The Original Settlers

Since the establishment of the first permanent settlement in 1659 by the East India Company, the island has maintained a substantial and healthy population. The first settlers were primarily English, but there were also Dutch and Portuguese who increased the island's labour force by the importation of slaves from the East Indies and Madagascar. These were later augmented by slaves from the Gold Coast of Africa. From 1679, passing ships were 'taxed' one Madagascaran slave, and slaves were also brought in from Bombay and the Maldives. In 1806, the East India Company brought in 650 Cantonese slaves as gardeners, mechanics and builders: this accounts for the oriental appearance of some islanders.

Following the abolition of the slave trade in Britain and St Helena in 1832 there was a further influx of Africans onto the island as Royal Navy ships captured the slave ships of other nations: the slaves were put ashore on St Helena for hospital treatment before returning to Africa.

Racial Makeup

As a result of its long history of multi-racial integration, the present island population is considered to be made up of:

• 50% African Stock
• 25% Chinese Stock
• 25% European Stock

There are no racial problems.

The Present Day

The population of the island has remained remarkably stable over the last century: there has been little settlement, but the safety valve of emigration has ensured that over-population has never become a problem. Islanders traditionally look to work overseas, and a pilot scheme for islanders to work on the Falkland Islands resulted in 400 applications - over 30% of the island's workforce.

Emigration to South Africa took place in the 19th Century, though not during the 20th because of apartheid - islanders were considered to be coloured and suffered discrimination. During the 20th Century most emigration has been to the United Kingdom, where there is a sizeable population of "Saints". As can be seen from the graph below, sizeable numbers of the population left the island, especially during periods of economic depression.

There is a consistently greater number of females than males on the island, as the men were expected to go abroad to seek work and the girls were expected to stay on the island to bring up the families. During the 1920's and 1930's the sex imbalance evened out, as more women left to serve as domestic staff in the U.K.. However, the Second World War disrupted this pattern as many men left to serve in Commonwealth armed forces. Because they discovered greater opportunities overseas, many of theses servicemen did not return and the sex imbalance again increased. However, following the war women once again left for domestic service and recently the imbalance has been small.

Islanders are keen to leave the island, though they are well aware that life elsewhere is far less tranquil. The last murder on the island occurrred in the 1900's. The willingness to travel decreases somewhat as one leaves Jamestown, where the people are considered somewhat more cosmopolitan. Outlying parts of the island are extremeley rural, and there is a sizeable number of people who have only visited Jamestown infrequently.

The most popular destinations for islanders are presently:

• The Falkland Islands - to work at Mount Pleasant Air Base and elsewhere on construction sites and farms;
• Ascension Island - to work for the BBC and Cable and Wireless, and at the Royal Air Force Base at Wideawake Airfield;
• The United Kingdom - as "domestics" and students.

Paul Carroll, June 15, 2003