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Nembhard of Jamaica

Posted by Elaine Nembhard <enembhard@btinternet.com> on Sat, 06 Jan 2007, in response to The surname Nembhard, posted by N Nembhard on Wed, 28 Jan 2004

Dear Nembhards
I note the focus is on trying to trace our ancestors and having attempted it I realise the difficulty of trying to prove our connection with the Nembhards of England, Chalfont, Bucks. There is some history on the internet in the 'the history of Chalfont St Peters. I have come across documents connecting Hibberts and Nembhard, Nembhards in Sommerset etc. However, there is clear evidence that Ballard Nembhard of Bucks, England was an Esquire of Jamaica and was married to Letitia Hamilton. There is record in the Jamaica Almanac of Ballard Nembhard owning slaves and the name Nembhard appears on the register. I am currently checking out some historical information to check whether Ballards Valley in St Elizabeth is named so because of this link. The question is, were the names given to show ownership of the slaves? It is possible to check whether any of us Nembhard's have the same genetic/DNA make up. It is possible to trace our DNA to its origin e.g. Africa, Europe etc. (Maybe you saw the programme Motherland on BBC which takes you on the journey). Have a look at DNA genetics on the web which provides more info if you are interested.

According to the American Dictionary of the meaning of surnames - Nembhard originated from Germany meaning 'Nemen' + Hart or Hard from the 'Higher German Middle Order'. I take 'Order' to mean 'Class' and was change to reflect a lesser pronounced identification. The meaning they have associated with the name is 'Greedy and Money Grabbing.

My Aunt agrees with this (not the greedy, money grabbing part) - she seems to think that it has something to do with German Jews who have historically faced prosecution across Europe and fled travelling the world. There is information to show Nembhard being born in Bangladesh!

With reference to the issue of the colour of Nembhards. My grandfather (our original Nembhard) was very dark with straight hair- Asian in appearance . I think the colour thing might have more to do with the make-up and history of St Elizabeth itself than the Nembhard in particular as Black River in St Elizabeth was a fairly active important Seaport. The Port traded in the shipping of sugar and molasses and was the centre of the logging trade with large quantities of logwood being exported to Europe to make a Prussian-blue dye which was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Indeed so important was Black River it was the first place in Jamaica to have electric power in 1893. Really what I am getting at is that the colour of the people from St Elizabeth might have a lot to do with the activities of the Sailors and the our ancestors rather than Slave masters and their women slaves.

My grandmother was very fair with grey/blue eyes and blonde hair though the texture of her hair and her features were very influenced by her Black ancestry. To add to the mix, her father was Irish! Trying to trace him as well. My great grandmother was rejected by her family for getting pregnant by an Irish sailor and she was disowned by her family. We have no connection with her family except a cousin who passed away before I could interview her.

Anyway as fascinating as it all is, I have decided to try and find some of my living relatives who I know are still on the Island and in Birmingham. The ones in London and America, I know about....

Do any of you know or, are related to Michael (Mike) Nembhard and Vera Nembhard (nee Orridge) of Comma Pen, St Elizabeth, Jamaica? Do you also know that just at the top of Junction and Comma Pen is 'Nembhard' Town?. Mike and Vera had 4 sons together Virgillio (commonly called Keith or Parko who lived in America but died in 2001, Enriques Morales commonly called Ricky, Alphonso who was commonly known by his middle name (Sanches) who unfortunately died in 2004 in London, England. There fourth son died quite young and was known as Miguel. Their daughters are all living - Curlew, Neana, Lorna and Merle. I am the grand daughter of Mike and Vera who are buried beside each other in Comma Pen, Jamaica - they died in 1977 and 1981. In trying to trace my grandfather's family it would appear that very little is known about his past. As you can see, there is some Spanish/Portuguese influence in the names of some of the Children. This is because by grandparents were economic migrants to Cuba but returned to Jamaica to settle down.

Note: my grandfather had a three children before he married my grandmother. I did meet two of them and know that the third is living in Jamaica near Bent Town.

Also referencing the St Anns and St Mary connection - there is a link to the Saunders family.

I am writing a history of our family for my children and grandchildren and other younger members of my family so any help would be welcome. Our family include through marriages etc Powells, Sinclairs, Simpsons and DaCosta. I have recently returned from Jamaica and will be returing to pay a visit to the Records office to obtain copies of various certificates to help me with this quest. If you would like to discover how I get on, or if you have any information to share, please be assured that this would be most welcomed.

Kindest regards to my yet to be discovered relatives. Maybe one day we can move this thing forward by re-uniting in Jamaica - preferably St Elizabeth.... I know, its a bit bias but for those of you who know St Elizabeth, you will understand the bias, for those who dont and believe you have a connection do visit it. No I dont work for the Jamaican Tourist Board.

Bye!

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