The Jews of Jamaica, an interview with Ainsley Cohen Henriques

Ainsley Cohen Henriques is synonymous with Jewish Jamaica, and is one of the best-known personalities in the world of Sephardic genealogy. This week on Sephardic World we shall be talking to him about the Jewish community of Jamaica, its history and genealogy. We shall discuss the Jamaican Jewish archives and other useful records and resources. Ainsley has known many of the important academics and interesting characters who have contributed to Sephardic genealogy in the Caribbean, and will share some anecdotes.
Ainsley is founder of the Jamaica Jewish Genealogical Society, and is recognised expert on all things Jamaican Jewish. He welcomes visitors to Jewish Jamaica and has served multiple terms as head of Jamaica's National Heritage Trust. He founded the Jamaica Export Trading Company to sell Jamaican goods abroad; served on the World Spice Council; and has served as the Israeli consul to Jamaica. He was taught the Australian crawl by Errol Flynn’s mother at Flynn’s hotel in Port Antonio.
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[@tollpenn]

Ainsley,i am not Jewish but i have always wanted to know the Jewish history in Jamaica.I must say i am very very proud of the work that you are doing,thank you.

[@shaehenriques3166]

Heyyyy I’m one of you guys !!! 🩷

[@chrisvilavelha]

... Thank you very much Ainsley, that was very enjoyable ! Chris in Brazil.

[@alejandrabendana]

Im fascinated by Jamaican Jewish heritage! I am a jew living in Rome, searching for the story of my 2nd great- grandmother Victoire Berlioz. I suspect she was a jew. She was born in France and migrated in late 1860s to USA registered as German Migration. Lived in Jamaica where, story says, she had a few children with Edward Kirkpatrick, Consul of England. She died in Comayagua, Honduras. Her mothers last name is Mielly Bin. Mieli is a clearly jewish name in Italy. How can I contact someone to help me research her life in Jamaica?

[@London_miss234]

You could start with Jamaican Family Search.

[@London_miss234]

This video mentions the Mormons of Jamaica. They’ve microfilmed records.

[@daniellemason4951]

So I just finished watching the video of the Germans that migrated to Jamaica and are still living there in a place called SEAFORD TOWN also called German town. IN WESTMORELAND JAMAICA. The film interview is by David Ritter. Good luck

[@leelewis3770]

Im mixed race british/jamaican. I believe i have sephardic jewish ancestry via my father. My Great grandmothers surname was Cohen

[@Refixedrefix5652]

You will be related to us henriques family.

[@tristanhenriques8358]

I believe i may be related too you , im also very interested in my history and genealogy. My father is from Jamaica and moved to Canada

[@TodaysReligiousTalk]

Excellent information.

[@cindirosner2727]

Hi Ainsley You popped up on my facebook ehich took me to your you tube interview! I so appreciate how you determined we are cousins when I sought out info on the Abendana torah which is in St Thomas. You forwarded that wonderful pic of my very young child grandmother sitting on your mothers front porch At that time you had linked back to 1400s in Turkey prior to fleeing to Spain at time of inquisition to Amsterdam, then England, then imported to Jamaican reformed temple to be chazan but got dicj in journey on ship and died shortly after artival Then uf i recall, the abendana widow remarried into your family!! Did you get further back before Turkey? Love sent your way Cindi Rosner Descendent of……. I am Karlene Abendana Salon’ grandaughtsr

[@tollpenn]

Mr.Cohen,there is a history book called History of Jamaica by Clinton Black.Do you know if that book can still be had and where?

[@umultme]

My partners last name is Cowen, she moved to the UK from Jamaica. Please would you have any information about the Jewish wind rush and the moving of Jamaicans after ww2? Regards

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Your videos are so interesting, I am very interested in my own genealogy and Jewish history in general. Where can we find out about the line of Jewish settlement throughout the Caribbean islands? We know about Jamaica, Barbados, Curacao and Cuba. But then what about many other places, including what links exist in places like Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana, not to mention the Bahamas, and everywhere else?!

[@shaehenriques3166]

The Man U interviewed I think is my great uncle 😊. Somone get us in touch for research purpose

[@haroldtheraccoon.haroldelm247]

Dios bendiga al pueblo judío

[@Chuckalas.]

HOW YOU FOUND FAMILIES AND YOU DONT EVEN KNOW ME

[@Blackisciple]

The only time i have seen a Caribbean Jew was when i was in Bright town Barbados i never knew there Jamaican Jews

[@jahlion1956]

Some Jewish people did not mark their graves.