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Bygone Barbados photographs held in the UK National Archives

Author:

Peter Burton

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Unloading cane at Searle Estate
‘Unloading cane at Searle Estate’. Photograph No POP 33864 H Official Barbados photograph compiled by Central Office of Information. Copyright of Paul Popper hand stamp appears on the reverse. Source: The National Archives UK

The National Archives UK have a wealth of bygone Barbados photographs. They formed part of the Colonial Office photographic collection – some of which have now been digitised.

This collection of bygone photographs of Barbados held by the National Archives UK, in the Barbados album, is an amazing resource of 372 Barbados colonial photographs.

Here is a small selection of some of the The National Archives UK, Barbados photographs BajanThings have used in previous posts such as: The Game of Warri and Hurricane Janet and Rediffusion Barbados (1934 -1997) and as hero images in earlier versions of BajanThings:

Welcome To Seawell Airport BarbadosPrime Minister Errol Barrow and Governor John StowBajanThings Hero Image - Tourists arriving at the Customs Pier, BridgetownBajanThings Hero Image - Bridgetown Harbour PolicePolicewoman controlling traffic Broad Street BridgetownBarbadian traffic policeman on point duty in Broad Street BarbadosA Mounted policeman of the Barbados PoliceThe bulk sugar store at Deepwater Harbour Bridgetown BarbadosThe bulk sugar store at Deepwater Harbour Bridgetown BarbadosNew Government Headquarters, Bay EsplanadeBarbados Government Headquarters Bay EsplanadeBarbados flying fish fishing fleetA catch of flying fish being landed at the wharf BridgetownA catch of flying fish being landed in BridgetownCaptain Evan Joseph owner of the schooner Mary E CarolineThe harbour at Bridgetown, BarbadosThe Careenage Bridgetown BarbadosSchooners in the Careenage Bridgetown BarbadosMolasses in PuncheonsLoading a schooner in the Careenage Bridgetown BarbadosMain bus terminus on Fairchild Street BridgetownProbyn Street General bus stand Bridgetown BarbadosLower Green bus terminus BridgetownBus station Trafalgar Square BridgetownA bus at a stop in Trafalgar Square BridgetownBarbados route 15 Progressive busThe Mawby woman Careenage Bridgetown BarbadosThe Mawby woman Careenage Bridgetown BarbadosThe Mawby woman - BarbadosWomen workers carrying Bagasse'Workers in sugar plantationLoading sugar caneUnloading cane at Searle EstateFairchild Street Market BridgetownThe fruit and vegetable market in Busby Alley BridgetownThe statue [of Nelson] in front of the Public Buildings at BridgetownMobile Cinema Unit.Chapman Lane, adjoining Emerton AlleyA Barbadian woman and her two childrenA Barbadian woman bathing her little boy under the communal tap near BathshebaForster Hall Plantation St. Joseph BarbadosA stretch of the Atlantic Coast near BathshebaRediffusion studioRediffusion studio River RdRediffusion continuity service studioSeawell Airport Barbados

The UK National Archives, Barbados album includes 372 Barbados black and white photographs. Below are links to the Barbados photograph albums which is hosted by the National Archives UK on flickr.com:

Another source of bygone photographs of Barbados is the Royal Collection Trust which was the source of images for: Remembering EIIR 1926 – 2022 and Prince Albert and Prince George visit Barbados while Midshipmen aboard HMS Bacchante in 1879.

In the Royal Collection Trust search box put: Barbados, then – Show all Results for “Barbados’. Currently it shows 87 results.

Enjoy!

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7 responses to “Bygone Barbados photographs held in the UK National Archives”

  1. G Crumb

    Thank you for these beautiful photos. My dad always spoke of his past experiences and these help me as I visualise them.

    Reply
  2. Jackie Nurse

    Moved by all the images
    Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  3. Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D.

    Excellent!

    Reply
  4. Vicki Stanton Williams

    I enjoyed these photos thoroughly,many thanks.

    Reply
  5. Chris Oliver

    It’s a powerful experience to see old photographs and connect with the past, especially when I can remember living through those times myself. My perspective as a Barbadian born in the 1960s is unique, having witnessed the transition from a post-colonial era to a modern, independent nation.

    Those photos are more than just images; they are a direct link to the resilience of our people. The Barbadians of that era, our parents and grandparents, navigated immense social and economic change. They built the foundation for the comfortable lives many of us enjoy today. They worked hard, sacrificed, and held on to their culture and community, passing down a legacy of strength and pride.

    Looking at those pictures, you are seeing the direct result of their survival and perseverance. You are a part of that living history. It’s a beautiful thing to be grateful for those memories and to recognize the strength that came before you. Thank you for sharing that reflection.

    Reply
  6. Craig Burleigh

    Well this sent me down the rabbit hole – what an incredible collection – wonder what plans are for a climate controlled storage and display Gallery near the Museum in Barbados?

    Reply
  7. Barbara Cozzi Jones

    Hello Peter,
    Thank you very much for sharing these precious photos and links to many more. I’m sharing them with my husband, who was born and grew up in Barbados. He has shared many fond memories and stories with me and I’m sure the photos will spark many more.
    Thanks again.

    Barbara Cozzi Jones

    Reply

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