BERMUDIANS in search of their history have a new recourse at their disposal. Bermuda Biographies, launched in May, is a collection of thoroughly researched profiles of the leaders and luminaries of Bermuda’s recent, and occasionally distant past.

“I just feel Bermudians do not know enough about their history — it’s there, but it’s scattered,” said the site’s author, Bermuda Sun senior writer Meredith Ebbin.

“I wanted to make it accessible to everyone — mostly school children — but really for anyone who is interested.”

Ms Ebbin began her site with profiles of the three figures she considers to be the “Big Three” of the last century in Bermuda — politicians Henry (Jack) Tucker, Dr. E. F. Gordon and suffragette leader Gladys Morrell.

“I have tried to include Bermudians of all spheres — except for sports, which isn’t really my thing!”

Ms Ebbin, a former Mid-Ocean News reporter, views her work as a community service, but says the biggest cost is her own time. As a reporter, she has a dedication to research and accuracy. Consequently, she has spent hours in the National Archive and Library.

“I’ve looked over records of birth, marriage and death for all of my profiles. Beyond that, I have relied heavily on published material, such as books and past newspaper articles. I have also had them reviewed by other historians and people who are knowledgeable on the subject.”

The homepage of this handsomely designed site features a brief history of the first commercial flight to Bermuda under “This Month in History”, a tribute to Dame Lois Browne Evans (pictured> as well as a profile of L. Frederick Wade and a link to a list of biographies.

“The idea is that the front page will change every month. For instance, this month will feature a history of the Sea Venture, as well as a profile of (the late civil servant and social scientist) David Critchley — who was born this month.”

Ms Ebbin admitted that her selection of subjects for the site was completely random, although she tended to write what she knows.

“I started with the ‘Big Three’ and from there moved it to educators and Mary Prince — the freed Bermudian slave whose first-hand account of her ordeal was a major bestseller in 19th century Britain and helped mobilise public opinion in that country against the slave trade. She is someone I’m quite interested in.

“Because I had done work for the National Gallery on Byllee Lang (a Canadian sculptor who moved to Bermuda in the 1940s) that one was easy, I just had to adapt the research I already had.

“I see the site as filling a niche in Bermuda. People just don’t know their history. In every other country there are books and sites like this one, but not here.

“In fact, I sort of based my web site on a similar one in New Zealand — which is done by their department of culture, I believe.”

The web site, designed by communications specialist Chris Gibbons, stands as a notable addition to Bermuda’s admittedly thin historiography.

The biographies, although lengthy and detailed, all offer a ‘learn more’ link, where readers can discover recourses to further illuminate Bermuda’s history.

“When I was editor oI>The Bermudian, we used to get calls every now and then from parents needing help for their kids’ projects,” said Ms Ebbin.

“The calls were always frantic, and they didn’t know how to get to the magazine and so on. All they needed was in the library, of course, but they didn’t know that.

“School children are the obvious audience for the web site, but it’s for all Bermudians really. I still get calls from people looking for this sort of information.

“There are so many people to do — I could go on for years! But I don’t want to restrict the site to Bermudians . . . I also want to include important Governors or anyone who came to Bermuda and left their footprint here.”

On the internet:

www.bermudabiographies.bm

History online