Ep 7. Connecting to Whalers

When people think of the whaling industry, they often think of places like Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, which are famous for their rich maritime history. However, on this episode of Roots Less Traveled, the spotlight is on Sag Harbor, New York, a small village on Long Island that played an important role in the whaling trade during the 19th century.

Host Faruq Tauheed is joined by two lifelong friends, Juana and Leslie, who are both eager to connect with their ancestral roots and learn more about the history of their families. Juana, whose family hails from Trinidad and Tobago, is particularly interested in tracing her roots back to the Caribbean and discovering the ways in which her family's history intersects with the larger story of whaling and seafaring. Leslie, whose family has lived in the Sag Harbor area for generations, hopes to learn more about the ways in which her ancestors might have been involved in the whaling industry, and to explore the connections between her family's history and the broader history of Long Island.

Throughout the episode, Faruq guides Juana and Leslie on a journey of discovery, introducing them to local historians and experts who can shed light on the history of whaling in Sag Harbor. They visit the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, where they learn about the importance of the whaling industry to Sag Harbor's economy and culture during the 19th century. They also meet with members of the Shinnecock Nation, who share their perspectives on the impact that whaling had on the indigenous communities of the area, and the ways in which the whaling industry contributed to wider patterns of colonization and exploitation.

For Juana, one of the highlights of the episode is a visit to the Eastville Community Historical Society, where she learns about the history of African-American communities in Sag Harbor, and the important role that black sailors and mariners played in the whaling industry. She discovers that her own family's history might be tied to this larger story, and comes away with a new appreciation for the ways in which black sailors and whalers helped to shape the history of Sag Harbor and the wider world.

Throughout the episode, Leslie is eager to learn more about her own family's history. She discovers that her great-great-grandfather was a prominent whaling captain during the 19th century, and that her family's legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of Sag Harbor. She visits the home of her great-great-grandfather, which has been preserved as a museum, and learns about the adventurous life that he led as a whaler. She also meets with members of her extended family, who share stories and artifacts that help to flesh out the picture of her family's history in the area.

The episode culminates with a poignant moment of connection between Juana and Leslie, as they reflect on what they've learned about their own family histories and the ways in which those histories intersect with the larger history of Sag Harbor. They share stories and memories, and discover that despite coming from very different backgrounds, they have much more in common than they initially realized. Through their shared journey of discovery, they both come away with a deeper sense of connection to their roots and a new appreciation for the complex and fascinating history of the whaling trade in Sag Harbor.