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.
The series forms part of the wider historical research work presented on this website and is delivered internationally through online and institutional lecture programmes.
Understanding the Historical Contexts Behind the Talks
Visitors often approach Black family history from different historical starting points — Caribbean migration, post-emancipation identity changes, or the legacy of slavery within colonial and American record systems.
The Historical Pathways guide introduces the key historical systems that shaped African-diaspora family histories and identifies the Ancestry Talks sessions that examine each one.
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 internationally through online sessions and institutional bookings.
Public sessions in the Ancestry Talks series are hosted through the Eventbrite platform.
→ Explore Historical Pathways to view upcoming sessions and reserve a place.
Case-Based Research
Selected case studies demonstrating applied archival interpretation are available in the Case Studies section.