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Archiver > CARIBBEAN > 2001-04 > 0986819285


From: "David Watson" <>
Subject: RE: Barbados Redlegs - 1957 article from BMHSJ
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 08:31:29 -0400
In-Reply-To: <20010407215832.75918.qmail@web12301.mail.yahoo.com>


I was most interested in Ernest's submission - his posts are always
illuminating, for me, anyway.

Three points which someone out there might clarify.

1) There is a group of white descendents on Carriacou in the vicinity
of Windward. There are noted boat builders - island schooners - and
are of Scottsih origin. I wonder if they are connected to the Grenada
and Bequia groups.

2) There are, apparently, a group of white descendents on Saba. This
point was developed by another interested party and since I do not
have personal acquaintance with Saba, I will quote from his
correspondence.

"Another distinct group of whites worth investigating are those on
Saba. This is rather unique because Saba is a Dutch territory and the
majority of its 1000 or so residents are white of English heritage.
They comprise perhaps six major families and intermarriage between
cousins and other relatives is quite common. They are definitely not
white Dutchmen. In neighbouring St Maarten and St Eustatius (Statia)
the racial composition is mainly black. Saba is an ... inhospitable
place .. virtually a mountain that rises to 3000 ft from the sea.
There is only one access road to the single sea port. The airport is
on a cliff and everyone ... lives up in the hills. It is quite
curious that the Bajans in St Vincent and Grenada chose to live in
these highlands though there were ... flatt[er] ... places in
Barbados."

Another interesting point is that many Mt Moritz residents emigrated
to Australia in the 60s and 70s, related to the Australian "whites
only" immigration policy. There may be family seekers in Australia
wondering how their ancestors ended up in a tiny Caribbean island.
Well, if they read Ernest's post, now they know.

3)Last point - as well as being referred to as Bajans in Grenada, Mt
Moritz folk were also called mong-mongs. I'm sorry if this is rude or
insulting, but I was wondering if anyone knows its origins.

David

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