Black History celebrates the narrative of Harold G. Bough, Merchant Marine.

We are one week in the celebration of Black History Month, a month of recognizing the achievements and contributions of African-American people in the diaspora. For those of us who value our ancestry and history, join me in focusing on your family’s contributions that made a meaningful impact to your community and the larger society.

As we do our research, we will discover the many small and large influences that our family members have made to enhance the quality of life of others, and which still remains an impact today.

So get to work, dig into the wealth of information out there, then document and share your proud heritage weekly.   Be sure to leave a link to your post in the comments of this post.

I have already started and so far, I have uncovered that My great, great, great-uncle Harold Bough had served 24 years in the US Navy when the Spanish-American War was being fought.

A 1932 St. Croix Tribute Newspaper Article also indicated that he was in Chinese waters for the Boxer Rebellion with the Party of American Surveyors in 1894, he crossed the proposed route from the Atlantic to Pacific of the Nicaraguan canal, a project that was considered before the present Panama Canal Route had been decided upon, and from 1879-83 he was stationed in the Pacific during the Peruvian and Chilean War.

haroldarticletribune
Printout about Harold Bough from G. James Fleming Article “Journal and Guide of VA

Harold Bough was the son of Ida Rosalie Keutsch and George Bough both of St. Croix US Virgin Islands formerly the Danish West Indies.   He met and married Maggie J. Keeling of Norfolk Virginia and settled in Portsmouth Virginia together they had eight (8) daughters known as the “Bough Girls”

Harold Bough who left the shores of St. Croix to St. Thomas and sailed around the World twice as a Merchant Marine was honored to serve.  Harold Bough died in Portsmouth, VA at the age of 84 years old.

haroldboughmili-headstoneapp
Rosalyn Bough applies for Military Headstone for her father Harold Bough.

 

As Bell Hooks explains, “reclaim their history, call their names, state their particulars,  gather and remember, to share our inheritance”

The theme:   Weekly Black History Narrative  (from your family tree.)

I look forward to reading your story.  Don’t forget to leave a comment with a link to your weekly Black History Narrative.  Or contact me by email at its.sheldew@gmail.com

 

By shelley dewese

With over 40 years in the Virgin Islands, I am a New Yorker with deep roots in the Danish West Indies, researching surnames Bough, Beaudhuy, and Gasper. Uncovering my history has revealed unknown aspects of my ancestry, shaping my present identity. I find joy in sharing stories and connecting with others. As a transcriptionist researcher, I compiled the digitized St. Croix Population Database, drawing from Danish, American, and Virgin Islands archives. I am a proud member of organizations like the Society of Virgin Islands Historian, Friends of Denmark and Ujima Genealogy Research Group. My dream of exploring Danish West Indies ancestors became a reality through the St. Croix Population Database and access to collections at the St. Croix Landmarks Society. I recently launched the VI Headline Rewinds podcast, delving into vintage Virgin Islands newspapers. I appreciate the support of collaborators and followers. For assistance with Danish West Indies genealogy, feel free to reach out via email. its.sheldew@gmail.com

9 comments

      1. I am working on a book about the Tuskegee Airmen Nurses. I have been working on the research since 2009. My mother was one of them serving with Kathryn Bough Nichols at Tuskegee Army Air Field. I am in touch with Bough’s daughter and working on the stories of the 28 nurses who served there from 1942-1946. I found your site recently which helped me fill in some of the blanks about her life.

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  2. Amazing piece of history you’ve found! Would be interesting to see what became of the “Bough Girls” and their lineage.

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  3. What a wonderful article! Harold Bough was my grandfather, so I am able to fill in some of the history about his life in the USA – especially with regard to the “Bough girls”. I note, though, that to the best of my knowledge, there were only seven girls, not eight. Here goes:
    1. Rosalind Bough: 3/1/1898 – 5/17/1969
    2. Gwendolyn Bough Fortesque: 11/22/1903 – 6/27/1970
    3. Italina Bough Askew: 10/7/1906 – 9/13/1943
    4. Kathryn Bough Nichols (my Mom): 3/18/10 – 12/18/2004
    5. Margaret Bough: 4/27/1902 – 2/21/1922
    6. Sarah Bough: 7/14/1913 – 9/24/1931
    7. Charlotte Bough Bradford: 6/26/18 – 2/9/1902

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