SINGAPORE - Curious about her Eurasian heritage, Ms Cecilia Martin embarked on a quest in 2022 to trace the roots of her maternal family history.
Over a few months, Ms Martin, 69, pieced together the Santa Maria family tree leading back to the 1700s and spanning eight generations.
The bank executive found the information on a genealogy website, and confirmed it with St Joseph’s Church in Singapore and St Peter’s Church in Malacca, which kept the family’s baptism and marriage records.
The Santa Maria family, which is of Portuguese origin and alternatively spelt as Sta Maria, is one of 57 Eurasian family trees displayed at the Eurasian Travelling Exhibition.
Ms Martin told The Straits Times at the exhibition’s official launch at Woodlands Regional Library on March 16 that the family tree was significant for the younger generations.
She said: “This will be very valuable information for them in the next many, many generations, to see how far back they go.”
The exhibition showcases the history, culture and contributions of the Eurasian community in Singapore. It is currently at the Woodlands Regional Library till March 26.
This is the final stop for the exhibition, which has been to four regional libraries since June 2024.
Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar was the guest-of-honour at the exhibition’s launch on March 16.
She is part of the current five-person Sembawang GRC, which includes Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Ms Poh Li San, Mr Vikram Nair and Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report on March 11 recommended a new Sembawang West SMC, carved out of the current Sembawang GRC.
Asked about the impending General Election, Ms Mariam told ST that the candidates for Sembawang GRC and the new single-member constituency have not been confirmed yet.
“Anything can happen. Of course, I love this area, Sembawang GRC and Woodlands, so we’ll see what happens,” she said.
Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar (centre) touring the Eurasian Travelling Exhibition at Woodlands Regional Library on March 16.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
“But either way, I think the boundaries have changed a bit so that we have now six MPs that will be serving the area, and I think that’s great, to have more representation for everyone.”
Mr Ong had said on March 12 that the new SMC will remain an integral part of the Sembawang family.
The EBRC report recommended 33 electoral divisions, comprising 18 GRCs and 15 SMCs. The Government will implement them in the next general election, which must be held by November.
Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore.
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