Maïa Germany, 47 years old, is on a quest to find her roots in Martinique

Maïa Germany, of Martinican origin, is a librarian residing in mainland France and has been trying for 5 years to reconnect with her family in Martinique.

After the passing of her grandfather and then her father Michel alias Mike Germany, she wants to reestablish ties with her roots and rebuild connections with her relatives.

The research efforts remain complex.

While in Martinique for the scattering of her father’s ashes, she explains the importance of her journey.

“I am the granddaughter of Grégoire Germany, who was born in Gros Morne, and the daughter of Michel Germany, born in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, who brought me to Martinique when I was young with his extra vacation days, showing me Martinique when I was very young. Indeed, I lost track of my grandfather for 30 years, with whom I had close bonds. He passed away in mainland France, but was repatriated to Martinique. It took me time to find his grave and I was only able to locate it in 2021. So, now I know that he rests in Rivière-Salée, in the family tomb. I am trying to make contact through this, having found the tomb, leaving notes every time I visit, with my contact information. It’s just to rebuild connections. I need to have an even stronger link to Martinique. I have a link at the moment with the people who have passed away, as I repatriated my father’s urn and scattered it here.”

A common surname

The search is even more complicated as the surname “Germany” is very common in Martinique.

“It’s not easy because Germany is a large family. And as my neighbor in mainland France, who is from next to me and is named Germany, said to me: it’s good, it’s practical to be named Germany in Martinique, but it’s not practical for everything because there are also doors that close.”

Listen to: Maïa Germany confides more about her journey to Mélika Grutus.

You can contact Maïa Germany on her Instagram account e_giarany.