Uncovering Voices of the Dead: Wills and Deeds in Colonial Jamaica

Caribbean, British Imperialism, Early Modern History, Society and Culture

Research Mentor: Ms. Chelsi Arellano, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: History, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: carellano@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: History, Anthropology, Gender Studies, Humanities, African American Studies, Caribbean Studies, English
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

From the beginning of the British conquest of Jamaica in 1655, the island served as a central point of contention to the British Empire. Jamaica has been a battleground against the Spanish, a settlement for white colonists, a hub for pirates, and a plantation colony reliant on slave labor. When, in 1692, an earthquake struck Port Royal, some saw it as an act of God against the island. Those living in Jamaica each had a different experience of these events and a different perspective of the identity of the island. This project seeks to explore the lived experience of people in Jamaica during the late seventeenth century by examining wills and deeds uncovered by an archeological investigation in the sunken city of Port Royal. These materials can provide insight into what people considered their prized possessions, their relationships with others, and how colonial life in Jamaica differed from life in England. By analyzing these records, we can gain a better understanding of the daily lives and social dynamics of people in Jamaica during this time.

Research Tasks: Research assistants will read through archival materials and transcribe them. This may involve working with handwritten documents and developing paleographic skills to read early modern handwriting. Research assistants will also use online databases and other resources to locate historical individuals and other relevant information, work with large amounts of data and use quantitative analysis techniques to help identify patterns and trends, and write short summaries of their findings, highlighting key insights and observations. By performing these tasks, assistants will contribute to the ongoing efforts to better understand the history and context of the materials being studied. They will also develop valuable research skills and gain experience working with archival materials and databases.

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: There are no required skills for this position, but it is recommended that assistants have a rudimentary understanding of Microsoft Office applications. Other training will be provided through the mentorship as needed.