Forty years ago this week, the inaugural Island Roots Heritage Festival took place in Key West and then in Green Turtle Cay .
During the planning for the first Island Roots Festival, Key West historian Betty Bruce – whose ancestors were among those Abaco families who settled Key West – began gathering the names of other Floridians whose roots stretched across the Gulf Stream to the Bahama islands.
She posted a sign-up sheet in the Monroe County Public Library in Key West and put the word out.
Within just a few months, she had gathered several hundred names on a scroll, which now resides in the archives of the Albert Lowe Museum.
Reading through the scroll, you recognize many common Bahamian surnames, such as Pinder, Knowles, Kemp, Symonette and Moss, from the various Bahamian islands including Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, Long Island, Nassau and Grand Bahama.
By far, however, the majority of those listed descend from the first families of Abaco, with surnames such as Curry, Lowe, Key, Russell, Albury, Roberts and Sawyer. Not entirely surprising, since wreckers from Abaco were among the first settlers of Key West.
What about you? Were your ancestors Abaconian? If so, I’d love to know more about them!
I’m gathering information about the first families of Abaco and their descendants for a series of blog articles. Please feel free to send your family trees, old family photos or any stories you’d like to share to amanda(at)littlehousebytheferry(dot)com.
Also, just between you and me, there’s been some talk of arranging a giant homecoming/ family reunion for the descendants of Abaco’s first families. If you’re interested, drop me a note with your contact details and I’ll make sure you receive all the info once it’s available.
I love the idea of a huge homecoming/family reunion. Where and when? Something like this would have to be planned at least a year out. As for the where, I suspect somewhere in FL would be the best. Simply because it costs so bloody much to fly to the Bahamas, and Florida is sort of a neutral location. Not too expensive for anybody to get to, except for someone like Cheri Petters, and lots of reasonably priced accommodation.
Hi Amanda. I see Reggie’s response and I too would be very interested in a homecoming/family reunion of descendants of the early settlers. My lines go back to Capt. Gideon Lowe. I love to visit Abaco and Green Turtle Cay. My last few visits were with four-generations of my family. Precious memories in a beautiful setting. I look forward to more details as this develops.
My family names from the Bahamas include Kemp, Lowe, Albury, and Villajelu (sp?)
From what I understand, my father’s family had been in the Bahamas since 1651. My father was born in Key West in 1905, but his father (Kemp)and mother (Villajelu) were from Green Turtle Cay, Abaco. I would be very interested in information/connections/ a family reunion!
Melinda Kemp Lyerly
Melinda: Was your father’s name Herman Franklin Kemp and was he born on 10/11/1905? If so we may be related. My great grandfather was George Kemp. He married Luz Villageliu on 11/22/1904. They had three children. Herman, Euphemia and Angela. A fourth child named Constantine Heraldo died at the age of 3. My grandmother was Euphemia. Luz was murdered on 8/14/1913. I am doing research on her death for a book I want to write. Also my research has shown that Luz was born in Cuba. Any information you can provide would be great. My email address is mariaewanchew2@yahoo.com
Would love to get all information about a “homecoming” for my friend Albert Della Fave whose mother was a Lowe and whose family histoy includes “Curry,” Captain Gideon Lowe, and others. Thank you much. Albert’s uncle Walter Lowe, is a part of the Bahamain genetic study.
My half sister Barbara Newton is from Curry, Lowe and Albury lines also. Email me if anyone wa ya to compare. She has done atdna at Ftdna and 23andme and Gedmatch. Thank you, Tina Keene Peddie. Email: tinapeddie@yahoo.com
Hi Amanda: Was Betty Bruce looking for the descendants of First Families of Abaco in Key West? Or the descendants of the First Families of Abaco? Thanks, Ann
Hi, Ann. My guess would be descendants in Key West, since that’s where she’s based. I’ve been looking for descendants of Abaco’s first families worldwide.
Amanda
Grandmother was Gladys Pinder
Mom Joyce Boutwell
Related to Tuggy Robert’s also
Live on Siesta Key currently
Hello, I am a descendants of the Russell’s who were spongers on Cave Cay. Robert Seafield Russell was my great grandfather and Joseph Abinadab Russell is my 2x great grandfather. I believe them to be loyalist but I have also discovered that Russell’s were among the original settlers of The Bahamas. Do you have any knowledge on the origins of The Russell’s from Cave Cay?
Hi, Christian. I don’t have that information off-hand, but if you haven’t already, please consider joining the Bahamas Genealogy Group. I’m sure one of our group members will be able to assist with your search.
Amanda
This is a great find. My lineage goes back through Gideon Lowe and would love to hear from anyone about his heritage.
I’ve just re-read this post and think the homecoming/family reunion would be wonderful! My maternal grandfather was Charles Aldelbert “Bert” Lowe, son of Jabez Austin and Adrianna “Ada” Ellen (Curry) Lowe of Green Turtle Cay. My mother, Edris (Lowe) Sheppard signed the scroll, and I was delighted to see her signature.
Please keep me informed.
Hi Amanda. I descend from Saunders Albury and possibly Baker. I would love to be kept in the loop regarding any Bahamas/ key west ancestry reunions
My great grandfather was crime Green Turtle Kay. I visited when I was very young. I’m trying all different avenues to reach out to distant family to gather as much information about my history.
Sorry that didn’t come out right. His name is Benjamin Howard Lowe and was from Green Turtle Key.
Paul, My great-grandfather, Thomas Wilson Lowe, was also born at Green Turtle Cay. Explore this site and I am sure you will find references to your family. Thomas was descended from Capt. Gideon Lowe through his son James. Do you know your line?
I have ancestors both maternally and paternally from Green Turtle. My mothers grandfather was Walter Lowe who migrated to Key West and on my fathers side Sylvanus Pinder was his great grandfather. My sir name is Pritchard and they came from New Providence. I also would like to visit Green Turtle Key during the heritage festival. Hope the rebuilding of Abacos goes quickly and folks can get back with their lives.
My name is Richard John Sawyer ,my entire life my father Clifford john Sawyer has told me our family originally came from green turtle cay ,from there they were at plantation key florida then marco island ,florida, and now naples florida,my grandfather Richie Sawyer jr no middle name and Richie sawyer sr are buried on marco island florida.im not sure where my great uncle preston is buried but i think it is in naples florida.
Im not sure of my great grand fathers fathers first name is but I think it was John.