Catalogue description Colonial Office: Windward Islands Original Correspondence

Search within or browse this series to find specific records of interest.

Date range

Details of CO 321
Reference: CO 321
Title: Colonial Office: Windward Islands Original Correspondence
Description:

This series contains original correspondence relating to the Windward Islands.
Note: Catalogue entries for this series have been enhanced as part of a project supported by Volunteers
Date: 1874-1951
Arrangement:

Bound volumes arranged chronologically within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). 'Despatches' are further divided by individual colonies within the federation. Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 onwards correspondence is arranged in subject files.
Related material:

For earlier correspondence relating to Barbados see CO 28

For earlier correspondence relating to Grenada see CO 101

For earlier correspondence relating to St Lucia see CO 253

For earlier correspondence relating to St Vincent see CO 260

For earlier correspondence relating to Tobago see CO 285

See also CO 318

For later records see CO 1031
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Physical description: 444 files and volumes
Unpublished finding aids:

For registers of correspondence before 1850 see CO 326, from 1850 see CO 376. For registers to Barbados correspondence see CO 565.

Administrative / biographical background:

In 1833 Grenada, St Vincent, Tobago and Barbados were united as the government of the Windward Islands. St Lucia was added in 1838. Barbados was separated in 1885, and in 1889 Tobago was separated and attached to Trinidad. Dominica (formerly part of the Leeward Islands) joined the government in 1940. In 1956 the government of the Windward Islands was dissolved and four separate colonies (Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia and Dominica) were established under one governor. The post of governor of the Windward Islands was abolished in 1960 and a new constitution was introduced in each territory.

Have you found an error with this catalogue description?

Help with your research

How to look for...