Kyle Joustra’s Genealogical Treasure Trove on Ceylonese & Sri Lankans

Michael Roberts

KYLE JOUSTRA lives in Melbourne  and has assiduously pursued his accumulation  of data on Sri Lankan lineages for  decades. I sought information  from him  when subject to a vicious personal attack recently. It strikes me that few Sri Lankans are aware of  Kyle’s store  of information.  The initial clarification of his genealogical researches set out below by Kyle is a belated  introduction to his capacities and the ‘treasures’ he can root out.

MEMO FROM KYLE  JOUSTRA, 14 September 2025

There are those who carry on about my work that I am not a professional genealogist  and that I should give all the information free to everyone. If I were to break this down.

• At what point does a genealogist become professional – I started the database in earnest in 1999 and was learning the art several years prior. I have organised a massive database of all people connected to Ceylon/Sri Lanka of hundreds of thousands of people and meticulously cross referenced wherever possible a review information continuously. The enormity of my work and potential dangers led to me adjusting how the information is handled and shared (something that typically occurs when you go from Amateur to Professional).  I protect people’s privacy both living and their security details used for questions. When I do charge it is a miniscule amount which goes back into getting and expanding the database further, and the long term goal is for people to have access in a protected environment and help future generations. The hours put into this project are frankly ridiculous however it would be safe to say for every day since May 1999 I would have easily put in 1hr per day average. Therefore is the definition of a professional that I should charge exorbitant amounts and I get a fancy degree, I think not!
• There is so much incorrect data on the internet and others claiming they know much more than me and want me to share and prove my work, yet I know if I do this it would just lead to another attack or truth they do not wish to accept, quite often born by racist opinions. I therefore simply say when people do get a report that everything is there and its all in black and white, how they wish to interpret this is beyond my professional ability or care.
• Most importantly if I was to be distracted from the task at hand and respond to every single commentary then the purpose and task would grind to a halt. Let the work and others talk for you  and let those that yell loudly deafen in silence.

                                                        &&&&&&&&&&&&

Kyle Joustra …. International Ceylon Database

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