The task of preparing a family Tree is not an easy one.Not only does it entail intense research but expenses as well.My searches on the internet always end up in dead-ends since all Family Tree and Genealogy programmes are developed for North America, Europe and Australia.Since information on the Bigbys of Jamaica is non existent I am forced to inniate this project.
The basis for this project is a conversation with my older sister, Joanna Bigby-Kerr previous to her passing in 1988. During our conversation, I took some sketchy notes.These notes,telephone calls,letters, emails, as well as personal contacts,are the stepping stones in the gleaning of information presented in this research.
There is however a significant piece of the puzzle left unsolved.We know that the Bigbys of Jamaica have their roots in Cash Hill, Hanover. But how did they get there? Where did they come from? From my research I discovered that the Bigbys were first found in Suffolk and Nottingham , England, where they held family seats from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Spellings of the name include the following variations: Bigby, Bigbee, Bigsby, Bixby, Bigbury, Bigsbury and many others.The Bigby Coat of Arms is blue with a gold eagle superimposed. The Motto is, "Ad Astra", meaning, "To the stars". Further research shows that in 1775 a certain Thomas Bigby emigrated from Ireland to Tobago, West Indies.
I have a hunch that Thomas Bigby afterwards came to Jamaica and settled in Cash Hill. This is just my theory but it seems quite plausible. He might have named one of his sons,(my grand father)after him.
Due to lack of information on this guy, I have named him "Patriarch Bigby" and his wife, "Matriarch Bigby" I would urge the relatives in Jamaica to further aid the research by contacting the office of the Registrar General and/or the Tax office in Lucea in order to find the missing link.What we know, is that his children are, Thomas, Alexander, Phillip, Matilda, Frederica and Charles.
This research is far from being complete or perfect.Names might be omitted, some dates inaccurate, but at least, this is a start.If there is information you are able to fill in, kindly contact me by email, telephone or letter and I will be pleased to make the necessary corrections and additions.The web address is: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/b/i/g/E-leicester-Bigby/
E. Leicester Bigby
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