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Research Service at the Jamaica Archives

(All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars)

DESCRIPTION:   Wayne Burnside, a highly experienced  researcher in Jamaica continues to offer research at the "Jamaica Archives" in the areas indicated below.  However since requests for research  have tended to be unique for each client we have opted for a 'pricing' structure which will be based on the particular requirements of each request.  The procedure will be to email Mr. Burnside with your request and request a price quote for the work: be sure to include the 'surname' you would like researched, the 'documents' to be included in the search and the 'years' to be checked. Please be assured that your email will be handled in an expeditious manner. 

1) PROBATE INVENTORIES

2) PATENTS

3) LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION

4) LETTERS TESTAMENTARY

(SEE DOCUMENT DESCRIPTIONS BELOW).

Please read the document descriptions below and use the following email address to place a research price quote from Mr. Burnside:

Wayne Burnside
email: waburnside@hotmail.com


1) INVENTORIES: Inventories were performed for people who died, regardless of whether or not they left a will - they list interesting information, such as an approximate death date, name of estate administrator (possibly a spouse or next of kin), perishable items owned by the deceased (slaves, personal effects, furniture, etc, but NOT LAND), and net worth. These inventories run from 1675 to 1837. They can help to round out your genealogy picture.

 

2) PATENTS: Patents usually refer to land that was granted to early settlers of Jamaica but can also include such things as "naturalizations" as well. These patents run from  1662 to 1826. If the patent is for land it will list along with the date of the grant, the acreage and location of the land in Jamaica: this will also include the names of neighbours on whom the land bordered and sometimes on the nature of the land "commons", "forest", "ponds", etc.

 

View a "snippet" from a 1672 Patent to Richard Parcment for 150 acres of land in St. Elizabeth.   Click below

Sample Patent - 1672 - St. Elizabeth, JA

 

3) LETTERS TESTAMENTARY: When a person died leaving a will, "Letters Testamentary" were issued to the executor/s granting him/her power to administer the estate including the performance of an inventory of the deceased's estate. These can give a clue as to the death date of an individual as they cite the date that the will was probated. Of course the names of the executors will always be given which may show a "next of kin" or a "close business or personal" associate. Of course they will also mention the parish of the deceased.  They cover the period 1723 to 1822.

 

4) LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION: If a person died intestate (without leaving a will), Letters of Administration were granted to an individual (usually a spouse, kin, friend or business associate) which gave them power to administer the deceased's estate including the performance of an Inventory. These letters of administration will give you a "ballpark" idea as to date of death since they show when the letter of administration was granted. Of course they will also mention the parish of the deceased.   They cover the period 1715 to 1825.

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"We have several customers who have used this service and  would be happy to supply you with a reference if you so desire" -- David Bromfield & Wayne Burnside

Last updated:  May 15, 2005

By David Bromfield
dbromfield@ucsd.edu

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