The Caribbean Collection:
An Archival Survey of the Records of the
Jamaican and Trinidadian Communities of Brooklyn

Progress Report - March 2001


  • Several items of project equipment (laptop computer, flatbed scanner, digital camera) were received.

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  • The Project web site was posted on the Brooklyn College web site and made available to the public on March 2, 2001. It has been updated twice since then, with additional information posted on the Archival Links page, the Bibliography page (with significant contributions by Dr. Henke and other committee members), and the Project Advisory Committee page.

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  • Efforts have been made to add the project web site to various Internet search engines and directories. So far, the project web site has been listed by AltaVista, and we hope to be listed by others in the weeks ahead. In addition, a link to the project web page can now be found on the UNESCO Archives Portal (listed under "Projects") and the Virtual Institute of Caribbean Studies web site. 

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  • After the first meeting of the Project Advisory Committee (February 28, 2001), the Project Coordinator conferred with several board members (in person, via phone, and via e-mail). The office of Council Member Lloyd Henry supplied a list of possible contacts. Council Member Una Clarke met with the Project Coordinator to discuss outreach strategies, potential new members for the Project Advisory Committee, publicizing the project, and contact lists.

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  • On the recommendation of Council Member Una Clarke, Ms. Gail Yvette Davis was added to the Project Advisory Committee. Ms. Davis is an economist who is a native of Trinidad & Tobago living and active in the Brooklyn Caribbean community. Ms. Davis has also supplied leads and contacts to the community.
  • Based on the aforementioned recommendations, letters of introduction have gone out to several leaders of various organizations. Follow-up contacts will be soon be made, and it is hoped that surveys of these groups can begin in April.

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  • Two new project databases were created. The first database is based on the Documentation Survey Form, and will enable direct entry of survey findings. The second database will allow us to keep track of contacts / groups being surveyed as well as sort them by various criteria (e.g., community served, purpose of organization, etc.). In addition, a questionnaire form was created as a word processing template. This form will enable us to gather information needed for scope notes and historical information in a uniform and logical manner. This template can be printed and used as a form, or used directly on a laptop as a new document for each interview.

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  • Academic research about the Jamaican and Trinidadian & Tobagonian community continues.

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  • The Project / Field Assistant left to accept a permanent position; several likely candidates have been identified and hire is anticipated in the near future.

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  • The next meeting of the Project Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 2001.

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  • Project staff met with Ms. Dottie Hiebing, Executive Director, METRO, on March 30, 2001 to review and discuss the project's progress to date.

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