Barnswell - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Seeking extended families

barniallsteel — 2010-09-15 16:24:41Z

My name is Katherine (known as "Barni") Barnswell & my grandfather's grandfather was James Barnswell from Jamaica. I reside in Maple Ridge, a suburb of Vancouver, Canada. James came to Canada (as I've been told) in the early to mid 1800's & was a carpenter. Many of the buildings he constructed are still standing, today. He married a lady named Mary Lowe who travelled on a ship from somewhere around the Caribbean. That is all I know about that (Mary's) side of the family - tho would love to learn more.
I've met a few distant Barnswell's, from the States - as far south as Florida, at reunions held in Victoria (Vancouver Island), BC Canada where James settled (Barnswell's are considered one of the "Black Pioneers" - being one of the first black families to settle in the area) when he arrived in Canada (& where the next several generations were born & lived & many still do live on Vancouver Island & the mainland, like myself).
Its been interesting to read comments from other Barnswells'. Even my own known family members like Barb (stepmom) & Stephanie (2nd cousin) have posted some information.
James & Mary had 10 chidren (5 boys & 5 girls) one was lost to illness (Percivel - sp??) at age 6 to illness. 4 of the girls, I believe, married (2 of them married Alexander - brothers) & moved on to the States. Whereas the boys, only 1 produced any children; Jimmy. Jimmy married a nurse & had 2 boys, Albert (my grandfather) & Earl who both excelled in sports (as did their dad & this trait has continued on to this day with many of the cousins playing various sports. Including their own baseball team, played locally). I have a picture of Jimmy given to me by my Great Uncle Earl (Jimmy's son, who is in his mid 90's today), from when he played ball on the local Victoria team. The picture is a framed copy of a newspaper article printed about the team's achievements. This was published over 100 years ago! & he is the only black (proud) person in the picture!! I've been told that if the American League allowed blacks, at that time, Jimmy would have been drafted (the league learned later the value of skin blindness).
I have heard that the Barnswell's are a mix of Jamaican & Scottish blood. Or perhaps, that's just another limb of the family. Curious, as to origin of the name Barnswell. Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Also looking for information on James' siblings & parents.
I can provide more information, for those who are curious about this branch of the family - just not sure if this is the proper forum to relay a lot of details. This being my first search on my family, online.
Barni Barnswell

Re: Seeking Extended Families

everillbb1 — 2010-03-26 08:40:07Z

Hi Carol,

My name is Everill Balfour Barnswell. I get my name from my grandfather Balfour E Barnswell who was mayor of Kingston in the 1950s.

My grandfather was born in Panama in 1906 and had/has three other brothers: Roland Egerton and Ferren,as far as I know.

His father Robert P Barnswell was born in Morant Bay in 1876.

Hope this helps

Regards

Everill

Re: Seeking extended families

beautifullbarnswell — 2010-03-24 19:55:33Z

Hey, my name is Carol Barnswell, i am one of the daughters of Mr. Oscar Barnswell the son of Mr. James Barnswell both are not dead. My grand father was from Clarendon which i do not know much about. However, i am still living in Jamaica an Administrative Assistant.

Re: Seeking Extended Families

beautifullbarnswell — 2010-03-24 16:10:36Z

Hi, I am not sure if we are related but I have a brother by the name of Clive Balfour Barnswell living in Kingston, my name is Carol Barnswell (miss).

Re: Seeking extended families

beautifullbarnswell — 2010-03-24 16:06:52Z

Hi Claudia, my name is Carol Barnswell I am not from Clarendon but i understand that i have families there so maybe we are related. I am from Riversdale, St. Catherine

Re: James Barnswell of Jamaica

beautifullbarnswell — 2010-03-24 16:04:06Z

I am not sure if we are related as my late grand father's name was James Barnswell and he was from Riversdale, St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I.

Re: Seeking extended families

barnswellnathaline — 2008-04-29 06:08:41Z

I am not sure when you posted this message. I am however in the process of doing a family tree to see how far and wide I can go.

My name is Nathaline Barnswell
Father is Nathan Barnswell. Lived in Old Harbour,JA for most of his life. Married to Pauline (Johnson) Barnswell.

I will have to ask my father for my grandfathers information. Please contact me when you get the chance at Barnswell_nathaline@yahoo.com

Thank you

LEO Family

LDWtk1 — 2008-04-15 17:34:28Z

I am looking for information on a Leo Family of Philadelphia. My Great Great Great Grandfather Edward J Leo was a Police Officer born in 1861 married Anna Marie Foley born 1871. Edwards father was Patrick born 1825 apparently from Ireland. if anyone has further information on this Family I'd like to know.

Thanks

Re: Seeking Extended Families

ebarnswell — 2008-03-05 08:26:28Z

Hi there,

My name is Everill Balfour Barnswell and I live in London, England. My father's name is Robert P Barnswell from Trench Town/Denham Town/Jones Town Kingston Jamaica and he was born in 1929. His father Balfour E Barnswell was the Mayor of kingston fot three terms in the 1950's.

Hope this help

Let me know if it does.

Everill

Re: Seeking Extended Families

pbwalters — 2008-02-28 14:58:08Z

hello to you family
I am looking for my father's family Barnswell from Riversdale in Jamaica. He's name was Joseph Barnswell and I was told that my grandfather was James Barnswell. My father grew up in Old Harbour if thats any help.

Thanks for any information no matter how small

James Barnswell born 1831 Kingston Jamaica

craiglets — 2008-02-11 05:39:33Z

Looking for information on James Barnswell, son of Thomas and Rebecca Barnswell. James may have been born in Jamaica or else in the US. He ended up in Canda, though where he died in 1919. Thanks!

Re: family history

2004-01-15 16:17:30Z

I AN FROM HAYES IN CLARENDON I AM LIVING IN KINGSTON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I VISIT ALL THE TIME. THE LAST BEING THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

MY FATHER WAS JAMES BARNSWELL

Re: Seeking Extended Families

ebarnswell — 2003-05-27 21:25:07Z

On the familysearch.org site I found a Balfour Barnswell who was born on 12 April 1906 and died on 12 March 1998. Do you think this could be him?

Daddy doesn't talk much about his father. That is really sad I know. So I have only learnt a few things from him.

I did not know my grandfather lived in America.

Everill

Re: Seeking Extended Families

2003-05-27 20:59:14Z

Hello Everill,
Balfour is related to my father, they are cousins.My father's family was also in Panama. In the late 1800 when the panama canal started the French was running the project, they had problems with cost over run and accidents. The american took over and they imported a large group of west indians from Jamaica, Barbados and other islands to do the manual labour. There are several decendants of Jamaicans still living in Panama. I have met Balfour in Kingston, Jamaica, also his relatives were at my father's funeral in 1989.To verify Balfour place of birth you may contact the social security office in Washington, DC. The Jamaica Gleaner published a picture of Balfour in the 1960's where he was wearing an african outfit. My father was just as famous as Balfour anyway that is another story. I explained to you in our last correspondent...Balfour was a shoemaker in Old Harbour before he went into politics. His rise to the mayoral chair was assisted by Wills Issac a party member. Did your father attended his funeral? There are several articles on Balfour in archive in jamaica.Did you know that he was living in the USA?

Re: Seeking Extended Families

ebarnswell — 2003-05-27 20:57:38Z

Hi Amanda,

how's life.

Are u related to Bertram Barnswell?

I just wondered if he was OK.

I emailed him a while ago concerning how he knew so much information about my grandfather. I was hoping I might be able to use his source to find out some more innformation.

Have you found out anthing more about your ancestors that comefrom Jamaica.

Speak to u soon.

Everill

Re: Seeking Extended Families

2003-05-27 18:41:43Z

Hi Everill,
How are things with you?
Bert is Great! We started talking about 2 years ago about the Barnswell's. He is filled with all sorts of info. Bert and I figure that we are cousins, but we haven't figured out how yet.
Well, I hope that you are getting all the info. you are looking for and hope to talk to you again soon.
Amanda

Re: Seeking Extended Families

2003-05-27 18:06:33Z

Hi Bert,

Thanx again for your info.

My father told me that my grandfather Balfour Barnswell was actually born in Panama. My brother believes this was around 1904, which was the same time that the Panama Canal was being built by the Americans.

It also seems that most Jamaican work migrants lived in a settlement called Cristobal, Panama while the canal was being built.

http://www.railroadextra.com/pcbk210.Html

Therefore I believe Balfour's father, my great grandfather, had gone to work in Panama.

Have you any idea how you are related to my grandfather?

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