In 2004, a simple call to her great-grandmother ignited the spark that would lead Keila Rochelle Thompson Gough on a remarkable journey—one that would culminate in the creation of a compelling book. While sifting through family documents and faded photographs in her Roatan home, she made a pivotal decision that would consume the next two decades of her life. As a proud descendant of the Cooper family, among the first English settlers to arrive in the Bay Islands in 1834, Keila recognized that the rich history of her ancestors was slipping away—fragmented and frequently misunderstood. What initially started as a matter of personal curiosity gradually evolved into an exhaustive research project, ultimately challenging and reshaping how the world perceives Caribbean colonial history.
The Call to Preserve a Forgotten Legacy
Keila’s journey as a historian began not in academia, but in her living room. “The story of my ancestors and the broader English community on the islands has been fragmented and misunderstood for too long,” she explains. The Bay Islands, located off the coast of Honduras, had witnessed waves of migration from England through the British West Indies, yet their stories remained largely untold in mainstream historical narratives.
What started as a personal family history project quickly revealed a much larger story. Keila discovered that her ancestors weren’t just settlers, they were planters, shipbuilders, doctors, merchants, and community builders who shaped the social and economic development of island life with limited outside support.
Two Decades of Detective Work
The research process proved more challenging than Keila initially imagined. Tracking down authentic documentation meant scouring family archives, official records, and historical repositories across multiple countries. Many documents had deteriorated, others were scattered among descendants living across Honduras, Belize, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and England.
Keila’s background as an editor and contributor to various Bay Islands publications, including Bay Islands Voice magazine, the coffee table book “Roatan Magic: Hidden Jewel of the Western Caribbean,” and the “Roatan Relocation & Investment Guide”, provided her with the skills necessary for such an undertaking. Her ongoing contributions to Paya Magazine since 2023 further established her credibility as a regional historian.
The breakthrough came when Keila realized she had assembled over 300 rare images, including private family photos and legal records that had never been publicly shared. These visual artifacts would become the backbone of her narrative, providing firsthand perspectives on the cultural identity, resilience, and ingenuity of the Bay Islands’ earliest modern inhabitants.
“Piece of the Puzzle” Takes Shape
By 2025, Keila’s decades of research culminated in “Piece of the Puzzle: The History of My Ancestors on the Bay Islands.” The book traces the journey of modern settlers from England to the British West Indies and eventually to the Bay Islands, following the threads of migration, industry, and family heritage that shaped regional development from the 1800s to modern day.
The work stands apart from traditional historical accounts through its intimate, ground-level perspective. Keila writes not as an outside observer, but as someone whose own family story interweaves with the broader historical narrative. The book meticulously documents the colonization period and the eventual cession of the Bay Islands to the Republic of Honduras, events that placed these small islands on international status.
Recognition and Impact
Keila’s work has garnered attention beyond academic circles. She served as an honorary speaker at the Kanahau Museum for the True Utila event in September 2025, sharing her book journey with fellow islanders and historians. Her commitment to education extends through book donations to schools, universities, and libraries throughout the Bay Islands, as well as to prestigious institutions including the Library of Congress and the Mary Evans Picture Library in London.
The book has earned positive reviews on Amazon and is available through Barnes & Noble, reaching readers interested in Caribbean history, genealogy, and colonial studies.
Keila’s presentations at schools, universities, and libraries have become platforms for teaching authentic Bay Islands history, correcting misconceptions, and inspiring new generations to value their cultural heritage.
Building a Movement for Historical Preservation
Beyond her role as author, Keila serves as Vice President of the newly founded Bay Islands Historical and Cultural Preservation Society. The organization conducts field preservation work including historic cemetery cleanups, building documentation, and community education initiatives.
“This is not just about history; it is a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of those who came before,” Keila emphasizes. Her work demonstrates how individual research can evolve into community-wide preservation efforts, ensuring that cultural narratives survive for future generations.
A Living Testament to Cultural Continuity
Keila’s story resonates because it reflects a universal human need to understand where we come from. Her book serves multiple audiences, local residents seeking to understand their heritage, historians requiring authentic documentation, and visitors fascinated by the Bay Islands’ unique cultural identity.
The work proves particularly valuable for the descendants of original settlers, many of whom remain scattered across the globe. For these families, “Piece of the Puzzle” provides missing connections to their ancestral homeland and clarifies their place in Caribbean colonial history.
If you’re interested in authentic Caribbean history told by someone whose family lived it, Keila’s “Piece of the Puzzle” offers an irreplaceable resource. Available in paperback and eBook formats, the book provides meticulously researched insights that bring the past to life while honoring the enduring spirit of a community whose legacy spans continents.
About Keila Thompson
Keila is a first-time author, historian, and Bay Islands cultural preservation advocate. By sharing the stories of the early settlers, Keila has created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. If you are interested in learning more about the Bay Islands’ history or supporting historical preservation efforts, Keila invites you to explore her book, engage with the Bay Islands Historical and Cultural Preservation Society, and become an active participant in preserving the stories that have shaped this unique community.
Piece of the Puzzleis available in both paperback and eBook formats. You can purchase the book from amazon.comandBarnes & Noble.
For more information, follow Keila on her social media platforms:
