Paul Crooks | Genealogist & Historian
Paul Crooks is a genealogist, author, and historian specialising in Black genealogy and African-Caribbean history. His work focuses on reconstructing family histories shaped by enslavement, migration, and archival systems that did not consistently preserve personal identity.
He is known for demonstrating that African Caribbean ancestry can be traced through documentary evidence, challenging long-standing assumptions about the limits of historical records.
Drawing on British, Caribbean, and transatlantic records, his research examines how documentary evidence can be interpreted responsibly — clarifying what can be established, what remains uncertain, and how historical context shapes identity.
Through talks, publications, and public education, he supports individuals and institutions seeking evidence-led, historically grounded understandings of Black ancestry.