One hundred and sixty-six years ago, Alexander Kwame Cambridge and Lisa Viola Johnson-Cambridge met in the years following the emancipation of slavery in what was then British Guiana.
Together, they built a family and raised eight children: Lydia Banda, Julia Mapsy, Eugenie Elizabeth, Hannah, Petronella Belinda, Esau Alexander, Jacob and Joseph Thomas. One of those children, Eugenie Elizabeth CambridgeKendall, was my grandmother.
They could not have imagined that, over 150 years later, six generations of their descendants would be living in Guyana, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and that we would gather to honor their legacy.
They endured separation, migration, and colonialism during an extremely challenging era for Black people across the world. Generations later, we the descendants united to celebrate survival, resilience, heritage, and an extraordinary family legacy.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also reflect on the Christian journey this family has travelled, from Methodists to Seventh-day Adventists. Today, I firmly believe that the power of prayer has covered all of us, and no doubt played its part in making this reunion a reality.
More than the shift in denomination, though, what truly shaped us was three sisters’ quiet, faithful role. I recently learned that Lydia, Petra, and Hannah gathered regularly and prayed intentionally, not just for each other, but for their children, their children’s children, and generations they would never live to see. I believe much of who we are today and this reunion is the fruit of those prayers.
Their legacy lies not only in their beliefs, but in the faithful and persistent way they prayed them into reality.
The ALC gathering was held from 2nd to 7th July 2026.
On 29 June, I traveled from London with my twin sister Kaye and her two children Kemi and Tunji for the reunion. It was my first visit to Guyana in 22 years and Kaye’s first in 40 years. This trip was more than a return to childhood memories; it reaffirmed the enduring strength of our family bonds.
People often say families only gather for weddings or funerals, that is often true, but this reunion was different. Before we left London, many remarked, “I don’t think I could get fifty members of my own family together, let alone relatives from different countries.” Another said, “Wow, a family tree going back to the 1800s and 200 of you are meeting, that is amazing.” Their reactions underscored the significance of our gathering.
I have full admiration for the organising committee. Coordinating over 200 family members from four countries required meticulous planning, patience, genealogical research, and a strong commitment to promoting our family history.
They did more than organize an event; they honored our lineage and created a space for generations to connect through a shared history spanning more than 150 years.
I would also like to thank Michael, who consistently and patiently reminded me about registration, photos, and updates, ensuring we met every deadline.
The reunion began with registration and Friday’s meet-and-greet, where I reconnected with relatives I had not seen in decades and as we did so, I wondered what Alexander and Lisa would think of their descendants arriving from London, Toronto, New York, and cities across North America from a life they could never have imagined.
Although I knew from our pre-reunion Zoom calls how many would attend, seeing everyone gathered in one room was deeply moving.
Sunday night’s gala was particularly memorable. We celebrated in our regalia, listened to a presentation on the Cambridge family tree, and ended the evening dancing to DJ Shrimpy.
On Monday, although rain threatened our planned fun day, the sun emerged with defiance, and we enjoyed a dry day filled with traditional Guyanese food, cake, games, and laughter.
As I write these final thoughts on my flight back to England, I realise this gathering exceeded my expectations. A few conversations, in particular, will stay with me:
In my conversation with Gordon Fraser and Reynolds (Lydia clan), I learned that Reynolds began by studying theology, later earned a PhD in Mathematics, and is now a Dean at a college in Connecticut.
Shelly, also from the Lydia clan, holds a Doctorate in training surgical nurses and provided the genealogy template used in Friday’s meet-and-greet presentation. She received it from her sister, who, based on my conversation with Shelly, in my view, should consider writing a book on genealogy.
I learned about Jhannelle’s BBQ business and Gavin’s transition from working at the airlines to becoming a fireman. A conversation with Nikko stood out, though, as he shared his perspectives on life and his deep knowledge of Black history. He also described his journey from Army Special Ops to launching and building a successful engineering company. Really great conversation.
As we said our goodbyes at the end of the fun day, I realised that there are many bright and highly accomplished individuals in this family. It is impressive.
Those conversations also revealed my one regret: there were not enough structured opportunities to meet and connect with members of other clans.
We naturally gravitate toward those we already know. More structured group activities would have encouraged connections across clans, as every branch of our family tree holds stories, achievements, and opportunities yet to be shared. That would have been the icing on the cake for me.
After more than 20 years away from Guyana, I found the country has transformed beyond recognition. The visit allowed my sister and I to revisit our father’s grave and old landmarks like our school, including Carmel Church, where Gordon Fraser delivered a stirring sermon on the Potter and Kemi beautifully sang “The Goodness of God.”
This trip gave me the impetus, after a visit to my cousin Winston Patterson, to write a piece about my father, Hector Patterson, and the impact he had on so many lives, even though he passed away over 50 years ago.
In the end, this was a truly memorable family reunion, and unforgettable weekend. May the story Alexander and Lisa begin 166 years ago continue through future generations to gather in love and strength.
