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Heritage destination · BS

Plan a roots trip to Bahamas

Island roots: plantation heritage, shipwreck archives, colonial records.

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The Bahamas is an archipelago of more than 700 islands stretching southeast of Florida. For family historians, the Bahamas offers a unique blend of British colonial heritage, African diaspora history, and pirate-era documentation. Most genealogical records are concentrated in Nassau and the larger islands, though settlement patterns shifted frequently as families moved between islands for work and opportunity. The islands' population grew through English settlement, African slavery, and later immigration from the Caribbean and beyond. Civil registration began in the 1800s; earlier records often appear in colonial documents, wills, and church registers. Many records are held in Nassau at the National Archives, while local registries and parish records remain distributed across the islands.

The Bahamas' history is inseparable from slavery and colonialism; approach records and heritage sites with respect for the experiences they document.

Genealogy highlights

  • Civil registration (births, marriages, deaths) from the 1870s onward; earlier vital events in church and colonial records
  • Wills and probate records often available for property-holding families from the colonial period
  • Land records and deeds reflecting plantation ownership and settlement patterns
  • Church registers (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, and others) with baptism, marriage, and burial entries
  • Colonial-era documents including slave schedules, property rolls, and administrative records
  • Emigration and shipping records for family movement to the US and other Caribbean islands

Record types to know

  • Civil registration
  • Church registers
  • Wills and probate
  • Land deeds and property records
  • Colonial documents
  • Shipping and emigration records
  • Cemetery records

Emigration patterns

The Bahamas experienced sustained emigration, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Families moved to the United States (especially Miami and Florida) for economic opportunity, to Cuba for work, and to other Caribbean territories. Some Bahamians also migrated internally between islands seeking employment in agriculture, fishing, and maritime industries. Records of naturalization and arrival in the US may exist in US archives.

Heritage trip tips

  • Nassau is the main hub for archives, genealogy research, and transport to outer islands; plan 3–5 days minimum if visiting multiple family locations
  • Learn basic Bahamian history: plantation economy, emancipation (1834), and the role of Nassau as a colonial port. This context enriches your understanding of family records
  • Outer islands (Family Islands) are accessible by ferry or small plane; book accommodation in advance, as services are limited
  • Respectfully visit cemeteries and family burial sites; many are well-maintained, others overgrown. Local residents can often point you toward ancestral gravesites
  • Visit during the dry season (November–April) to avoid heat and hurricane season; summers are hot and humidity is high
  • English is the official language; no language barrier for English speakers

Practical notes

  • The National Archives of the Bahamas (Nassau) holds most centralized genealogical records; write or phone ahead to confirm access and opening hours
  • Many parish churches keep their own records; contact them directly or via local parishes before traveling
  • Record-keeping improved significantly after 1870 with civil registration; earlier records are patchier and often require archival research
  • Verify entry requirements for the Bahamas before travel; US and UK citizens typically need a valid passport
  • Hurricane season (June–November) can disrupt travel and access to islands; plan accordingly

Next steps