ABOUT

“A people without the knowledge of their history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

~Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Since its inception in the year 1874, The Jamaica National Group (formerly Jamaica National Building Society) has been vested in a social mission to contribute to nation building.  The mandate of the JN Foundation remains the same to this day. The JN Group understands the importance of cultural vitality and the preservation of the history of its members.

Jamaica has a rich cultural heritage and history which unites people from faraway lands and whose customs collectively form the cultural heritage of the Jamaican people.

In 2015, JN Foundation embarked on a mission to empower Jamaicans by creating and implementing the Parish Histories of Jamaica project.  The ultimate goal of this project is to strengthen the social connectedness, improve the cultural awareness and increase the community involvement of the Jamaican people.

The JNF Parish Histories project captures Jamaica in its most authentic form, engaging the Jamaican people in interesting conversations about their parish history. Some of the most captivating conversations are those held with our senior citizens who reminisce about a much different Jamaica than the one we know today.

After extensive research, histories are written by the History and Archaeology Department at The University of the West Indies, Mona and are accompanied by captivating photographs of historical sites. This website aims to take readers on a historical adventure and illuminates how some historical sites got their name, what certain locations are famous for, what their ancestors did to pass time, among other interesting facts. 

JN Foundation has made historical content easily accessible to all people so that for centuries to come, nationals will know why they should be Jamaica Proud.

This project will greatly increase the awareness of Jamaicans about their history and cultural practices. We envision that researchers, students, friends of Jamaica, Jamaicans in the diaspora, and global nationals with Jamaican heritage will all have ready access to a repository of historical content for centuries to come.

Jamaicans at home and across the world will know why they should be proud to be Jamaican.

The JN Foundation and The Jamaica National Group are proud to be able to contribute to our collective memory in this way.

HISTORY OF PARISHES

March 29, 2022

Kingston

THE PARISH HISTORIES OF JAMAICA PROJECT A HISTORY OF KINGSTON BY DR JENNY JEMMOTT INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS Located on the south-eastern coast of Jamaica, Kingston is the […]
May 13, 2021

St. James

The Parish History of St James By Dr Jenny Jemmott Introduction  The story of St James began long before the parish as we know it came […]
July 30, 2020

St. Elizabeth

THE HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF ST ELIZABETH BY DR JENNY JEMMOTT INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF ST ELIZABETH St Elizabeth is one of Jamaica’s oldest parishes, […]
March 2, 2020

St. Catherine

INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW OF ST CATHERINE St. Catherine was one of the first seven parishes created in 1664 and this makes it one of the seven oldest […]
November 7, 2019

Portland

THE PARISH HISTORY PROJECT: A HISTORY OF PORTLAND Dr Jenny Jemmott OVERVIEW OF THE PARISH OF PORTLAND At its formation in 1723, Portland became one of […]
November 7, 2019

St. Mary

 PARISH HISTORY PROJECT: A HISTORY OF ST. MARY   Professor Veront Satchell INTRODUCTION  Naming of Parish There is controversy concerning the origin and derivation of the name […]
November 7, 2019

Trelawny

The Parish History Project: The History of Trelawny Dr Jenny Jemmott OVERVIEW OF TRELAWNY: The parish of Trelawny is located in the county of Cornwall in […]
November 7, 2019

St. Thomas

PARISH HISTORY PROJECT:  A HISTORY OF ST. THOMAS Dr Jenny Jemmott PRELUDE: HOW THE PRACTICE OF DIVIDING JAMAICA INTO PARISHES STARTED AND DEVELOPED The practice of […]

PHOTO GALLERY

April 5, 2020

St. Catherine

January 6, 2020

St. Thomas

January 6, 2020

St. Mary

January 6, 2020

Portland

December 3, 2019

Trelawny

PODCAST

PARISH HEROES & PLACES

VIDEOS

CONTENT SUBMISSION

Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Upload your documents...
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
Field is required!
  • Select a Parish
  • Hanover
  • Saint Elizabeth
  • Saint James
  • Trelawny
  • Westmoreland
  • Clarendon
  • Manchester
  • Saint Ann
  • Saint Catherine
  • Saint Mary
  • Kingston
  • Portland
  • Saint Andrew
  • Saint Thomas
Field is required!
Field is required!

PARTNERS

JN FOUNDATION
The JN Foundation was established in 1990 as the charitable arm of the Jamaica National Group (JN Group). Our mandate is to manage and execute the philanthropic efforts of the Society, and contribute to the developmental needs of Jamaica. Built on the concept of mutuality, JN Foundation gives back to the Jamaican people and communities across the island, by providing financial and technical support to projects and programmes both at the community and at the national level.

OUR VISION
Our vision is that Jamaicans, wherever they may be, are able to achieve their fullest potential

OUR MISSION
The JN Foundation works with internal and external partners to identify, develop and provide technical and financial support to projects and programmes that focus on issues relating to rural development, health, housing, education, youth, community, crime and safety.

JN Foundation
32 1/2 Duke Street
Kingston CSO
Jamaica
Tel: 876-926-1344 Ext:7835
Email: jbowen@jngroup.com
Website: www.jnfoundation.com

The Jamaica National Group Limited represents one of Jamaica’s pre-eminent and most recognizable brands, with over 14 decades of history in Jamaica and overseas. The Group is comprised of several world-leading entities which provide a wide array of financial, technology, creative and fleet management services, among others.

With membership as the ethos of its operations, The Jamaica National Group will, as its predecessor, JNBS, ensure that the Group remains as a leading performer among mixed conglomerates in the region; and that its performance directly benefits the people and communities that its subsidiaries serve.

The Jamaica National Group is committed to the success and growth of its members while using business as a force for good so that, together, we can improve the outcome of Jamaicans wherever they may reside.

The vision of the Jamaica National Group is to be a globally respected brand – boldly finding ways to enrich lives and build communities

JN Group
2-4 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10
Jamaica
Tel: 876-926-1344-9
Email: helpdesk@jngroup.com
Website: www.jngroup.com

COLLABORATOR

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY – UWI , MONA
The principal objective of the teaching programme of the Department of History and Archaeology is to provide a thorough understanding of Caribbean history, heritage and culture, as well as the broader currents of world history which have helped shape the region.  Accordingly, the Department’s courses focus not only on the Caribbean but also on Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, and on the methodologies of history, archaeology, and heritage.
In fulfilling this objective, the Department fosters knowledge and understanding of history, heritage, and archaeology at the graduate and undergraduate levels and seeks to develop students’ analytical skills and professionalism.
The Department conducts original scholarly research and pursues effective teaching and learning practices.  Both address regional and international issues and provide frameworks for demonstrating the relevance of the past to the present.
The Department also promotes links with professional groups and institutions, as well as with the wider community.

Department of History and Archaeology
The University of the West Indies
Mona, Jamaica
Tel: 927-1922 | Fax: 970-1999
Email: history@uwimona.edu.jm
Website: https://www.mona.uwi.edu/history/

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Loading
Subscribe for updates