Talks

Ancestry Talks with Paul Crooks

The Ancestry Talks series presents structured, evidence-led lectures exploring Black genealogy, African-Caribbean history, and the reconstruction of family histories shaped by enslavement, migration, and administrative record systems.

Each talk is grounded in original archival research and genealogical method. Rather than retelling inherited narratives, the series examines how historical records — including plantation documents, compensation records, migration registers, and parish archives — can be used to recover identities that were obscured, misrecorded, or erased.

These talks are designed for libraries, cultural institutions, corporate organisations, and educational audiences seeking historically responsible and methodologically transparent perspectives.

Core Talk Frameworks

The series includes the following core themes:

Reconstructing Black Family Histories After Enslavement

Examining the evidential challenges of lineage reconstruction where records were incomplete, inconsistent, or not designed to preserve family relationships.

Caribbean Surname Mapping and Migration Patterns

Exploring surname usage, migration flows, and historical naming practices across British and Caribbean contexts.

The Black and Irish of the Caribbean

Investigating the historical intersections of Irish migration and Caribbean society through documented archival evidence.

Interpreting Compensation and Plantation Records

Analysing compensation claims, plantation documentation, and administrative records as tools for genealogical reconstruction.

Identity, Migration, and Archival Silence

Assessing how migration, classification systems, and record-keeping practices shaped what was preserved — and what was lost.

Format Options

  • Standalone public lectures
  • Structured seasonal or themed series
  • Genealogy-focused record analysis sessions
  • Identity and historical context talks
  • Conference keynotes

All sessions maintain evidential clarity and historical integrity while remaining accessible to diverse audiences.

 

Booking and Enquiries

Talks are delivered in the UK and internationally.

For booking enquiries or event information, please use the Contact page.