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FIFTY YEARS OF ARCHIVAL OPERATIONS IN JAMAICA |
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In the year 2005 the Jamaica Archives & Records Department observed its 50th anniversary as a government institution as in 1955 Mr. Clinton Black was appointed Government Archivist and the Archives Section of the Island Record Office was formally established. You can read about Clinton Black, the first government archivist in the English speaking Caribbean in vol.1 no 2 of our newsletter, Archives Link. From one unit (Spanish Town), the Department has grown to four (4) units in three (3) locations with an establishment of fifty six posts.
 Welcome to the website of the Jamaica Archives & Records Department which is responsible for the preservation of the country's official historical records dating back to the seventeenth century, the efficient management of government records in all stages of their life cycle and the implementation of the Access to Information legislation.
We invite you to read the second issue of our newsletter Archives Link which will only be available electronically
We are now in the final three (3) months of the implementation of Access to Information which came into effect in January 2004 and is being implemented over an eighteen (18) month period. As of December 2004, twenty seven (27) ministries and agencies fall under the Act. By July 2005 all public sector entities are expected to fall under the ambit of the Act.
 The Access to Information Unit which was established in June 2002 is responsible for ensuring that government entities are sensitized to the implications of the Act as well as carrying out a general public education programme to inform citizens of their rights under the Act.
We look forward to your feedback on the information contained on this site.
John A Aarons
Government Archivist |
