A Genealogical Research is an investigation to find out about a family’s background. The Research can tell a story about a family and provide factual evidence on the cause(s) of death through generations. It can identify the actual origin of a family and discover family members that are not known. By tracing the possible origin of your family you can learn a lot about your history.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of your last name or where your family came from, what your great-great grandparents did or where they lived? Do you have a little knowledge about your family history, a few old documents and an overwhelming curiosity? Well this is what you should do:

1.      Gather together everything you have – birth, marriage, death or adoption certificates, deed polls or any other documents.
2.      Interview the relatives you have contact with, start with your Mom and Dad
3.      Visit the Registrar General’s Department or complete our Genealogical Request form. (Click Here). Alternately you can email us at genealogy@rgd.gov.jm

The Registrar General’s Department offers Genealogical Researches at an affordable cost. The service is provided to all persons who are   interested in identifying their family history and involves the tracing of a line of descendants/ancestors continuously through to several generations.

How is the research done?

All persons wishing to use the Genealogical Research service are required to complete an application form. The applicant will indicate the number of generations they wish to include in the search outcome (how far back they want to go) and names, places and dates of birth, places and dates of death and places and dates of marriage for as many parents, grand parents and great grand parents. The RGD Research Unit will subsequently carry out its investigations by conducting interviews, visiting previous residences, visiting final resting places, checking RGD s IRIE Index database (repository of indices of all vital events) and conducting other index Searches. 

A Genealogical Research may be conducted within a few days or within a few weeks depending on each case and how far one cares to go. To trace one’s family the applicant must ensure that the application form is accurately completed and as much information that is available is provided to the Research unit.  At the end of the search the applicant will receive a genealogical certificate for each family member or a certificate of the structure of a family tree.

Genealogy is a fascinating subject whether it is tracing a family’s history to establish eligibility in a patriotic society or to make a contribution to the preservation of local and family history. The desire to learn more about our past is more than just the study of genes or genealogy. It has become the study of our heritage, which has given new meaning to the terms genealogy and family history.

You will need to provide the following:                             

• Names of parties   
• Parish of births   
• Approximate dates of births or deaths 
• Names of brothers or sisters or other relatives
• Spouses’ names
• District of residence
• Parishes of residence
• Occupations
• Parent’s names                 

   Why should an individual or group of individuals want to conduct a search?

• Satisfying an inherent desire to know “Who am I?” and “Where Did I come from?”  
• Determining a relationship to some historical person, to some member of the nobility or to famous persons such as movie stars and athletic personalities. Extending and re- connecting family units, which have been fragmented and separated 
• Educating young people by bringing history to life
Tracing causes of deaths through generations in order to assist in medical research