Most family histories affected by slavery break down in the records.
Names change. Identities shift. Records exist—but they do not align.
Paul Crooks is a genealogist and author of A Tree Without Roots, known for reconstructing African-Caribbean ancestry across slavery-era records.
Work cited by archives, academic research projects, and public history organisations, including The National Archives and university-led initiatives.
Where does your research begin to break down?
When records stop connecting
Family lines reach a point where the trail disappears despite available records and clear evidence.
→ View talks on record breakdown
When names and identities don’t align
The same individual appears differently across records, making lineage difficult to follow over time.
→ View talks on names and identity
When records appear misleading
Details are recorded, but not always in ways that reflect identity or show clear family relationships.
→ View talks on interpreting records
When tracing back to Africa
Research often stops before this point, even when records exist that can help extend the search further.
→ View talks on African origins
Further routes depending on your starting point
Ancestry Talks
Structured sessions addressing where and why family histories break down in the records.
→ Explore the Talks
Books & Publications
Published work examining how African-Caribbean ancestry can be reconstructed through historical records.
→ Browse Books
Consultations
For specific research problems where records no longer provide clear answers.
→ Enquire About Consultations
Institutional Use & Recognition
Work referenced and used by archives, libraries, and academic-led initiatives.
→ View Institutional Use & Citations
How this work is structured
An evidence-led approach to interpreting historical records where direct lineage is unclear.
→ Evidence-Led Genealogical Reconstruction
Publications
A Tree Without Roots: The Guide to Tracing African, Asian and British Caribbean Ancestry
Ancestors (novel)
Widely used in African-Caribbean family history research
Research Focus
Post-emancipation identity reconstruction
Caribbean–UK archival linkage
Interpretation of enslavement-era records