On American Thanksgiving Day I came across these turn of the century pictures from Jamaica. Looking at homes made before zinc roofs and with walls made of bamboo, we have much to be thankful for these days.

http://content.cdlib.org/search?facet=type-tab&relation=calisphere.universityofc alifornia.edu&style=cui&keyword=Jamaica&x=23&y=11

Fascinating, Mike!
I wonder though how certain you are that these are pictures from Jamaica?
Some definitely look Jamaican; others (particularly some of the people) not so much so, even though, I acknowledge that as turn of the 20th century scenes, they might not be too familiar to us in the 21st century.
If, indeed, they are Jamaican then I would assume that the devastated brick buildings might have been those destroyed in the 1907 earthquake that struck Kingston.

Very cool!

This one was title "Belle of the Jamaican village". I say it better not rain!

If you look at the bottom of each picture it will allow you to click to see the back side which offers additional information. The picture with the mass of sugar cane says it is from Montego Bay! I recognize a view of Navy Island, probably near the site of the Bonnie View. What really struck me is how huge the ferns are and the mass of Traveler palms. Kingston back then has much in common with Falmouth. I'm glad I got to experience the donkey ladys when I first came to Treasure Beach.

Village scene

Navy Island

Just think about this: The older lady in that photo could well have been born a slave. From the look of the hut as well it may have been a legacy of life on a slave plantation. When you look at that picture it brings home the fact that these people featured were not that far removed from that cruel system. And while they struggled to stay dry in such hovels those who exploited them lived in luxurious great houses here in Jamaica or back in the UK.
Even as a child growing up in the 1960's and '70's there were still a few of those wattle and daub/ thatched roof houses still around in Treasure Beach.

Oops I meant add a different picture

This one is titled "Fording a stream with sugar cane near Montego Bay"

Brilliant!! I think this must be one of the best pictorial contributions to the site. So many fascinating photographs from the 1800's (as indicated on the reverse of some)leaves a strange feeling of excitement, like finding a treasure. Thanks MilwaukeeMike.

It IS great seeing these picture, it is love and hate for me with these picture. Some of these picture look like they were taken in the US, where ever they were taken they are awsome.Thank's for posting them.

Beautiful addition.

Thanks MikeyMike. Very interesting, especially the last one with the ox-drawn carts. I've never seen that in Jamdown before.

Hi! I'm doing some research into Jamdung during that period and am thrilled and fascinated to see your pics. Are they from YOUR family or how did you find them? WOW? When I was a girl back home St. Mary we never had cameras and I would so have loved to have captured similar scenes from my childhood. Can you tell me how I can get permission to copy the pictures for my own DEM OLE DAYS ALBUM? Thanks a million for sharing.