The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training marks with sadness the passing of Dr. Gail Saunders, the first Bahamian trained as an Archivist, as a pioneer of modern Bahamian culture and education. In addition to the scores of Bahamians shetrained and inspired, her incredible legacy includes her efforts leading to theestablishment of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation and The NationalArt Gallery of The Bahamas and her service as a board member for both organisations.
Dr. Saunders was the premier Bahamian Historian. Through her research she broughtmany new aspects of Bahamian History to light. Her footprints can be seen all throughthe Bahamian History taught in our schools. She edited the Bahamian History Text Bookfor both Primary and Junior Schools, wrote “The Bahamas a History of Islands”, “TheSlave Population” (Her MPhil Thesis), “The Social History of The Bahamas” (her PhD.Thesis) and co-authored, with Dr. Michael Craton, “Islanders in the Streams”, volumes I& II, and, with Patrice M. Williams the present Director of Archives, “Conflict, Controversyand Control”.
Dr. Saunders began her journey in serving The Bahamas in a room at the Ministry ofEducation, where she worked along with Edward Carson, Archivist and Librarian of HerMajesty Customs and Excise, London who served as Archivist from October 1970 toSeptember, 1971. She succeeded him as the Government’s Archivist in 1971 when hedemitted office. She became Director of Archives in 1981 and Director General ofHeritage in July, 2004.
Her exploits as an archivist include the introduction of the historical exhibition when, inFebruary, 1973, the Archives Section hosted the first one entitled “Aspects of Slavery.” These exhibitions continued annually until 2003. Dr. Saunders also served asPresident of The Caribbean Archives Association, President of the Association ofCaribbean Historians and The Bahamas Historical Society. She served as a member ofthe Executive Council on Archives in the International Council on Archives (ICA) between1978 and 1982. Additionally, she assisted the governments of Dominica and the BritishVirgin Islands in the establishment of their National Archives.
As a leader, Dr. Saunders trained a cadre of young officers in the appraisal, acquisition,and arrangement and description of records. She encouraged staff to qualify themselvesand to make the Archives their profession. Additionally, she tried to sensitize governmentofficials in the wider service about the proper care and handling of records.
Dr. Gail Saunders studied Archives Administration and Records Management atUniversity College, London, and has created a body of work that sets an extraordinarystandard and example for scholars and nation-builders across the region. The Ministryoffers sincere condolences to her family on her passing, and offers the thanks of a gratefulnation to God and her family for the gift of her life. She was a great Bahamian. May sherest in peace.
The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training marks with sadness the
passing of Dr. Gail Saunders, the first Bahamian trained as an Archivist, as a pioneer of
modern Bahamian culture and education. In addition to the scores of Bahamians she
trained and inspired, her incredible legacy includes her efforts leading to the
establishment of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation and The National
Art Gallery of The Bahamas and her service as a board member for both organisations.
Dr. Saunders was the premier Bahamian Historian. Through her research she brought
many new aspects of Bahamian History to light. Her footprints can be seen all through
the Bahamian History taught in our schools. She edited the Bahamian History Text Book
for both Primary and Junior Schools, wrote “The Bahamas a History of Islands”, “The
Slave Population” (Her MPhil Thesis), “The Social History of The Bahamas” (her PhD.
Thesis) and co-authored, with Dr. Michael Craton, “Islanders in the Streams”, volumes I
& II, and, with Patrice M. Williams the present Director of Archives, “Conflict, Controversy
and Control”.
Dr. Saunders began her journey in serving The Bahamas in a room at the Ministry of
Education, where she worked along with Edward Carson, Archivist and Librarian of Her
Majesty Customs and Excise, London who served as Archivist from October 1970 to
September, 1971. She succeeded him as the Government’s Archivist in 1971 when he
demitted office. She became Director of Archives in 1981 and Director General of
Heritage in July, 2004.
Her exploits as an archivist include the introduction of the historical exhibition when, in
February, 1973, the Archives Section hosted the first one entitled “Aspects of
Slavery.” These exhibitions continued annually until 2003. Dr. Saunders also served as
President of The Caribbean Archives Association, President of the Association of
Caribbean Historians and The Bahamas Historical Society. She served as a member of
the Executive Council on Archives in the International Council on Archives (ICA) between
1978 and 1982. Additionally, she assisted the governments of Dominica and the British
Virgin Islands in the establishment of their National Archives.
As a leader, Dr. Saunders trained a cadre of young officers in the appraisal, acquisition,
and arrangement and description of records. She encouraged staff to qualify themselves
and to make the Archives their profession. Additionally, she tried to sensitize government
officials in the wider service about the proper care and handling of records.
Dr. Gail Saunders studied Archives Administration and Records Management at
University College, London, and has created a body of work that sets an extraordinary
standard and example for scholars and nation-builders across the region. The Ministry
offers sincere condolences to her family on her passing, and offers the thanks of a grateful
nation to God and her family for the gift of her life. She was a great Bahamian. May she
rest in peace.
