Among the many events during the festive holiday season on St. Croix is that once the year ends. On the first day of the New Year, it is a Virgin Island family tradition to get together to take that long scenic drive to the far east of the island to watch the first sunrise. This is where the most easternmost point of the United States which is called, Point Udall, is located.
To capture this spectacular sunrise scene, you have to be on your way no later than 5am or else, there would be no sunrise at Point Udall for you. My feelings at the time were: hey, you see one sunrise at Pont Udall, you see it all. I needed 40 more winks.
When the family returned, it was not like any other sunrise. They were excited about meeting the son of Scranton, PA, Joe Biden at Point Udall. My granddaughters talked about how he was so nice and did not mind taking pictures and selfies.
Below is my favorite lucky photo because it reflects a sense of value and wholeness for the everyday person
L-R Breanna, Brielle, (now) President Joe Biden, Britni, and Brynn Ward at Point Udall, St. Croix Virgin Islands.
Who could have known how that celebration of the January 1st, 2018 sunrise would have turned out.?
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.
My Genealogical Journey: 