The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on an oral history project to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of our Independence. 

The road to our Independence has always been well-documented, from events such as Emancipation, the Water Riots, and the 1930s Labour Movement, all the way to becoming an Independent nation in 1962. This oral history project however, aims to collect stories from persons who were present during the 1960s in order to learn what their thoughts and experiences were like during this evolution of Trinidad and Tobago. These men and women had been born into colonial times, and were now tasked with embracing Independence and building a nation. 

The series will be available on the National Archives' social media platforms - Facebook and Instagram, and will be available later on our Independence Information Resources web page.  

History lecturer Dr. Debbie McCollin from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, introduces the series with a historical context about the importance of Independence to Trinidad and Tobago. 

The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago would like to thank all of our partners and interviewees in this project:

Dr. Debbie McCollin, History Lecturer, UWI St. Augustine

Ms. Yvonne Smart, former Records Manager, Ministry of Health

Ms. Sparkle Ferreira, PhD Information Studies, UWI Mona

Mr. Rex Griffith, former Primary School Principal

Mr. Clarence Mitchell, former Electrical Engineer, T&TEC

Mr. Dennis McSween, Industrial Engineer

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine - History Department.

The University of the West Indies, Mona - Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS)