The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago (NATT) is pleased to collaborate with the Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) and the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) on the video series entitled "T&T Legacy Stories," sponsored by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd.
The first in the video series features the story of the Merikins, former enslaved African-Americans of the southern states who became soldiers in the British naval service to fight in the War of 1812 against the United States. The five-minute video was launched on 20 August 2021, the anniversary of the arrival of the soldiers of the British Colonial Marines in Trinidad in 1816. Other episodes will follow.
The video series is available on national television and on the social media platforms of TTT, NATT and NALIS.
In 2016, the National Archives collaborated with the Merikin Heritage Foundation to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Colonial Marines. An exhibition entitled "Celebrating the Merikins: Our Heritage, Our Faith, Our Future" was launched and NATT committed to start and build a Merikin Collection of archival records, books, videos and other information resources. These resources are available at the links below:
Exhibition "Celebrating the Merikins: Our Heritage, Our Faith, Our Future"
A Guide to the Merikin Collection