52 ancestors in 52 Weeks # 6 From Danish West Indies, to The Philippines
The Theme of this week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is “So Far Away”
Week No. 6 challenge: So Far Away. Which ancestor is the farthest from you, either in distance or in time/generations? Which ancestor have you had to go the farthest away to research?
Irvin Gustavus Bough
Dr. Irving G. Bough, the brother of my 3rd great-grandfather was born on November 18, 1872, on St. Croix, Danish West Indies. In 1892 he left St. Croix to complete his education in Boston, Massachusetts. After earning his medical degree he joined a missionary group bound for The Philippines. He settled in Carigara Leyte, The Philippines where he married and fathered about 9 children. Although he never returned to his native St. Croix, he kept up constant communication with his siblings. In 1944 Dr. Irvin G. Bough died in Leyte, The Philippines at the age of 72.
1900 US Census Dr. Irvin Bough living in Boston MA
In July 1997 the descendants of Dr. Irvin Bough traveled to St. Croix, their father’s ancestral home to attend a family reunion. I had heard stories about the family and the Philippines connection and now I was meeting them for the very first time. The family historian read a heartfelt letter from her great-grandfather in which he asked his children to never forget his beloved family of St. Croix. Stories of the migration of their ancestor from St. Croix to The Philippines were told with so much emotion. Love and happiness as well as tears of joy filled the room as we embraced, danced and shared stories of the history and genealogy.
In 2012, the Boughs came together again on St Croix. The love and comradely displayed by all brought a closeness that continues even today. The descendants of Dr. Irvin G. Bough my great, great, great-uncle are certainly carrying out his wishes that is, to keep their beloved relatives of St. Croix in their hearts and mind. Today, most of the family lives between California, Hawaii, and New Jersey.
The descendants of Dr. Irvin G. Bough
Resources:
US Census Ancestry.com
Bough Family Reunion Booklet 1997
As I continue to search out my history, I am discovering how much I did not know. The more information disclosed about my ancestry, the more I learn and understand how I am the person that has evolved today.
My family's research efforts have taken me on an enlightening journey back through the past in the U. S. Virgin Islands (formerly Danish West Indies) and Coastal Georgia. As with most people of Afro-Caribbean descent, my ancestry stems from peoples brought together by colonialism and conquest; it stems from people thrown together, albeit forcibly, by the throes of enslavement. As a result, my DNA tells me that my people originate in Africa, Europe, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Lesser Antilles, and Leeward Caribbean Islands.
Two collections made my dream to research my ancestors in the Danish West Indies a reality. I have conducted extensive research using the St. Croix Population Database 1734-1917, a St. Croix African Roots Project product, and a research and document transcription effort sponsored by the Virgin Islands Social History Associates (VISHA). The other catalyst has been accessing the extensive photo, manuscript, and microfilm collections at the Library and Archives of the St. Croix Landmarks Society at Estate Whim in St. Croix.
My heartfelt thanks go to all my cousins, extended "cousin-family," friends, and research colleagues from the St. Croix-based Virgin Islands Ancestry Discovery Group, for their input and collaboration. I also want to thank the UJima Genealogy Group in Coastal Georgia and GlynnGen.com; webmaster Amy Hendrick has introduced me to Southern History and its people.
This site allows you to transform yourself to a time during the Danish period (1734-1917) when life was both complex and straightforward. If you have any questions, comments, or need assistance searching for a Danish West Indies ancestor, I invite you to drop me an email. Its.sheldew@gmail.com
I especially appreciate the followers' encouragement.
That is so exciting, Shelly !!!! I havn;t been able to keep up with all the weeks. Will figure out how to go back and read them now that I’m settled for a couple weeks.
Hello, So nice to read about my grandfather, Irvin Gustavus Bough, whom I have not met yet. Thank you and I will share with my brother and sisters, Gina Lucille Bough Sisti.
Hello Family:
It is so nice to hear from you and that the post gave you some insight to your grandfather. Any information that you can contribute is very welcomed as well. The Boughs came together in St. Croix in 2012 https://shelleyskylinejourney.com/2013/07/24/wordless-wednesday-family-reunion-revisited/ I hope that you can be a part of the next reunion. Thank you for the visit and please give my greetings to your siblings.
My grandmother was Bough before she married Alfred Ernest Muckle my grandmother name is Julia Cleopatra Bough!! am the daughter of Elma Muckle Gordon the last child she had she died in 1959 she died In Islip Suffolk County NY at Pilgrim State Hospital when I was 13 months old!! Elma married George Hugh Gordon he died in 1955 in Manhattan ny I was born in 1958 George Hugh Gordon is not my father he and Elma got divorced in the 1930’S she kept her married name
My Genealogical Journey: 
That is so exciting, Shelly !!!! I havn;t been able to keep up with all the weeks. Will figure out how to go back and read them now that I’m settled for a couple weeks.
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Hello, So nice to read about my grandfather, Irvin Gustavus Bough, whom I have not met yet. Thank you and I will share with my brother and sisters, Gina Lucille Bough Sisti.
LikeLike
Hello Family:
It is so nice to hear from you and that the post gave you some insight to your grandfather. Any information that you can contribute is very welcomed as well. The Boughs came together in St. Croix in 2012 https://shelleyskylinejourney.com/2013/07/24/wordless-wednesday-family-reunion-revisited/ I hope that you can be a part of the next reunion. Thank you for the visit and please give my greetings to your siblings.
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My grandmother was Bough before she married Alfred Ernest Muckle my grandmother name is Julia Cleopatra Bough!! am the daughter of Elma Muckle Gordon the last child she had she died in 1959 she died In Islip Suffolk County NY at Pilgrim State Hospital when I was 13 months old!! Elma married George Hugh Gordon he died in 1955 in Manhattan ny I was born in 1958 George Hugh Gordon is not my father he and Elma got divorced in the 1930’S she kept her married name
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