Features / Windrush Generation
Tracing your Windrush roots
One Bristolian’s incredible journey to trace his family history has inspired a mission to help others discover their own roots.
“It’s an empowering thing and also very emotional,” says Adrian Stone, whose quest began as a labour of love 11 years ago when his mum, Elaine McCarthy, fell seriously ill.
The Bristol-born music producer turned genealogist realised that, like many of his generation of Caribbean origin, he knew little about his past and set out on a research journey that would see him discover more than 6,000 descendants covering a timeline of 250 years.
is needed now More than ever
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Read more: Going back to his roots
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“It’s spurred me on to do more,” admits Adrian, who has set up a company, Own History, in the last year to give others the tools to trace their own histories.
Adrian has already worked with some well known people in Bristol and he returns this month
He returns to St Paul’s, where he grew up, this weekend for Carnival and will be hosting a ‘Tracing Your Windrush Roots’ workshop in at St Paul’s Learning Centre on Saturday, July 27.
“I learnt so much about how to research – my mission then was to help people do it for themselves,” Adrian tells Bristol24/7.
“I get an amazing response from people who discover more about how to research and learn about their own families and histories. It’s bringing families together and to have these conversations and get stories told is more important now than ever before. Many of the Windrush generation stories got lost.”
He adds that its also about engaging with the younger generation and inspiring them in a fun and engaging way.
Adrian with his mum Elaine
Adrian’s mission is “to empower the children of the Windrush, for them to honour and preserve the legacy of our ancestors”.
Adrian plans to take his workshops on a UK tour and then even internationally.
His work helps people preserve their own family’s history and legacy
The workshops aim to engage with all generations
The next Tracing Your Windrush Roots workshop takes place at St Paul’s Learning Centre on Saturday, July 27. For more information and tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tracing-your-windrush-roots.
Read more: ‘We looked forward to Carnival more than Christmas’
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