A proclamation order for slaves from 1838 colonial Trinidad

The Colonial Office records date from the 17th century to 1926 and had previously been held at one of Britain's archival stores in Kew, outside London.

Now a three-year project has brought the records online.

"It can open up a lot of doors", archivist Kristy Warren told BBC Caribbean.

"Things that help to build a picture of the Caribbean and the surrounding region as well,...Panama Canal, Florida, Venzuela," she added.

Slavery and beyond

Warren said that all types of documents are to be found in the archives from educational reform, unionisation in the Caribbean and requests to London on a range of issues.

	The pictures and documents chart colonial life in the Caribbean. (Courtesy: National Archives)

The documentation also charts the growing disillusionment across the Caribbean after the March 1807 passing of legislation to abolish slavery.

It would be nearly three decades before many parts of the English-speaking Caribbean experienced actual abolition but word of the legislation reached the colonies in 1807.

Warren said the documentation charts the large and smaller protests which erupted after the abolition bill had been passed.

"It's very emotional sometimes....this could be my ancestor and I don't know, " Warren said.

"It's an amazing opportunity."

After abolition, the documents also chart migration through the Caribbean, the creation of an early Caribbean diaspora, and, in the 19th century, the introduction of telegraphs in the region and the arrival of early steamships bringing tourists.

The archive is actually a summary of material and fuller copies would need to be requested from the National Archives in Britain.

Join the full exhibition through the National Archives.