Saint Kitts and Nevis Colonial Records

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Saint Kitts and Nevis

Colonial Records

English Colonization (1623-present)

English colonization began in 1623 along the west coast of St. Kitts, and in Nevis in 1628. When French settlers came to St. Kitts in 1625, they agreed to partition the island. In 1626, the French and English joined forces and killed most of the native Kalinago people on the island of St. Kitts. In 1629, the Spanish attacked St. Kitts and they deported most of the Europeans back to their homelands. The following year, Spain allowed the re-establishment of English and French settlements, and in 1670 with the Treaty of Madrid they recognized English claim to the island in exchange for helping to fight piracy. St. Kitts became the primary base for England as they expanded colonization in the Caribbean. England and France fought often for control over St. Kitts, and in 1713 with the Treaty of Utrecht France renounced their claim to the island. St. Kitts and Nevis were federated by Great Britain in 1882, a part of the West Indies Federation from 1958-1962, an associated state in 1967, and full independence in 1983 although they decided to stay with the British Commonwealth.

Record collection	Years covered	Record type	Language	Who is in the records
Former British Colonial Dependencies, Slave Registers, 1813-1834 at Ancestry.com ($) - index and images	1813-1834	Slave registers	English	Enslaved Barbadians

French Colonization (1625-1713)

French colonization in St. Kitts began in 1625, and they agreed to partition the island with the English. In 1626, the French and English joined forces and killed most of the native Kalinago people on the island of St. Kitts. In 1629, the Spanish attacked St. Kitts and they deported most of the Europeans back to their homelands. The following year, Spain allowed the re-establishment of English and French settlements. St. Kitts became the primary base for France as they expanded colonization in the Caribbean. France and England fought often for control over St. Kitts, and in 1713 with the Treaty of Utrecht France renounced their claim to the island.

Record collection	Years covered	Record type	Language	Who is in the records