The Course
Shaking the
Family Tree
A six-week course that guides you through writing your family history with depth, skill, and cultural sensitivity — adapted specifically for Indo-Guyanese families.
Curriculum
Six Weeks of Discovery
Context & Era
How historical context — era, geography, and culture — shapes the stories our families tell and the ones they silence.
Roles & Values
Exploring how family roles, expectations, and values move across generations, from India to Guyana to the diaspora.
Rituals & Artifacts
How rituals (pujas, weddings, festivals) and artifacts (photographs, recipes, clothing) reveal identity and belonging.
Craft: Bringing Relatives to Life
Essential writing craft tools to bring relatives to life on the page — dialogue, scene-setting, and sensory detail.
Voice & Narrative
Developing a strong narrative voice and learning to shape meaningful, resonant stories from raw family material.
Final Presentation
Presenting your completed family history project and celebrating the stories you've uncovered and preserved.
Cultural Adaptation
Enriched for Indo-Guyanese Families
The standard GAB curriculum is powerful on its own. Here's how we adapt each area to address the specific genealogical and cultural needs of the Indo-Guyanese community.
| Area | Standard Curriculum | Indo-Guyanese Enrichment |
|---|---|---|
| Record Retrieval | Census and church records | Navigating the Guyana National Archives for ship registers and immigrant certificates |
| Cultural Context | General family dynamics | Exploring the impact of the "jahajee" (ship brother/sister) bond formed during indentureship |
| Storytelling Format | Written memoirs | Incorporating oral history techniques to capture the rhythm of Guyanese Creolese |
| Thematic Focus | General life milestones | Addressing themes of double migration, cultural preservation, and strengthening family identity across generations |
Pricing
Accessible to All
Introductory Workshop
$45 – $75
2 hours
A lead-generating session offering immediate value through basic genealogy tips and a taste of the full curriculum.
- Introduction to Indo-Guyanese genealogy
- Basic family tree construction
- Overview of archival resources
- Group sharing exercise
Full 6-Week Course
$250 – $350
6 weeks, 2.5 hrs/session
The complete Shaking the Family Tree experience, adapted for Indo-Guyanese families with cultural enrichment modules.
- All 6 curriculum modules
- Guided writing exercises
- Peer story-circle feedback
- Archival research guidance
- Final presentation coaching
- Student handouts included
Premium Coaching
$500+
Customized
One-on-one intensive support for individuals navigating specific research roadblocks or complex family narratives.
- Personalized research plan
- 1-on-1 writing mentorship
- Archival document interpretation
- Family narrative structuring
- Ongoing email support
Join the Next Cohort
New cohorts begin regularly at mandirs, community centers, and online via Zoom. Sign up to be notified when the next session opens for enrollment.
Get on the Waitlist
Be the first to know when enrollment opens. Plus, receive a free writing prompt to get started.
Early Access
Be first to enroll in new cohorts
Free Prompts
Receive writing prompts before the course
Community
Connect with other Indo-Guyanese writers
Where to Teach
Teaching Venues
Mandirs & Community Centers
Richmond Hill (Queens), Ozone Park, South Florida, Greater Toronto Area
Hindu temples and community halls are trusted gathering spaces where the diaspora already congregates for cultural events.
Partner Organizations
Indo-Caribbean Alliance (NYC), Guyana Cultural Association, Jahajee Sisters
Established nonprofits with built-in audiences and community trust. Ideal for co-hosted workshops and series.
Online via Zoom
Global — connecting New York, Toronto, London, Guyana
Digital delivery allows family members in different countries to participate together, bridging the diaspora.