Germans in Jamaica
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
(Westmoreland, Trelawny) | |
Languages | |
Jamaican English, German (former) | |
Religion | |
Seventh-day Adventist | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Germans, other White Jamaicans |
A German-Jamaican is a Jamaican 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.[1] 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.[1]
Notable people
Surnames
Buckridge, Bunnaman, Eldermire, Gardner/Gartner, Groskopf, Hacker, Kameka, Kleinhans, Radlein, Somers/Summers, Wahrmann, Wedemire/Wodemire, Schleifer
References
- 1 2 3 "Seaford Town: Westmoreland". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. 2005. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-08.