Sandra Taitt-Eaddy

Change Award Sandra Taitt-Eaddy

Connecting Families, Reinforcing Heritage

In Barbados, there is a saying: “Family khan hide”. Sandra TaittEaddy embodies this concept in her work as a sought after genealogist, family historian and educator.

She takes every opportunity to showcase Barbadian connections. In the last year alone, she partnered with the New England Historic and Genealogical Society in Boston (35K members) to introduce its membership to Anglican record collections in Barbados and beyond. She also joined with the Connecticut Historical Society to view Lisa Harewood’s ground breaking film “Auntie” and engaged the audience in a discussion of the immigration experience.

In addition to workshops and seminars about Barbados and the Caribbean, Sandra is a contributor to The Dictionary of Barbadian Biography, a book Sir Woodville Marshall is currently writing to highlight the contributions of Barbadians around the globe. Sandra was also a key researcher for the book Of Halls, Hills and Holes, Placenames in Barbados published in 2016 and has facilitated screenings of Alison Saunder’s film “Panama Dreams” in Barbados, New York and Washington DC.

For more than 20 years Sandra has helped countless Barbadians and their descendants discover their roots. So skilled is Sandra in this arena that she has drawn the attention of the producers of the popular television series Finding Your Roots, hosted by renowned, African American professor Henry Louis Gates. (The next season will feature celebrities who have their roots in Barbados). NBC TV has also worked with Sandra for their program Who Do You Think You Are. In addition to her annual Emancipation Genealogy Event, this year she pitched and participated in a panel discussion about Emancipation in the Caribbean on WNPR radio.

Sandra, who sees family history as a path for healing, especially for generations of Barbadian families impacted by the legacies of slavery, migration and other factors, received her Bachelors in Communications and Masters in Public History from Central Connecticut State University.

Founder of the non-profit corporation, Baobab Genealogical Society 2016, the Connecticut resident is married to Max, a retiree. The couple has two sons.

With Barbados placing more emphasis on links with the Diaspora and genealogy becoming increasingly popular, academically and personally, Sandra Taitt-Eaddy is looking forward to connecting many more at all levels.