Germans in Jamaica
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Jamaica (Westmoreland, Trelawny) | |
Languages | |
Jamaican English, German | |
Religion | |
Seventh-day Adventist | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Germans, other White Jamaicans |
Germans in Jamaica or German Jamaicans, are Jamaicans of German ancestry. The population was established in the 1830s when the abolition of slavery resulted in a labour shortage on the Caribbean island. Lord Seaford, who owned the Montpelier Estate and Shettlewood Pen in St. James established a European settlement in Westmoreland in order to combat the shortage, and over one thousand Germans migrated to Jamaica.[1]
The German language is no longer used on the island, but some German words have entered the Jamaican vernacular.[2] Many Jamaicans in Seaford and German Town in Westmoreland carry heavy European features such as blue eyes, blond hair, freckles and white skin, as a result of the German genetic influences.[2]
Notable people[]
- Supa Dups
- Sharlene Radlein
- Julian Radlein
- Thomas J. Goreau, biogeochemist and marine biologist
- Herbert Eldemire, politician
Surnames[]
Bunnaman, Desterdick/Dusterdick, Diederick, Eldermire, Gardner/Gartner, Groskopf, Hacker, Haltaufderhide, Heholt, Hellwig, Kameka, Kleinhans, Nembhard, Radlein, Sauerlender, Schliefer, Somers/Summers, Stockhausen, Wahrmann, Wedemire/Wodemire, Worms,Brown
References[]
- ^ "The Arrival of the GERMANS". Jamaica Gleaner. 2 March 2004. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Seaford Town: Westmoreland". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. 2005. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- German Caribbean
- German minorities
- Ethnic groups in Jamaica
- European Jamaican
- German diaspora by country
- Jamaican people of German descent