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Ms Jamaica Pageant - History

by Marguerite Carby
(Miami Florida)

QUESTION: Marlene Murray was crowned as the FIRST MS. Jamaica 1962 in the year that Jamaica got it's Independence, she was not a Jamaica Festival Queen but the first Ms. Jamaica Independence Queen.

What happened to all the Queens before Jamaica became Independent for example:

Judy Willoughby Ms. Jamaica 1960 crowned Margaret Lewars as Ms Jamaica as 1961.

Margaret Lewars Ms Jamaica 1961 crowned Marlene Murray as Ms Jamaica 1962.

Marlene Murray Ms Jamaica 1962 crowned Carol Joan Crawford as Ms jamaica 1963.

Carole J Crawford Ms Jamaica 1963 crowned Mitzie Constantine as Ms Jamaica 1964 but Carol Joan Mc Farlane represented Jamaica in the MS World Contest.

Do you have any books and pictures of the Former Beauty Queens before Spartan took over I am speaking from years 1956 to 1962

The Jamaica Beauty Contest did not start in 1963 and these facts was given by Ms Marlene Murray who refuses to accept that you are now referring to her as MS Jamaica Festival Queen as she was the LAST "QUEEN" of the Ken Rhino Era and the FIRST Independent Queen when Jamaica got it's Independence in 1962.

Ken Rhino produced the Ms Jamaica Contests from the 50s to 1962.

ANSWER: by Wellesley July 9, 2012


Awesome! Are you Jamaican Marguerite?

You clearly seem to have a good grasp of the history of beauty pageants in Jamaica.

Unfortunately, when much of the original happenings were taking place I was not around :-) and I can't recall seeing nor hearing about a book that captures such history. That would surely be a great piece of literature though! I'll be checking the gleaner archives to see what I can find.

I am also going to solicit suggestions from my seniors, peers and friends on this one. In the meantime, please follow the comments on the link below, I am anticipating that someone will provide some feedback on this soon.

Stay in touch my friend! And thank for this excellent query, turns out I'm learning more from you than you from me on this one :-)

Regards,
Wellesley

Comments for Ms Jamaica Pageant - History

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Sep 05, 2017
 Miss Jamsica 1963 and 1964
by: MEF

Good evening. I read Marguerite Carey's excellent piece and noted something that I believe gives a wrong impression.
Mention is made that Carol Crawford, 1963, crowned Mitzie Constantine 1964 and then the impression is that Carol then went to Miss World. Carol went to Miss World in 1963 AND WON THAT TITLE.
Before we started to host separate contests for Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe, Miss Jamaica always went to the Miss World contest and the first runner-up went to Miss Universe. For some reason, in 1964, the decision was taken that Mitzie would go to Miss Universe and her 1st runner-up, Erica Cooke, would go to Miss World 1964.
Aug 16, 2017
 Miss Jamaica History
by: Anonymous

As a little girl, I loved the Festival and cultural movement. Followed it into adulthood as an active participant.

I hail from Portland and often hear the old timers (then) speak of Jamaica's beauty Queen named Murray. Her family was connected to the Dunbars who had ties in Buff Bay (West Portland)( and links to the Trotters near the Rio Grande in the hills close to Moore Town and the Blue Mountains. The term "Red-de-bo." was the term her family was nicknamed because they were "High color." or what was considered "Pass for White."
Jan 31, 2017
 1968 missJamaic
by: Anonymous

The girl who won, all the special awards was Christine Kemble. She got best kegs, miss congeniality, figure, etc., she got them all, except the miss jamaica title. She was my friend and I was there at national stadium during the competition. She married the photographer, his name, I think, was Stanley Chin.
Dec 10, 2016
 lost friend
by: Anonymous

Paula Roche Reilly, I saw your post. I am Michael's sister. Are you on Facebook? Trying to find you.
Jan 05, 2016
 1968 Miss St. Thomas
by: Lisa

How do I find photos and information on the Miss St. Thomas queen and runners-up from 1968. Such as Ms. Congeniality and best legs etc.

Thanks,
Lisa
Aug 07, 2015
 Murray Family line
by: Anjanette

Hello Ms.Karen Chin Quee Flores

Yes you are related to Marlene Murray her fathers was George William Murray and his parents where William Murray and Ruth Catherine Miller from Portland. So George and Aziriah were brothers. (thank you, I don't have him on my family tree as of yet)
PS. in the event this post twice its because I haven't seen my first reply. thank you
Aug 06, 2015
 Murray Family line
by: Anjanette

Hello Ms. Karen Chin Quee Flores

my Aunt Marlene Murray was a child of George William Murray and Inez Euphemia Dunbar. George's parents where William Murray and Ruth Catherine Miller. So, Yes! you are a relative. I do dabble a little in Genealogy and have some notes on the family line.

Best Wishes
Feb 14, 2015
 Mrs
by: Karen Chin Quee Flores

My mother, Ena Murray had a cousin who was a Miss Jamaica.
I am wondering if Marlene Murray was her cousin? If you happen to read this Ms Marlene Murray can you confirm whether or not my mother whose father was Aziriah Murray and mother who was Rosa Carby was your cousin?

My mother's paternal grandfather was William Murray and her paternal grandmother was Ruth Murray.
They were originally from Portland Jamaica.
Feb 14, 2015
 Mrs
by: Karen Chin Quee Flores

My mother, Ena Murray had a cousin who was a Miss Jamaica.
I am wondering if Marlene Murray was her cousin? If you happen to read this Ms Marlene Murray can you confirm whether or not my mother whose father was Aziriah Murray and mother who was Rosa Carby was your cousin?

My mother's paternal grandfather was William Murray and her paternal grandmother was Ruth Murray.
They were originally from Portland Jamaica.
Dec 23, 2013
 updates
by: Anonymous

Please check with the Festival commission. they ran the contests on behalf of the govt. Lee Binns and another lady-could be joyce Campbell...also the JIS..took photos...a gentleman of Chinese background and he also married one of the young ladies from st ann from the 1968 contest... I had all my books but donated them last year to a library---don't know if they would still have them.
Dec 23, 2013
 updates
by: Anonymous

Please check with the Festival commission. they ran the contests on behalf of the govt. Lee Binns and another lady-could be joyce Campbell...also the JIS..took photos...a gentleman of Chinese background and he also married one of the young ladies from st ann from the 1968 contest... I had all my books but donated them last year to a library---don't know if they would still have them.
Nov 01, 2013
 Trying to make contact with Marlene Murray
by: Helen Matthews

Herll all,

I am trying to make contact with Marlene Murray. Back in Jamaica in the old days we used to be friends, but we lost touch. My email address is helenannmatthews@aol.com. Help if you can.

Here's hoping.
Aug 09, 2012
 Marlene Murray
by: Marguerite

Ms Matthews you can email me and I will forward your information to Marlene so that she can contact you she does not have an email address.
Aug 09, 2012
 Looking for an old friend
by: Helen Matthews

Good day - I have been searching for Marlene Murray and Judy willoughby (I think she is Trinidad) for years. Before I left Jamaica we were friends, I just lost touch and now it seems to be escaoping me. I would love to be able to say (or write a word).

Anyone can help?

Kind regards,
Helen
Aug 08, 2012
 Miss Jamaica
by: Anonymous

I just want to correct a few points Corole Joan was Jamaica First MISS WORLD in 1963 Erica COOKE repres. Jamaica at 1964 Miss World and not Coral McFarlene she was 1965 Miss Jamaica. The Fisst Miss Jamaica was held in 1932 with a Lady from Portland was the winner and it will be great if one of you could do a book about the history of our Beauty Queens before Spartan: Judith Verity Evelyn Andrade Joan Duriple and so on Thanks Winston.
Jul 12, 2012
 Correct Ttile Name for Ms jamaica 1962
by: Marguerite

Hi Wellesley
thanks for your reply I got all this information from Marlene (Murray) who was visiting me that day

It really would be nice if someone could compile a Book of Memories or ALL the Jamaica Beauty Queens, Festival and Farm Queens from 1956 to 2012,

I am sure that this would be a GREAT seller maybe you could have dialog with Mikey Haughton-James and he could check into the older queens..maybe Mr Edward Seaga would have some information that he could contribute

I look forward to reading comments and if someone could clear up the "Title" I would greatly appreciate it

I would think that the "powers that be" would have invited and included her (Marlene Murray) and her Runner Ups, in the "Jamaica 50 Celebrations" considering that she was the reigning Queen at that time.(1962) guess things do not work that way down there

to answer your question yes I am 100% born and bred Jamaican..smile now living in South Florida waiting and anticipating your reply , have a great and safe day..
Jul 11, 2012
 I know three of the Miss Jamaica Beauty Queens
by: Paula Loraine Regina Roche (Reilly)Anonymous

I cannot believe it but I acted at the Ward Theatre with Ms. Willowby, I once dated Michael Crawford and was with his family when Carol his cousin won the Miss Jamaica Contest. She is breathtakingly beautiful. She later became the first Miss Universe from Jamaica!!And finally I was friends with Mitzi Constantine. I also entered the contest with Marlene and was placed I think Runner-up but the title had been changed to another name. It was not the Miss Jamaica contest.

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