Girmit history tracing made easier; National Archives

Descendants of Fiji's indentured laborers, known as Girmitiyas, can now more easily trace their family histories thanks to enhanced access to records at the National Archives. The archives have compiled alphabetical name indexes and immigration passes, making it simpler for individuals to find relatives who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916.

National Archives Officer Vaciseva Levu explained that the original general register is too fragile to be handled by the public. "Because we cannot bring down that general register because the condition is very fragile and it’s an original copy it’s the only copy we have in Fiji," she stated. The newly created indexes serve as a protective measure for the original documents while still providing crucial details like laborers' names, their fathers' names, ship arrivals, and immigration pass numbers.

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Because we cannot bring down that general register because the condition is very fragile and it’s an original copy it’s the only copy we have in Fiji.

These resources allow researchers to efficiently narrow down searches. If multiple individuals share the same name, the index can lead to an immigration pass, and further details can be found using the general register, which is accessible only by officers. The National Archives recently assisted a family from Brisbane, Australia, who successfully used these records to uncover their ancestral journey to Fiji, highlighting the growing interest in genealogy and cultural identity.

The archives continue their mission to preserve and safeguard these vital records, ensuring that present generations can connect with Fiji's Girmit history. This initiative plays a significant role in maintaining cultural heritage and understanding the island nation's past.

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We came to have a holiday, see our families and thought we’d come to the archive and trace back our history of our ancestors. The lineage was the main priority to being here to trace back where our great-grandfathers were from.