Family-name research — a mini family tree in 30 minutes

For schools, families or community centres: from family name to plantation to ancestor in 30 minutes.

Introduction

Many Surinamese-Dutch families today carry a surname that was assigned somewhere between 1832 and 1863 by a Dutch colonial official. Sometimes it is the plantation name, sometimes the owner's name, sometimes a fantasy name. This lesson helps you go from that name to concrete information in 30 minutes.

Exercises

1. Step 1 — Write down the family name you want to research (for example a grandparent's).

Personal answer.

2. Step 2 — Go to surinameglobalgroup.com/en/roots and enter the name. Note all plantations that appear.

Personal list. Sometimes 1 plantation, sometimes dozens.

3. Step 3 — Click the plantation with the most mentions. Note: what was grown there? Along which river / in which district?

Personal information from the plantation page.

4. Step 4 — View the "Historical context" and the "Top maternal lines". Is one of those mother names also known in your family?

Personal reflection.

5. Step 5 — For depth: look up the same name at the CBG (cbg.nl) or National Archive (nationaalarchief.nl, slave-register database).

Reference task.

⭐ Follow-up activity

Make a family poster with the data you found: surname, plantation(s), district, crops, any known ancestors. Share the poster with your family during Keti Koti (1 July) or a family gathering.