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I always wondered how the parishs in Jamaica came to be. I started doing some research tonight and found the following maps. I think it is pretty interesting. I was wondering if this is something that, as a child going to school in Jamaica, you are taught?
Jamaica before 1655
Before there were parishes, Jamaican territories looked roughly like the map below. Yallahs and Morant were names of large Spanish ranches. Guanaboa was an Arawak name. Liguanea is still used to refer to lower St. Andrew. Traces of these older names can still be found. From 1510 to 1535 the capital was Seville. With the exception of a one year period starting in 1755, Spanish Town was the capital from 1535 to 1872. Kingston was the capital for that brief period and also since 1872. For genealogical purposes, this map can be ignored.
Jamaica 1655-1675
The original English parishes
After Jamaica was taken by England in 1655, the English system of local administration was implemented and almost everything became Saint This or Saint That.
Jamaica 1675-1692
St. Dorothy separated from Clarendon. St Thomas in the Vale separated from St. Catherine
Jamaica 1693-1702
Kingston separated from St. Andrew.
Jamaica 1703-1722
Westmoreland separated from St. Elizabeth
Jamaica 1723-1769
The Duke of Portland became Governor in 1722 and Portland parish was created from St. George and St. Thomas in the East. Hanover separated from Westmoreland.
Jamaica 1770-1813
In memory of Edward Trelawny who was Governor between 1738 and 1752, Trelawny parish was created with land separated from St. James.
Jamaica 1814-1840
The Duke of Manchester governed Jamaica between 1808 and 1811. Manchester parish was created from St Elizabeth, Clarendon, and Vere.
Jamaica before 1655
Before there were parishes, Jamaican territories looked roughly like the map below. Yallahs and Morant were names of large Spanish ranches. Guanaboa was an Arawak name. Liguanea is still used to refer to lower St. Andrew. Traces of these older names can still be found. From 1510 to 1535 the capital was Seville. With the exception of a one year period starting in 1755, Spanish Town was the capital from 1535 to 1872. Kingston was the capital for that brief period and also since 1872. For genealogical purposes, this map can be ignored.
Jamaica 1655-1675
The original English parishes
After Jamaica was taken by England in 1655, the English system of local administration was implemented and almost everything became Saint This or Saint That.
Jamaica 1675-1692
St. Dorothy separated from Clarendon. St Thomas in the Vale separated from St. Catherine
Jamaica 1693-1702
Kingston separated from St. Andrew.
Jamaica 1703-1722
Westmoreland separated from St. Elizabeth
Jamaica 1723-1769
The Duke of Portland became Governor in 1722 and Portland parish was created from St. George and St. Thomas in the East. Hanover separated from Westmoreland.
Jamaica 1770-1813
In memory of Edward Trelawny who was Governor between 1738 and 1752, Trelawny parish was created with land separated from St. James.
Jamaica 1814-1840
The Duke of Manchester governed Jamaica between 1808 and 1811. Manchester parish was created from St Elizabeth, Clarendon, and Vere.
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