Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 22, 2010 (SKNIS): The ceremony for the unveiling of inscription into the UNESCO Memory of the World Listing has actively demonstrated the value of the National Archives in the public Service structure.
 
 
National Archives Director Mrs Victoria O’Flaherty said this event, coupled with the launch of the website, “Basseterre Past and Present” marked two significant milestones for the department that holds the key to national history.
 
She explained that St. Kitts’ Register of Slaves became a candidate for inclusion on the World Registry when other archivists, from throughout the region and the University of the West Indies, recognized the value of the register and recommended that a proposal be submitted for further recognition. Mrs. O’Flaherty who was given the privilege of pursuing it further, commented that she was pleased when it was accepted from the very first draft without requests for amendments.
 
Pertaining to the UNESCO listing, she gave some insight into the history of the historical document, “when England Abolished the Slave Trade in 1807, the abolitionist James Stevens suggested that a register of the enslaved be made to ensure that the planter class did not resort to smuggling more persons into the islands illegally. As a result Britain agreed and the registry was developed as a means of keeping inventory of existing slaves. The list was to be updated every three years and sent to England.
 
Mrs. O’Flaherty explained that tracing family background from the registry is very unlikely as no attempt was made to indicate familial ties, as that was not its purpose. The columns listed name, age, sex, colour, place of birth, and occupation. Titles were seldom included and some of the slaves were brought directly from Africa and others were traded across island. She added that some 20, 000 names were on that first list of slaves.
   
 
 “One benefit of being recognized to such an extent is our increased eligibility to request funding for the repair of the document,” said O’ Flaherty. The archivist also expressed the hope that having such a listing would advance interest in our tourism industry as similar items have raised the curiosity of “heritage tourists.”
 
St. Kitts is fortunate to be one of the only islands that has been able to preserve the registry of slaves.
 
The simultaneous launch of the Basseterre Past and Present Website was another activity geared at adding value to the Tourism product. More specifically, it was done in an attempt to give students and nationals of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis a glimpse into their history by way of old photographs presented in digital format and accompanying stories. The web address for the activity is www.historicbasseterre.com.
 
In keeping with the Ministry of Education’s thrust towards increasing the presence of Black History in the Schools Curriculum, UNESCO and the Archives are partnering with the ministry on this project to provide the website first and foremost as a “Student friendly” learning tool for schools. 
 
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas accepted the certificate of recognition designating the register as an item of value to the world.
 
Also making presentations at the event were Minister of Education and Information, Hon Nigel Carty, Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Antonio Maynard and H.E. Dr. David Doyle Honorary Counsel of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to France and the permanent delegate to UNESCO.