anybody remember or know anything about a plane crash in the Demerara ruver Britush Guyana which occurred on 4 December 1964?
If there is anyone who knows about this. Please contact me. Thank you
Anna Grima
annacassargalea@gmail.com is my email address
Comment by Anna Grima — March 17, 2017 @ 4:40 pm |
Hello all. I am Mark Melville. Father is Leslie Melville, mother is Anna Lanyi. I live in California and have been researching my Guyanese roots for two years. After being away from Guyana since 1969, I went back on July 1st 2017, and spent time visiting the very few cousins I have there and visiting old haunts. I spent a day in the Archives on Homestretch researching my family. I discovered a little. Unfortunately I found the employees of little help with my quest. If I did not know the exact document I needed, they would not look. I did review a Portuguese Registry of Immigrants to the Colony dated 1845, sadly the pages crumbled as I turned them. The best luck I had finding family history, was talking with people in their late 70s-80s. Former PM Green was in the Archives when I visited. In talking with him, we discovered he ran track at QC with my father in the 1940s. Another resident in the Cara Lodge where I stayed, knew the Melville and Roman side of my family. The Cara Lodge, once a grand house owned by my uncle Dr. Horace Taitt, is now a beautiful Lodge. On my fathers side, I am looking for information on Harry Melville, Catherine Meyer from the Berbice area late 1800s. On my mothers side, Francis and Lucy D’almada who immigrated from Mederia Portugal to BG around 1875. In summary, I enjoyed my visit and plan on returning to Guyana next fall with a stateside cousin. Good luck to all in your quest!
marksac@hotmail.com is my email. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks.
Comment by Mark Melville — August 5, 2017 @ 2:34 am |
Hello
I have come across this blog and started to read the comments, i was born in guyana in 1974 and travelled to this area as a child with my grandmother.
guyana is a wonderful country with so much history, recently i was diagnosed with an illness that allowed me quality time at home, i find that each day i am drawn into this blog and it brought me such pleasure reading the comments posted here about childhood memories of the individuals. I Just wanted to say thank you so very much in sharing your details that one can see mckenzie through your eyes.
v mohammed
Comment by vanessa mohammed — December 1, 2017 @ 1:35 am |
Some images from BG in the 20th century in my grandmother’s album here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/OjDsF8mFbvzDnCOn1
Comment by Tim Whittingham — March 5, 2018 @ 5:46 pm |
Tim, any idea what year those photos were taken? Looks like your grandparents might have had something to do with the police.
Comment by Pirai — March 23, 2018 @ 6:29 pm |
Would anyone have any information on the Sproston or Hill families dating back to the late 1800s?
Thank you
Comment by Joy Unterlander — March 5, 2018 @ 10:35 pm |
Hi Joy, as far as I know there were two sets of Hill families living in BG. My father in law was Clarence Hill. Not sure if this is the Hill family you are interested in.
Comment by Frances Hill — August 14, 2019 @ 4:30 am |
Good morning! Would anyone have knowledge of the parents of Sir Fenton Ramsahoye and would love to chat or just share that information, please contact me Winston Meusa.. Thanks!
Comment by Winston Meusa — April 27, 2018 @ 10:25 am |
Hi Mr. Meusa, I do not have the information you are seeking but Anna in Comment #43 above may. I wrote to her a few minutes ago, hoping that she is still reading this blog. She mentions that Fenton Ramsahoye and she have the same grandfather, James Ramsahoye. I too am looking for his parents names, because a family member was reportedly married to F. Ramsahoye’s uncle, I do not know which one.
Godspeed in your research!
Sonia
Comment by Sonia — June 3, 2018 @ 4:58 pm |
Thank you so much Sonia! I just messaged Anna and hope she might provide information that will be helpful to us all.. I believe, we are all looking for the same connection.. Again, thanks..
Comment by Winston Meusa — July 8, 2018 @ 4:06 am
Would I be able to use some of these pictures as a reference for some art work?
Comment by Isaiah Gangadeen — June 25, 2018 @ 4:28 pm |
Hi. My mum is hoping to find someone who could help her find an old school friend.
Name— June Khan,
Age now about 73 -74
Went to ST Marys Catholic school Guyana
Possible living in Ilford area. ( or may have moved to Canada or America )
Her dad owned a sewing machine shop.
June lived with her parents and family in Middle street, Georgetown.
She knew me as Elizabeth Humphrys.
It would be nice if you can trace her.
Can anyone help?
Comment by Christine — July 10, 2018 @ 9:22 pm |
Hi Bob,
I read in some replies about a name Rodolfo Maguhn who worked as manager in one of your relatives farm. He was my great grand father. Do you have any information additional about him?
Thanks in advance!
Ileana
Comment by Ileana — July 25, 2018 @ 1:30 pm |
I am a relative of Van Batenburg, once Governor General of Dutch Guyana. I understand he brokered the transfer of government to the British. V.S. Naipaul came to visit my grandmother when I, as a babe, was playing at her feet, here in Montreal. My grandmother was so gracious that he – as a gentleman – felt he could not remind her that our relative (buried in Barbados) was a slaver.
Comment by HL — August 12, 2018 @ 2:25 am |
Hi. Would love to find out about an old school friend. I am 66 yrs and went to Georgetown Academy (Seventh Day Adventist) school. His name is Clement Ferraria (not sure of the spelling).Left Guyana when I was 14 yrs and live in England. Thank you. Alan Vanier
Comment by Alan Vanier — October 3, 2018 @ 8:28 am |
Hi, I’m picture editor at the institute for the history of aluminium in Paris and I would like to use some pictures of your blog for the following article “Interpreting Local Experiences in Global Aluminum Production; Memory and Community in some Bauxite Territories of the Caribbean (British Guiana/Guyana)” in our scientific revue “Journal for the history of aluminium” but I need first to know the conditions for using them and of course if it is possible to have them in high-res. any thanks in advance for your answer, Best regards,
Comment by Nathalie POSTIC — December 12, 2018 @ 4:54 pm |
Yes, for the photos that I own you may use them and they are available in their original resolution. Other owners may be contacted for their permission.
Comment by Pirai — December 12, 2018 @ 10:05 pm |
Hello, anyone know of the Wrong family? Thanks.
Comment by Frances Hill — August 14, 2019 @ 4:33 am |
Hello, Trying to trace the origin of my maternal grandfather and making reference to Vincent Roth “A Life in Guyana: Volume 1 – A young Man’s Journey, 1889 – 1923”, edited by Michael Bennet, Page 216 refers to “Jas D’Andrade – Morawhana, NWD Merchant, and would be glad to know, if Jas D’Andrade emigrated from Maderia, Portugal. Can anyone help with my search ?
Thanks for your help,
Albert Gonputh
Comment by Albert E.M. Gonputh — May 4, 2020 @ 12:32 pm |
Hello, I am trying to trace the origin of my maternal grandfather. I am referencing a book, Vincent Roth “A Life in Guyana: Volume 1 – A Young Man’s Journey, 1889- 1923”, page 216 refers to “Jas D’Andrade – a Morawhana, NWD Merchant. Would like to find out whether Jas D’Andrade emigrated from Maderia, Portugal.
Thanks for your help.
Albert Gonputh
Comment by Albert E.M. Gonputh — May 4, 2020 @ 3:31 pm |
Came across this blog while searching for more information about my great uncles Frederick James Bankart and Walter Morgan Bankart who I understand both lived in Guyana in the 1880-1890’s. I have a reference for Frederick being a Mason joining the Lodge in 1890. There also seems to have been a business in Georgetown relatively recently with that name. For Walter in an early 1900’s edition of “Who’s Who in New Zealand” there is a biography for him with information that he was a “planter Demerara, British Guiana 1883” and also for the same year “British Guiana Police Inspector. Hoping someone can provide more information on any Bankarts in Guyana.
Comment by Anthea Jenkins — March 17, 2021 @ 3:46 pm |
I was browsing this website to see if I could find any information on a branch of my Haly family, and wondered if anyone could help. My apologies if this is the wrong forum. I am seeking information on a James O’Handy Haly who, according to Who’s Who in British Guiana 1945-48, married Rose Philomena Reid of 17 Water Street in Georgetown on 17 November 1933. She was born on 14 Nov 1893 to Arden R Reid, a schoolmaster and merchant, and Isabella née Ralph. She was educated at Morawhanna and St. Philip’s School, Georgetown. I believe James to be a distant member of my family and wondered if there are any descendants currently living, and would appreciate any assistance available. Richard Haly
Comment by rsogh — August 9, 2021 @ 3:42 pm |
I had a rather different “expat” experience — actually two experiences at different times — than many or most of the contributors. In May 1966, barely 2 weeks before Independence, I was 1 of 4 graduate students in Anthropology at McGill University who arrived with one of our professors. He had a grant to do some research of his own, and to provide for a stay of 3 months for the students to conduct M.A. research. We travelled upriver on the R.H. Carr, and met Maylene Saul and __?_ Nedd, whose first name escapes me. Later in the summer we went to Town by speedboat, and once on Guyana Airways. No road back then! We had a house on Arvida Road, and by choice, due to our intention to be identified as independent researchers, each with our own project, and to keep ourselves separated from Demba, had very little interaction with people in Watooka. We attended one party early on to introduce ourselves to and be “welcomed” by some Demba people, and one dinner a time the home of the lovely A.J. Seymour and his wife. There was “labour unrest”, and eventually a Strike. There was a Labour Relations Commission made up of 2 sociologists, one Guyanese and one married to a Guyanese woman, a Barbadian Union Leader, and a Guyanese labour official. I have strong and fond memories of my time in Mackenzie, of the Market, the cinema, Terry’s, where we ate supper the first night, of the moving ceremony of the simultaneous raising of the Golden Arrow and lowering of the Union Jack, and the raucous “tramping” on the road the next at. I went almost daily “over the river” in one of Dutchie’s boats to wander around Wismar-Christianburg, enjoying the greener environment there than treeless Arvida Road, conducting informal interviews, becoming friendly with some schoolteachers at the school. We students were “adopted” by a group of small boys who spent a lot of time hanging around our house and with us. One, Joseph, seemed to become particularly fond of me and followed me on my walking about, and stood watch if I went into anyone’s house! We were also adopted by a gaggle of schoolgirls, who hung around our house, invited me to their homes, some in Rainbow City, Noitegedacht, Retrieve… .The young Priest at the Anglican Church was Father John Erb, also a Canadian. in 1983 I moved to midtown Toronto (Bathurst and St. Clair area if anyone knows the city) and at St Michael and All Angels Church on St Clair and Wychwood, with a heavily Caribbean congregation, the Priest was the same John Erb, older, as was I!
In 1969-1970, and with some shorter sojourns up to 1976, I conducted research for my Ph.D., on the “Jordanites”. I lived in Georgetown, bought a Honda P50 Moped, and rode out almost daily to spend the day in the churchyard at Agricola, learning as much as I could about the religion and just enjoying my friendships with the members of the group. I was in Guyana for both Independence and the launching of the Co-operative Republic!
My experiences in Guyana form a very important part of my life.
Comment by Judith Roback — January 19, 2022 @ 3:55 am |
Hello Dimitri. Olive is my first cousin.
Even though just discovered this wordpress blog, I do, however, enjoy reading your nostalgic Facebook posts. I would like to contribute to the “Mackenzie Then and Now” blog. How can I achieve this?
Comment by Claire Joseph — May 22, 2022 @ 4:54 pm |
Your pictures are wonderful and so memory provoking. As a young engineer from the UK, my first overseas job was at the Demba’s alumina refinery between 1962 and 1964 in the alumina refinery. The experience was life changing because responsibility was thrust upon us and we had to learn quicklyand as the plant had only operated for about one year, there were lots of issues to resolve. For part of my term there I was responsible for unloading cargo ships and also loading alumina ships. Getting a level load was important and our ship-loading operators were great. Not that we didn’t on occasion end up in the holds shovelling to level the alumina to the captain’s satisfaction!
To explore the wilds of the country, driving to Rockstone or Kwakwani or flying inland to the Brazilian border at Orinduik was amazing. As one of about 8 bachelors, we were looked after by the married couples who worked there and I will always be indebted to them. I ended up in Australia where at least two other former employees are also located. I have given you my email address and if anyone is out there who would like to communicate directly with me I would be happy to do so.
Comment by Neil Lewis — April 7, 2023 @ 6:43 am |
Hi, my mum is the daughter of Epsie McIntyre from the Christianburg/ Georgetown area. She was born in 1937 and I want to help her look into any relatives she might have still in the area. Any information on her birth family would be most gratefully received.
Comment by Charlotte Kimsey-Averiss — July 1, 2023 @ 12:43 pm |