Tuesday, October 08, 2024

My Mother’s Business.

I recall sitting at the Tamarind tree at Nabaclis. And I ponder the expression, Good friends, we meet - good friends, we’ve lost along the way - in this great future, don’t forget your past,  dry your tears I say - No Woman No Cry. I will admit. I will confess that for me, it’s a rather lonely world. Those I love, are all, for the most part, dwelling in the spiritual realm of existence. And  I do not trust, the majority of those in the physical realm. Hence I keep myself to myself. 
I don’t congregate. I don’t care to feed into other people’s realities. I am about my mother’s business. I don’t forgive those that trespass against mother and I.
I am at this stage of my sojourn; the age when many of my loved ones departed.  I am not Nathaniel Jordan. I don’t know the hour of my physical departure. Thus, I have little time left here in this realm. Further more, I have no time for distractions.   I have no time for foolishness. I never learnt to forgive people. In fact, it is quite possible, I do not even forgive myself . Once, I am crossed. I become exceedingly an ultra bitter person. I guess.  There is no outlet for the violence. I would love to unleash upon others for violating my mother, my uncle and myself.

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Herman Ross, Sonny Ross and Lenny Ross

 SURNAMES: Campbell, Gibson, McLean, Pilgrim, Ross, Sancho, Wilson, and Wiltshire
 I am seeking the relatives of Herman Ross, and his son Herman Ross and his brother, Sonny Ross and Lennox Ross. It is apparent; members of this kinship of Ross were married to members of the kinships of Sancho and Campbell including Lily Pilgrim, and Iris Wilson.  I would love to speak with Lennox Ross soonest – will you assist?
Mr. Ross, the husband of Lily Pilgrim of the USA was the owner of Ross Gas Station in Kitty Village East Coast Demerara.
Mama Campbell (probably Lutina Campbell) Lutina Campbell mother of Sonny Campbell married Wilson. The union of Mama Campbell and Wilson reproduced two daughters; Marie Wilson and Iris Wilson. After the death of Mr. Wilson, Mama Campbell moved to McKenzie and, married Mr. Gibson, General Foreman at Demba. The Gibson union produced no children.
Marie Wilson married McLean. Roy McLean is either the name of her husband or her son or both.
 Iris Wilson married Ross. It seems a member of the kinship of Ross was a part- owner of the Woodbine Hotel.  Mr. William McDonald Wiltshire established the Woodbine Hotel in 1946.  I believe this Mr. Wiltshire is also a person of interest to the members of the kinship of Sancho. The union of Iris Wilson and Ross is known to produce Patsy Ross (probably Patricia Ross). It is understood; several years ago, Iris Wilson resided with her daughter on Long Island, New York. One of Patsy Ross's sons is perhaps a commissioned Officer in the US Armed forces. It is said The Ross family were formerly of West Coast Berbice; probably Hopetown.
PLEASE point this researcher to sources of information such as family historians and publications thereby he could add the information which is currently unknown. 
Your cooperation is highly appreciated.

Monday, September 05, 2022

What’s to Celebrate in Guyana? I don’t know. You tell me - will you?

 What’s to Celebrate in Guyana? I don’t know. You tell me - will you?

Most humans have issues recognizing and appreciating Truth and reality. Politicians need the masses to vote them into offices. Politicians also need the masses to support their protests. Otherwise the politicians have neither commitment nor concern respecting the masses in their daily struggle. Look, right this minute, at the estates at Enmore and Rose Hall, Canje and the other locations, no Guyanese politician can deny they didn't know sugar was failing. Yet, for decades, the politicians sat on their behinds and did absolutely nothing. Hence, the masses face another troubling period. I am absolutely disillusioned with Guyanese and their politicians. Guyana is an imitation European nation-state. Guyana is a neocolonial state. It is absolutely vexing. Guyana is a location with less than a million people, one thinks a few Guyanese would come up with solutions to this generational nonsense of parallel history and intertwined relationships by now. Some fifty one years after the instruments of Independence were signed, Guyanese aren’t aware of the contents of those documents. Why, at this late date, emigration from Guyana and separation of the two deeply melanated peoples are said to be the best visible options the masses utilize as solutions to their need to survive? Politicians have No Vision No Passion for national development and national unity. The Politicians have continually deceived their supporters. Rhetoric and rhetorical misinformation, with little or no historical truth has been the generational calling cards of Guyanese politicians. The Politicians’ deception also focuses on trotting iconic perpetual failures icons of the modern era. Guyanese politicians are reminiscent of Stalin and Hitler forcing humans to consume fluoride to make them docile. The majority of Guyanese politicians are greedy, deceitful and treacherous. Those greedy people, conveniently, hide behind the veil of ethnicity while raping the nation and when investigated for those crimes. Oil money is on the politicians minds. The politicians aren’t committed to the sugar workers. Why at this late date sugar workers are dumb enough to think the politicians give a damn about the plight of the lowest rung of the society? If you feel that politicians are on your side you need a great dose of reality. There is nothing to celebrate. Guyana does not own its money supply. The Rothschild males own the money supply used as legal tender in Guyana. Guyana does not control its political economy. Guyana is importing toxic laden food instead of growing and consuming organic and alkaline foods. Infrastructure is as horrible as in any backward society. Blackouts have been common place in the psyche of Guyanese for more than seventy years. It’s like being bitten by mosquitoes and sand flies while making smoke to hold the insects at bay. Guyana imports more than Guyana exports. And worse of all, the current Guyanese cricketers aren’t the best in the world. The eras of Kanhai, Butcher, Fredericks, Kallicharran, Gibbs, Lloyd, and Croft are long gone. Shimron Hetmyer is likely to become a dominant batsman as those mentioned herein. But, then again, the foolishness of WICB and its affiliated Boards and their supporting fans are likely to derail Hetmyer as they are currently doing to Darren Bravo. Thus, winning cricket will remain a historical concept to WICB. Hence, West Indies will continue to be Waste Indies, for a while yet. What’s to Celebrate in Guyana? I don’t know. You tell me - will you? I am with it’s too painful. Pass the darn bushy straight - no chaser.

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

May 26, 2017 1:17:28pm

31 Greatest West Indies Cricketers, 1901-1979 - Who do you think are deserving?

 31 Greatest West Indies Cricketers, 1901-1979 - Who do you think are deserving?

31 Greatest West Indies Cricketers, 1901-1979 

I'm with Lebrun Constantine and Learie Constantine, over George Headley and Ronald Headley and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tagenarine Chanderpaul as the best father and son in West Indies Cricket. How about Malcolm Richards and Vivian Richards? 

  1. What are your opinions respecting siblings? 
  2. How about George Sobers and Gary Sobers, Bryan Davis and Charlie Davis, Sheldon Gomes and Larry Gomes, the Christiani, Jackman and Etwaroo brothers? 

It's difficult to assess the talent 1900-1923. Lebrun Constantine, and Charles Ollivierre, the first black West Indian professional cricketer to play for an English county, were the dominant batsmen. Victor Pascal and Snuffy Browne were the successful spinners. Float Woods, Tommie Burton, Archie Cumberbatch, Oliver Layne and George Francis, five of the seven outstanding fast bowlers, 1900, 1906 and 1923 teams which toured England, were all birthed in Barbados. George John and Learie Constantine were birthed in Saint Vincent and Trinidad. Herman Griffith, another speed merchant from Barbados, joined Constantine and Francis in 1928. Thus, West Indies began in the test match cricket with three outstanding fast bowlers. Perhaps beginning with the three Ollivierre brothers produced a number of talented performers. Thus, Saint Vincent, Barbados and Trinidad produced the best talent during the first quarter of the twentieth century. 

Are the following ought to be considered? 

Charles Ollivierre, Lebrun Constantine, Float Woods, Tommie Burton, Archie Cumberbatch, Oliver Layne, George John, George Francis, Herman Griffith, Frank Martin, Cyril Browne, Victor Pascal, Keith Boyce, Vanburn Holder, Sylvester Clarke and David Holford 

Who do you think are deserving? 

Learie Constantine, Clifford Roach, George Headley, Frank Worrell, Everton Weeks, Clyde Walcott, Sony Ramadin, Al Valentine, Gary Sobers, O'Neil Gordon Smith, Rohan Kanhai, Roy Gilchrist, Lance Gibbs, Conrad Hunte, Basil Butcher, Seymour Nurse, Wesley Hall, Charles Griffith, Deryck Murray, Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Lawrence Rowe, Alvin Kallicharran, Andy Roberts, Vivian Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Michael Holding, Wayne Daniel, Colin Croft, Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes. 

I'm with Malcolm Marshall and Jeffrey Dujon, dominating during the 1980s.

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Honoring Romain Etwaroo

 Honoring Romain Etwaroo

Romain Etwaroo was a prolific scorer in Berbice cricket that’s a fact. I considered Romain Etwaroo was a grafter, a batsman who simply accumulated runs by staying at the crease. Certainly, I do not recall a dominating performance by Romain Etwaroo. However, I loved watching Isaac Seurnarie bat – even against my beloved cricketer, Joe Doolam aka Joe Best and the # 64 Village All Stars teams of the late 1960s and the early 1970s. It is a pity Joe Doolam and his older brothers especially Ben Doolam are not honored for their contributions to cricket in that region of the Corentyne. I was rather familiar with a number of the Etwaroo brothers; Romain, Randolph, Reginald and Tyrone and the Beasimonie brothers, Gopie and Vinoo and a host of others who represented Port Mourant in the late 1960s and the early 1970s. I witnessed many of their performances against Joe Doolam at No. # 63 Village Cricket Ground. Tagore High School was located right next to the ground. In fact, in that era, Randolph Etwaroo was a primary School Teacher employed at New Market Anglican school. I considered Randolph Etwaroo the best cricketer of his brothers. Joe Doolam was the finest left arm spin bowler I ever witnessed. I was instructed in the nuances of the game by primarily Randolph Etwaroo, Joe Doolam and Roy Fredericks. I loved hanging out (liming) with Isaac Seunarine and Annand Sookram. I simply did not recall Tyrone Ramnarace. I do not recall Romain Etwaroo scoring heavily against Joe Doolam. I take solace in the fact the cream often rises to the top. Roy Fredericks is simply the greatest batsman against fast bowling I ever witnessed. Romain Etwaroo was not in the same church. Only Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Alvin Kalicharran were better batsmen than Roy Fredericks. I am ecstatic good people are honoring Romain Etwaroo. All too often our unsung heroes go unnoticed and under appreciated. Do you recall a Jefferali a fast bowler from Skeldon?

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Oct 12, 2017 12:06:12pm

Justice in Georgia By Elbridge Colby

 Justice in Georgia By Elbridge Colby

Justice in Georgia By Elbridge Colby IN the town of Americus, Georgia, there is temporarily quartered a portion of Company K, 24th Infantry (colored), of the regular army. These doughboys have left their rifles and soldierly equipment many miles away and are temporarily in Americus to dig iron pipe out of the site of the now-abandoned Southern Field for transport and reinstallation in Fort Benning, where the wooden water mains are rotting away. On September first of last year a white night watchman in a lumberyard had his "dinner" brought at about ten o'clock by his wife and child. They came down a street through the Negro section of the town, past a crowd of Negroes congregated in front of a dance hall; as far as can be discovered they were not molested or accosted in any way. About an hour later, the family of three walked up the street, on a sidewalk eight feet ten inches wide. On the curb, with his back to the sidewalk, talking to another colored soldier of the same regiment, stood Private Smith, known as one of the best-dressed and best-behaved men in the 24th Infantry; he was wearing the uniform of the United States Army. The night watchman, named E. J. Fulbright, kicked him from behind in that part of the anatomy usually employed for seating purposes, kicked him into the road, and exclaimed: "Get off the sidewalk." The sidewalk, you will recall, was eight feet ten inches wide. The kicker declares that the soldier turned and said: "Who's going to make me?" Six other witnesses declared that Smith said nothing. In any event, Smith was unarmed. He made no threatening gesture. And yet night watchman Fulbright drew a gun and shot the soldier dead on the spot. Although the offender was indicted he was not kept in jail in spite of the charge of murder against him. Three months later came the trial. The general argument for the defense was to the effect that the jury knew the law and knew they were sworn to defend the law, and that any Southern gentleman would have done the same as did the kindly family man named Fulbright. Great stress was laid on the fact that this was a "Northern nigger" hailing from Montclair, New Jersey. A Mr. Fort, serving as attorney for the defense, recited the events of the years from 1860 to 1865 with many oratorical flourishes. He even referred with tender feelings to "our sainted and beloved commander, General Robert E. Lee." Late in November another colored soldier had visited his permanent station at Fort Benning and while there had stolen an army automatic. At the time of the Fulbright trial he was in custody of the sheriff for carrying concealed weapons, and was also awaiting trial by a court martial for the pilfering of the pistol. Neither he nor his offense had anything to do with the Fulbright case. Yet, because the prosecution might emphasize the fact that Company K at Americus was unarmed and doing fatigue work, he was brought into court by the sheriff and seated near the jury, with the automatic dangling conspicuously. His name was not mentioned. No apparent reason existed for his appearance in that court at that time except a desire to prejudice the jury. The proceedings of the court were signalized by the tremendous amount of chewing and spitting of tobacco that went on, and by the fact that all windows were kept tightly closed, just as if there were a law in Georgia that courts must suffocate justice with foul air. Some officers of the army, legal advisers and higher commanders of the killed soldier, came to court to listen to the proceedings, wearing the uniforms which all officers are supposed to wear when on duty. Their uniforms brought forth many a slurring remark about "those damned Northern officers." It was observed, by persons present, that the watchman accused of murdering the soldier had an intelligence and an appearance far below that of the average Negro soldier in the army. It was thought by some that the mat and soldierly appearance of Private Smith might possibly have been the provocation of the attack. The verdict? Is there any question that an attack upon a Negro soldier would result in such a court and in such a community and in such a State —in anything but an acquittal?* "Justice in Georgia". The Nation. 123 (3184): 32–33. 1926-07-14.

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Nov 07, 2017 2:00:18pm

Matthew Allen was a household name when radio was at its best in Guyana by Shan Razack.

 Matthew Allen was a household name when radio was at its best in Guyana by Shan Razack.

Every morning he would indulge the whole of Guyana to sing along with the gospel songs "I Surrender All” and "One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus" Twenty-seven years ago seem such a long, long time, for one to forget, but for me, it seems that only yesterday this great radio and theatre personality with such a great voice was with us. I refer to Matthew Allen who departed from this life on December 1990 at the youthful age of 56. It dawned upon me that I should do something unusual on Matthew Allen that is to reflect on some aspects of his life which for most part would be unfamiliar with the younger folks while for me and the rest it would be a case of nostalgia. Matthew, who was my senior, was born at Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice and I grew up in the same yard, Nuclear Yard- Canefield, I have no clue how that name came about- Rose Hall Estate Canje, Berbice- I wish to point out at this stage that we knew him as Ostrich; his deceased mother Esther loved calling him thus, as for us we called him Rick for short. By the way who was this guy Matthew Allen? He made quite an impression on the folks in New Amsterdam that when he died the Town Council saw fit to name the road leading to the New Amsterdam Stelling after him. The present generation and even those before would not have a clue. Those of us my age, which is young at heart that grew up on a diet of newspapers and radio, would easily recognize the name. O yes, we were glued to our radios, particular when the cricket commentaries were relaying from Bourda or other parts of the world. We were addicted to radio-you could say-we had no TV then. TV in Guyana came in full swing sometime in the 1980s and this took away the fun and joy we had with radio, although the newspapers were able to hold their own. Matthew Allen while attending Queen’s College took an interest in radio and eventually rose to become a radio announcer of class. As a disc jockey he was second to none, matter of fact he was the best in the business. He got the whole of Guyana to sing along with the spiritual songs, “I surrender all” every morning Monday to Friday at 6.45 and "One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus at 8.15. "What an inspirational way to start the day, and as soon as those songs were played we knew what time it was. I remember that voice at a time in life when the winds used to blow softer and sweeter. When adults were adults and children were children I loved him best, whenever he was doing outside broadcasting. How could one ever forget the remarkable commentary he did with another giant in the broadcasting fraternity Vic Insanally when they teamed up to cover the state funeral of the former President Linden Forbes Burnham. Those were golden days when radio in Guyana was at its very best. The name Matthew Allen was more pronounced when he left for Georgetown to peruse his secondary education and later a household name when he became a radio announcer. He was an equally good actor in the field of drama and gave an incredible performance in “Sweet Carilla” staged at the Theatre Guild in 1965. The affinity that ran between the two families,-Allen and Razack was no ordinary one, but an extraordinary. I recalled how we shared roti for bread and on Sundays it was sort of special that we got soup with foo-foo-who remembers this dish made with boiled green plantain and pound in a mortar with a long pestle- of course, and gave curried mutton in return. His formative years were spent as any ordinary youth, full of life, energetic, gaiety and rich with excitement. At an early stage, there was this inclination on his part to push ahead. He attended St. Patrick’s Anglican School and like me later years suffered at the hands of Headmaster H.C Scarder, mind you, not for our school work but playing pranks on the other kids and moreso, whenever we skipped school and go to the cinema or attend a cricket match during school hours. We had to endure; better still felt the wrath of the Headmaster Harold Christopher Scarder. He would in the presence of all and much to our embarrassment inflict six lashes on our buttocks. That however, did not deter us in anyway. Mr. Scarder was very particular with his grammar and moreso, wouldn’t spare the rod and spoil the child. I still remember, as if it were yesterday, as he inflicted the wild cane on our buttocks, he would spell it loud and clear: “Education is better than silver and gold”. Corporal punishment was common place in Guyana in those days and we had our full share of it. Even, when we branched out to secondary school, it continued unabating, it was licks like peas! I looked back at my alma mater and I’m justly proud at the fact that it had produced three outstanding writers who won the prestigious Guyana Prize for literature. Janice Shinebourne nee Lowe for her Best Book of Fiction: “Timepiece” (1986), the second was Cyril Dabydeen who produced a masterpiece: “Drums of My Flesh” (2007), and Chaitram Singh won the 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature in the category of Best First Book of Fiction with his first novel "The Flour Convoy". Singh's other entry, "The February 23rd Coup" shortlisted in the category of Best Book of Fiction. Come to think of it, the former Vice-Chancellor of UG, Dr. James Rose and I sat on the same bench while we were in sixth standard, yet with all due modesty we were not the brilliant ones, but were students just above average. Apart from radio, the cinema was the only form of entertainment for us, and we used to ‘live’ at Uncle Zab’s Rajmahal Cinema where we paid a bit-eight cents to those of us who could remember to get into our favorite spot in pit. Somehow we managed to have a few extra change to buy a glass of mauby/pine drink, or if you prefer a ‘doogla’, a mixture of both drink along with fishcake and bread at Charlie Lowe’s cake shop. The celebrated writer Janice Shinebourne nee Low was always there to serve us, right Janice? It was like a ritual, we always have the snacks, and often times we would buy channa before we enter the cinema. Rick became a member of the church choir, where he sang lustily. He took part in all games, excelling in athletes and cricket, pitched marbles, played cowboy, insisting always to play the lead role. He pulled sugar cane from the passing punts, knowing fully well how dangerous it was and, conversely, the punishment which followed, if ever he was caught. Rick stood in line like the rest of us and drank Epsom salts handed out by Nurse Drakes from the estate hospital. You might want to ask what’s so special about standing in line for Salts. Please don’t misconstrue me! I am not referring to Guy Line. That came into being sometime in the 80s, some thirty years later. You would recall when your mum gave you a dose of salts to drink and add a slice or two of oranges; you would twist and turn; turn and twist for hours before you eventually drink it. It was not so at the hospital. It was sort of regimented. You had to be in line and followed the queue-next-next-next-from Nurse Drakes, you goggle it down in a jiffy at the hospital, whereas at home you’ll take a day and a half. Once Rick had to prove his ‘manhood’, which entailed walking; it was more like squatting the whole 50-meter length under the church building. Remember too, we used to stand, sit and play among the tombs, we literally disturbed the ‘dead’ in the cemetery-the school was situated nearby the churchyard, and no one can deny that the fruits picked from churchyard tasted the sweetest. There was not too much space to maneuver and at some point you had to crawl on your stomach to get through. It was pitch dark and real frightening, scary, which I discovered in later years, when I did the same ritual. A few years later, this exercise came to a premature end. Young Kennard Dwarka who lived across the road opposite the church took at shot at it. Mid-way under the church, he claimed that he was confronted with an image, and the description he gave fits that of a bachoo. He said that the figure was small and it had a big head. As far as I can recall, Kennard, himself had a big head on his shoulders and I wonder if it was not a case of hallucination on his part. Christmas then was always a time of merriment and noise-making. Rick would get into the act and be a part of the masquerade band. He used to take the mad-bull and scare the hell out of us. As for noise-making, Rick used to fire carbon as there were no squibs and fire-crackers around. Let me explain what is to fire carbon for the benefit of the young and not so young generation. You simply get hold of a tin, pierce a hole at the bottom, put in a piece of carbon before replacing the cover, spit into it and give it a vigorous shake. Next, you affix a lighted match to the hole and there goes a loud explosion; ‘Boom’! Such a sound was heard more often when heralding the NewYear. Rick loves good food, curried chicken and roti were his special and this brings to mind two incidents I wish to share with you. Out-door cooking, commonly referred to as bush cook was a regular feature among Rick and his friends. Each member is expected to take along some ingredient for the pot and depending on what you put in; you were given a little more than usual. I know of one fellow who would readily volunteer to give the rice, obviously his share would be much greater. That day the pot smelled real good and tasted ever better. The aroma was so tempting that everyone wanted to get a first serve. No sooner, there rose a dispute over the sharing of the food. This caused a great commotion, and in the mêlée which followed, Rick decided there and then, to put his pot away, with all the food inside, of course. You could imagine how the guys felt, not getting any of the food. Du fu du is Nah obeah-a phrase commonly used back home whenever one wish to get even with someone who has done you a wrong. Well, a few of the guys decided to get back at Rick, because of what he had done with the food. It was the norm whenever the guys go swimming they would go into the fields searching for fruits. There was one particular area aback of the Senior Staff Compound where there was an abundance of banana trees laden with bananas and they were there for the taking. The guys would dig a hole in the ground, stacked it with dry sucker leaves and then place a few bunches of bananas to ripe. Come Sunday, after the swimming, the guys would have a banana treat. It was a Friday I recall. I just got home from school when Fred Sukdeo and George Gopie took me along with them to check on the bananas. Mind you, I had no idea what they were up to so I accompanied them for the fun of it. Prior to that no one checks on the bananas except when they go on Sunday. It took us some time before we could have identified the spot where the bananas were hidden. It was not that easy as you might want to believe. The bananas were ripe alright and we ate more than our normal shares. I who became an accomplice in ‘crime’ removed the remaining bunches of bananas from the hole, and then covered it up as though it had not been touched. After the swimming, we went to the place where the bananas were hidden. We carefully removed the layers of earth which were placed over the bananas. At last the final layer was removed, and to everyone, except three were astonished that there was no bananas. They had all vanished in thin air. Earlier, Rick was just longing to get his hands or mouth on the bananas, and even boasted that he would eat the most. Rick was furious, jumping up and down as if he had gone bananas! George Gopie in an effort to break the tension thought that it might have been the work of a bachoo, and I chipped in succinctly saying that bachoos loved a diet of bananas and milk. Towards the end, one of the guys said to Rick: “Boy, I know how you feel. We felt the same way when you took away the pot with the food.” Did we ever reveal the truth of the matter to Rick? We dared not! Trust me; Rick would have skinned us alive. The other incident occurred one afternoon when his aunt, Sylvie, came out with an odd pair of slippers in her hand, looking frantically for him. I told her that I saw Rick running to school. Rick had gone a far way and knowing what a versatile athlete he was, it was pointless going after him. I was told to my amusement that Rick had not only taken all the meat out of her plate but a portion of the food as well. Wait! I’ll lay hands on him when he returns, she said. It was always fun going with the group whenever they went swimming etc. The group had amongst them, Leslie and George Gopie; Leslie left in the 1960s for the UK and became a film star. George, a former Director of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), and part-time radio announcer, Ivan Harding Daly, a school teacher, Ivan and Moses Hussain, Moses was a radio announcer doing the early morning Indian show, Fred Sukdeo, a former Guysuco Director and Senior Lecturer at UG and Hector Talbot, businessman and owner of Big T Motel on the Linden Highway. Being the youngest then and a non-swimmer I had to keep an eye on their clothes and more so to keep a look-out for the Ranger-the guy who patrols the area to ensure that there were no unauthorized persons around. Once he is spotted, I sounded the alarm and all man jacks got out of the water and made their escape. If by chance you were caught, you not only loose you clothes but suffered the ignominy of walking home in the nude. Rick was in the habit of looking ahead and wanted always the best out of life. On day he went into the cane field, but just could not make up his mind as to which piece he wanted, as each piece appeared to be better than the other. In 1957, during Princess Margaret’s visit to what was then British Guiana, my Dad fell ill and was hospitalized at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Georgetown. As fate willed it, Mum and I stayed with Aunt Esther; Rick’s mum in Hadfield Street, a few houses near Guyana Telecommunications and the Ministry of Health, which once housed Queen’s College where the former Presidents Arthur Chung, Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan and other Guyanese luminaries attended. As I looked around Georgetown, aptly called the Garden City I found the place impeccably clean, tidy and gaily decorated. The people were by and large very friendly and courteous. I think the women whom I admired most were not only gorgeous but simply radiant. There was not much traffic, and people felt at ease roaming about freely. There was no fear that you will be mugged and people went about their business in an orderly manner. You have this great feeling in you as though you are in a different world. Fruits and other form of commodities were plentiful and relatively cheap. I had my first banana split from Brown Bettys for just twenty-five cents. Everything seems just perfect. I really fell in love with Georgetown at first sight. I told my Mum, that next to Heaven it must be Georgetown!! I recall the gentleman who brought us all the way from Berbice in his black Vauxhall car encountered a problem when he stopped in front of William Forgarty. It was Uncle Narine’s first ever trip to the city, and the traffic cop was about to write him a ticket, but the old man begged his way out. In the evening we handed over some money to Rick for safe keeping and I figured out that on top of the wardrobe or deep down in the clothes trunk would have been the ideal hiding place. Rick thought otherwise. Next morning when Mum went for the money, Rick had all neatly tucked away under his pillow, safe and sound. The next day, I was fortunate to attend the big exhibition and fair at Lusignan Cricket ground on the East Coast, Demerara, which was attended by Princess Margaret and thousands of other Guyanese. It was a wonderful display of excellent craftsmanship and local produce. Getting home in the evening presented a problem. We waited for hours for the train which did not show up. Eventually we catch a car which was jammed pack like sardines, with well over 15 passengers at $5.00 each. The rest of my money I tucked away, no not there, but in my socks. We stopped out at the head of Hadfield Street, near Auto Supplies Ltd. where my Dad bought his first radio, a Murphy. The other going brand at the time was Mullard, which was sold by D.M.Fernandes. What I remembered most was that from the head of Hadfield Street towards the end where Rick had lived, the only thing I passed on the road was a stray dog and that was around 3 a.m. in the morning. When I went upstairs, the doors were left opened for me to get in. I next met Rick during my courtship days in the mid-60s. At that time he was engaged in photography, and had returned with the pictures he had taken at my intended sister-in-law's wedding. His words to me then were: “I’ll be around when you are ready!” I got married to the charming young lady alright, three years later, by which time he was fully engrossed in broadcasting. Least I run into any problem, let me say it here and now that the young lady is now my wife, Beauty to whom I got married over fifty years ago with two adorable kids. Regrettably, I lost my daughter Roshani Andrews nee Razack two years ago We have so much to epitomize in Matthew Allen. Just to mention his love and devotion to his parents. He had a special place in is heart for his dear Mum, Esther and when she died, like so many other sons, Rick suffered a terrible loss. His only brother, a former policeman Clive and Sister Jean had migrated to the UK and apart from his own family commitment, Matthew felt he had a moral obligation to double up and fill the gap left by the two. It had been a constant source of joy and amazement to me how Matthew did it. At first his visit to them in Canje was done once a week, then it became twice, and later when his Mum’s health began to fail the visits were far more regular. Rick used to surprise us all that at one time you’ll hear him over the airwaves and before you know it, he was standing besides you. I suppose Matthew wouldn’t mind me saying something about his dear mum. What a fantastic person she was, strong in character, yet humble loving and caring. She possessed all the wisdom there is and seemed to have a solution to all the problems which crop up in the compound. She saved many marriages from going on the rocks and was able to get couple together who at one time had drifted apart. She inculcated in us some of life’s precious lessons, matter of fact she helped us kept courtesy alive and taught us how good and sweet it sounded to say-“please”, “ thank you”, “forgive me”, “excuse me”, “how may I help you?” and all those loving words you know! When someone bumps into you, you say “sorry”. To show benevolence and give the greatest gift of all, love, be kind and try to help senior citizens, keep the environment clean and tidy, give up your seat to the fairer sex, physically challenged and elderly, wait until a funeral procession is over; and this we did reluctantly because in those days when someone died the whole village attended, hence a very long procession and an unending wait for traffic to resume. Speak quietly-quiet speech is a form of refinement. Those of us who attended Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) under Mr. Alfred A. Ramlochan at Pilot Street, New Amsterdam behind New Amsterdam Public Hospital in the early 1950s would readily recall that sign which was posted up in the building. The joke of the matter is that we never bother with the word refinement; instead, we had our interpretation. We were from the country and we did things differently. Whenever we refer to the sign we would say it loudly: Quiet speech is a form of refreshment. (Sic). The one thing which I could not understand then but, which makes sense to me now was, no matter if your enemy did you one million wrongs and only one good, forget the many wrongs and consider the one good and act accordingly. It seemed to me rather pathetic that at this stage and time such notions are no longer cherished, and have lost their depth and dimension. In the mid 1980s I came to live in Georgetown and once more renewed my acquaintance with Matthew. Our concern has always been that our kids never experienced the sort of exposure and enjoyment in life as we had in our childhood days. He was proud of the fact that I worked my way over the years from a junior clerk to that of Administrator at Georgetown Hospital. I saw him the day he was admitted at the Georgetown Hospital, not realizing that would have been our last meeting. Rick left something which I would like to pass on to you: Dum Vivimus Vivimus. “While we live! Let us live!” Do not keep the alabaster of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier by them. The kind words you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. The flowers you mean to send for their coffins send to brighten and sweeten their homes before they leave them. If my friends have alabaster boxes laid away full of fragrant perfumes of sympathy and affection, which they intended to break over my dead body, I would rather they bring them out in my…weary and troubled hours, and open them, that I may be refreshed and cheered by them while I need them. I would rather have a plain coffin without a eulogy, than a life without sweetness of love and understanding. Let us learn to anoint our friends beforehand for burial. Post-mortem kindness does not cheer the burdened spirit. Flowers on the coffin, cast no fragrance backward over the weary way. Few men have served broadcasting and gave of their lives with such full devotion as Matthew Allen did. Sadly, Matthew has gone to the world beyond, and will be missed but never, never be forgotten. I am dedicating this story to my loving daughter Roshani Andrews nee Razack who departed this world on May 27th at the sweet age of 38. We missed her sadly. Shan Razack <shanrazack@gmail.com>


Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Dec 09, 2017 1:10:00pm


Sunday, September 04, 2022

Patrick McKenzie, Post Master, MacKenzie, Guyana.

 Patrick McKenzie, Post Master, MacKenzie, Guyana.

At about 11:11PM July 16, 2014, I exited the M train crossed the platform and boarded the J train to Brooklyn at Essex in Manhattan. I sat next to an elderly male. I thought was a Jamaican national. It turned out, last night, I met 86 years-old, Patrick McKenzie. He asked me if I knew McKenzie people. Wainwright McKenzie came quickly to my mind. Wainwright McKenzie, Keith Barry and Compton Ross were GDF commissioned officers. During 1969, Barry, McKenzie and Ross were trained in England. Patrick McKenzie did not recall any of my relatives of his native Victoria Village, and those who were of his age group and pupils at St. Andrews Anglican School under Melbourne. Patrick McKenzie stated he is related to Pansy Abrams. She was a teacher at Cane Grove School. I told him I am sure Pansy Abrams and Garnett were married. Garnett was deputy headmaster to Melbourne. He was surprised that one so young would be mentioning the names of long dead once popular people of the community. He found it refreshing. I simply told him I research read and document the authentic social history of our people. Patrick McKenzie was a post master at Mackenzie as late as 1980. He was familiar with surnames Bentick, Campbell, Sancho, Sumner, Adams, Lutchman, and Pilgrim of Victoria. However, he could not remember any complete names except that of Pansy Abrams and Oscar Garnett. Small world. A Luta Continua…

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Apr 07, 2018 11:39:23am


Observations On The East Coast Agricultural District During The Years 1915-1918

 Observations On The East Coast Agricultural District During The Years 1915-1918

Observations On The East Coast Agricultural District During The Years 1915-1918 By E. M. Morgan, Chief Agricultural Instructor, East Coast Demerara . More significance is being attached to discussions in the various Agricultural Societies on the East Coast than to the actual performance of practical work at the farms. To my knowledge, a series of lectures would be beneficial both to the peasants and agriculturists, especially if the various methods of cultivation given were carried out in conjunction with different phases of plant life; practical demonstrations on individual plots should accompany such lectures. Time and interest in maintenance of good cultivation are not sufficiently devoted by our small farmers. It is to be deplored that the time spent in the township by our young men and women is not utilized at the farms aback or in the environments of the home cultivating kitchen gardens, crops, or the fostering flowers. Our village politicians would be of immense assistance in encouraging this kind of work rather than arguing about the present Colonization Scheme; thus the threatened dearth of ground provisions would be removed. The yearly hue and cry for new lands is still prevalent but with the exception of Golden Grove and Nabaclis (where the major area is under coconuts) but little real claim exists therefore. The time is inopportune for such as we cannot be satisfied that the present polders have been systematically and efficiently cropped and left under permanent crops such as coconuts coffee, fruits, etc. Also, we can be satisfied that we have efficiently drained and irrigated these polders. At present two or three days heavy rain occasion and inundation with accompanying destruction of provisions. Further, we cannot be satisfied with the principle of using the main drainage trench as a drainage, irrigation, and navigation canal . It is incumbent that improvements be carefully carried out on the existing cultivations before additional lands are empoldered. The difficulty of solving such problems rests with the Village Councils who are composed of a greater number pedagogues and trades men than of practical farmers. Such individual.?, although considering themselves omniscience. Decline to allow irrigation from the proper source, be middle weight or sweet water canal. The reason given is that the tapping and laying clown of a small box koker or pipe would contaminate ate the sweet water. Though this objection to tapping the canal aback is strictly adhered to, little or no precaution is exercised to preclude pigs, ducks and other animals from contaminating this same canal in its course through the township lots. The Councillors must be asked to co-operate with the farmers in this particular respect. It has been pointed out, on several occasions that unless the drainage trench is kept very low the heavy rains will occasion inundation: the Company Canal, if it is thoroughly cleaned will assist drainage, and be most convenient for navigation. It is now generally realized by the farmers that it pays to extensively plant permanent crops. Such crops are of immense benefit to the farmer, and will serve readily as a substantial pension in old age and decrepitude. Therefore provision should first be made for efficient drainage and irrigation of such crops so that the empowering of new lands will be a step to progress. Immediately on the outbreak of the great European war the Director of Science and Agriculture detailed two of his officer to visit and instruct the farmers on the East Coast as to the advisability of extensively cultivating early maturing crops such as corn, peas, and provisions in general, with the view to alleviating as much as possible the great shortage of imported foodstuffs. The Presidents of the various agricultural associations were also invited to co-operate with the Department and to induce the farmers to carry out the instructions. These timely instructions received prompt attention and it was gratifying to note the. interest evinced in the preparation and planting of new lands. Early in 1915 the writer was appointed to assume residential duties on the East Coast and to be at the disposal of the farmers. A considerable portion of the work has been devoted to the cultivation of provisions; attention being given to seed and plant selection; attention has also been given to coconuts, fruit, coffee, rice and sugar cane. It is satisfactory to mention that such work has resulted in the production of more satisfactory returns. The direct work of pruning fruit trees for the farmers has been appreciated, which is indicated by the alacrity of the majority to adopt such advice. An experiment, which promised to be of great import, is" to be started by the Victoria-Belfield Agricultural Association to demonstrate to farmers a method of cultivating early maturing crops on small plots. It is proposed to place the scheme under the care of the Agricultural Instructor so that it may be carried out systematically for a number of years ; beyond doubt it will afford information of considerable value to the farmers. considerable amount of activity has been displayed by the planters in distributing lands already drained to farmers for the cultivation of provisions, notably among these are Plantations Lusignan, Non Pareil, Enmore, Hope, La Bon Mere, and Cane Grove. Full advantage has been taken throughout of this opportunity.' As a further impetus to the farmers on the East Coast the Department of Science and Agriculture has distributed over 500 pounds of peas and 2,000 pounds of selected rice paddy: these proved to be of immense value and were greatly appreciated It only remains to the farmers to cultivate their lands assiduously. The spasmodic and perfunctory manner in which some East Coast farmers pursue their duties is to he regretted. Source: The Journal of the Board of Agriculture of British Guiana Vol X11 No. 2, April, 1919:pages 119 – 121.

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:55:26am

Jun 23, 2018 1:53:51pm


If you think you ever loved somebody you need to access Kama Sutra.

 If you think you ever loved somebody you need to access Kama Sutra.

Most persons I and I communicate with have great difficulties expressing themselves respecting death of human and sexual intercourse between humans. Yet, those two factors are factors relative to be beginnings and ending of lives of individuals. Those two factors have been unchanged since the beginnings of the human experience on this planet. If it weren't for death our earliest ancestors would still be here in the physical realm of existence. And if it were not for sexual intercourse neither you nor I would be here upon creation in the physical. Unless of course you think you came in a test tube or by some airplane as I thought in the late 1950s and very early 1960s. Sexual intercourse can be compared to a quarrel, on account of the contrarieties of love and its tendency to dispute. The place of striking with passion is the body, and on the body the special places are: The shoulders, The head, The space between the breasts, The back, The jaghana, or middle part of the body, The sides Striking is of four kinds: Striking with the back of the hand; Striking with the fingers a little contracted; Striking with the fist; Striking with the open palm of the hand. I never thought of love as fighting with my lover. I was aware love is passion and action. Simply mouthing the words, “I love you" is similar to using a credit card. One could abscond on the agreement. As one ages, one realizes the burden borne by females. Certainly, acts done in ignorance are absolutely regretted. Kama Sutra is highly recommended reading for lovers seeking permanent relationships.

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:31:22am

Jul 31, 2014 12:34:47pm

Plaisance People of Interest

 Plaisance People of Interest

Campbell, Solomon, Gravesande, Archer, Cuffy, Luke, Roberts and Sancho are people of Plaisance and Sparendaam who are of interests to my genealogical research. I really love to link up with Sylvilene Sancho and/or her immediate relatives.  Also, the Archer family group,; I believe they are descendants of Eldad Archer, sick-nurse and  dispenser.   And, also, I love to link up with the immediate relatives of Joseph William Luke. He was a Catechist at Plaisance. He was a Schoolmaster at Better Hope. He died while still being employed at Better Hope. I need to learn exactly how Joseph William Luke relates to the members of the kinship of Luke who are also descendants of Sancho.  I am also interested in the lives of Henry Aaron Britton, Thomas Theophilus Graham, and William Harold Hinds. I put it to you, Britton, Graham, Hinds, and JT Clarke are unsung heroes of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries’. I'd love to be made aware of their dates of deaths and that of Joseph William Luke. Thereby I would send for the Daily Chronicle newspapers of the era to access the obituaries. Is it possible for you or someone known to you to acquire the dates of deaths of Henry Aaron Britton, Thomas Theophilus Graham, William Harold Hinds, and Joseph William Luke? I have also been trying to track the heritage of County Sergeant Major Frederick Prowell Emanuel Campbell, and Solomon Campbell to be made aware of their exact relationship to James Campbell (my great grandfather) and Friday Campbell, shareholder of Plantation New Orange Nassau (Buxton). I access information showing in 1912 County Sergeant Major Frederick Campbell and his brother Hubert Campbell and their wives resided at Sparendaam. County Sergeant Major Frederick Campbell was stationed at Blairmont. A relative informed me County Sergeant Major Frederick Campbell is somehow related to his grandfather. Yet, Campbell of Plaisance and Sparendaam are not our relatives. I know that’s not factual. I guess it’s because a granddaughter of James Campbell and a son of Solomon Campbell were married in the 1930s. I have also found none willing to acknowledge any awareness of Campbell son killing his Campbell father. I’d love to link with the family historians of Campbell, Solomon, Gravesande, Archer, Cuffy, Luke, Roberts and Sancho of Plaisance and Sparendaam, soonest. Who do you suggest I contact and consult? Thanks for your time, understanding and cooperation 

Updated Nov 06, 2020 12:31:22am

Feb 06, 2015 2:29:02pm


Sunday, August 21, 2022

Ethnicity Estimate Your DNA looks most like DNA from these 10 world regions


 

Monday, July 25, 2022

Persons of Interest

 

Ancestral Surnames

Allick Sancho DNA Matches

Relationship Range: 1st cousin once removed - 2nd cousins

E W     30's    USA

Relationship Range: 1st cousin twice removed - 2nd cousins once removed

MAKEDA LYNCH 20's    United Kingdom.

Relationship Range: 1st Cousin - 2nd Cousin

SHERLANA CUMMINGS

Relationship Range: 1st cousin twice removed - 2nd cousin twice removed

KHADAIJA CAESAR-THOMPSON     30's    Canada

Relationship Range: 1st cousin twice removed - 4th cousins

CHANIQUA HUNT     20's    Canada

Relationship Range: 2nd Cousin - 4th Cousin

DENNIS NELSON

Relationship Range:    3rd - 4th cousin

GERHARD EDWARDS     60's

Relationship Range: 3rd Cousin - 5th Cousin 

PORSHA SEALE 30’s    United Kingdom

DOROTHY EDWARDS 30's DNA managed by Carmelita Vrij     

NATASHA COX    30's    USA     

TABITA GIBBONS 20’s    United Kingdom

Relationship Range: 3rd Cousin - 5th Cousin

JONATHON JOHNSON-LINYARD

D.H HILDRETH

Ancestral Surnames: McDaniel, Payne, Strickland, Sergeant

ALLISON DAVIS

LEON HART

MRS. MILDRED E SEAGRAVES

LINDA SEAGRAVES

TIMOTHY LORENZO IRVING JR

ONEEKA MCBEAN

ERIC D BESS

CLARENCE WORD

RAYMOND L WHORTON

Ancestral Surnames: Calhoun, Dates, Gamble, Garrett, Green, Sibert, Thomas, Wofford, Whorton

Ms. MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

Ancestral Surnames: Baker, Burnette, Fritz, Tarrance

CLARENCE WORD

VALERIE DUNLAP

MARTAE ANDREWS

KATIE KAVETSKY

ROBIN ELIZABETH BEATTY

Ancestral Surnames: Brown, Fitzgerald, Gamble, Kelty, Moore

Mrs. OMIE (LEE) WINTERS

MATTIE CHRISTOPHER

DONIAL FAYSON

D LESTER

JOERENA HOWARD

MARCUS JOYNER

DNA Relatives of Sancho

Please share with our relatives, their friends and your friends. A number of your friends are quite possibly your relatives, AncestryDNA states M’Lilwana Osanku and Raoul Brown have the following shared DNA matches
This Sancho concluded they are all Sancho. He wonders how they relate to Bentick Sancho and Tuckness Sancho - their parents and their siblings.  There are numerous surnames he previously never associated with Sancho.
He noticed except for Sean Bradshaw; descendants of Mary Sandy are not listed. He wonders who descendants of John Sancho and other Sancho, are.
This Sancho is not requesting your permission. He is soliciting other opinions which may improve his chances of reaching desired results.
Please your feedback is requested. Asterisk next to the names mean at this time this Sancho is not aware of the identity of the relative.
M’Lilwana Osanku and Raoul Brown have the following shared DNA matches:- Renee Miller, Gregory McIntosh,Tamara Sancho, Margaret Sancho, Paige Singletary, Trevon Sancho, G C*, Bernadette Sancho, Ryan R Ralph, Ato Huntley *, Joscia Ralph, Amaiya Sancho, June Foster *, Darrell Gordon, Ariel Gordon, Jermaine Ralph ,Simone Blair, Aspen Qualles*, Collette Fournier *, Keith Hope *, angiebraff91 *, Marjorie Hubbard *, Lashauna Nophavong *, Anita Holmes *, Raeseanb *, Dawn McKenzie *, Sean Bradshaw

 23andMe states Gregory McIntosh is a second Cousin of M’Lilwana Osanku
However, M’Lilwana Osanku understands Gregory McIntosh is his first cousin once removed
Common DNA Relatives of Gregory McIntosh and M’Lilwana Osanku are listed below
 Each Common DNA Relative shares at least one small segment of DNA with Gregory McIntosh and M’Lilwana Osanku.
2nd Cousin:- Dianna Colon,  Makeda Lynch,  Wycombe King *
3rd Cousin:-Tara Tasco *, Ato Huntley*, Joscelyn Ralph, Paula Prince *, Frederica Forde-Blaise*, DV, Shaianna Donaldson, Ayana Griffith
4th Cousin:-Winter Obermuller *,Erica Lueken* ,Francina Phillips *,Kelsey Williams *,DD* , Pamela Johnson* , Alexandra Lord * , Elsie Campbell *, Nicholas Taylor *, Cortez Jordan* , Simone Stewart *
5th Cousin:-Ian Britton *, Lacretia Julian *, Kim Ray*, Hayden Scogin *, KB *, Mark Rodney *, Rochelle David *, Debra Moorer *, Dasha Catlyn*
 
Gregory McIntosh and M’Lilwana Osanku have 7% shared DNA: 510 cM across 22 segments 
Close Family
Renee Miller, Tamara Sancho, Margaret Sancho, Z.M. Managed by Elton McIntosh, Paige Singletary, Costaine Bovell*, Christopher Adams, Trevon Sancho
 Renee Miller and M’Lilwana Osanku
Renee Miller is likely a granddaughter of Victor Sancho – son of Alexander Sancho and Rachael Campbell Sancho
Renee Miller and M’Lilwana Osanku 1st cousin 1x removed | Mother's side
Renee Miller and M’Lilwana Osanku have 9% shared DNA: 623 cM across 26 segments Each Common DNA Relative shares at least one small segment of DNA with Renee Miller and M’Lilwana Osanku.
Common DNA Relatives of Renee Miller and M’Lilwana Osanku are listed below
 Close Family:- Gregory McIntosh, Tamara Sancho, Margaret Sancho, Z.M.*Managed by Elton McIntosh, Paige Singletary, Costaine Bovell, Christopher Adams, Trevon Sancho

Extended Family:- G C*, Bernadette Sancho, Tajaun Simpson, Edward Lyken, M.L. Managed by michellemarie22002, Ryan R Ralph, A.S. Managed by Nickita Sancho, Ato Huntley, pgriffith20, Joscia Ralph,  michellemarie22002, Amaiya Sancho,  Raoul Brown, Deborah Chester, Khalil Jeetoo, Darrell Gordon,  C.W. Managed by gharlan81, Ariel Gordon, Jermaine Ralph Managed by chralph27, Zepherine Amanda Donaldson, Aspen Qualles, John Adams, Brianna Reece, Stefan Collins, Tonya Ross, Elizabeth Rodgers, Balford Palmer Managed by raehebronchlc, Anita Holmes, G.M. Managed by kayleighmelville
































Saturday, June 15, 2019

Joseph Oliver Cutteridge and Nelson's New West Indian Readers

How on earth the stories found in West Indian Readers can be labelled, Juvenile Nonfiction? Joseph Oliver Cutteridge (1887- August 2, 1952) was a most ridiculous creature. West Indian Readers - First Primer - Dan is the man in the van , A pan is in the van, Tot got a pan from Dan, Tim ran to Dan in the van, Dan let Tim drive the van (PP. 24)
Are you familiar with the account of the dog and bone and its morals? I became aware of this story at Ralph's Kindergarten School. I must have considered it unlikely for I was a most unforgiving rice-eater. Flour was a close second. It was war to mess with the contents of the plate assigned to me. Nah I don't think one grain escaped my attention. I hate loosing access to rice I prepared. Greed never entered my psyche.
Nelson's New West Indian Readers 1 - Uncle Rimer, "I shall tell you the story 'The Dog And His Bone'.