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.
My heartfelt thanks go to my family, cousins, 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 Special thanks to my followers’ encouragement and information.
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
My Genealogical Journey: 
What a wonderful Blog. I am eager to read more of your findings, and looking forward to discovering more of our family history. How lucky we are to have you there at our beginnings 🙂
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Thank you for your encouragement and coming on this journey.
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Hi, I just found you as one of the nine new Geneabloggers. I look forward to following your discoveries.
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Welcome to blogging your DWI genealogy. I’m so glad to see someone else in the blogosphere working these islands. Looking forward to your posts.
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Thank you for the warm welcome, and for your continued work on these islands…
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I have just posted an announcement to your blog from mine. It’s at http://200inparadise.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-new-st-croix-family-history-blog.html
Hopefully it’ll bring more readers to your site.
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Welcome to the Geneabloggers community! I’ve truly enjoyed my visit at your blog today and look forward to visiting your place in cyberspace again soon. Again welcome!
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I read about your blog via Geneabloggers and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In addition I also learned something because I had never heard about the danish West Indies. The French, British and Dutch (I am Dutch) West Indies yes but the Danes are new to me there. That also includes the fact about the Danes being involved in the slave trade. I thought that was a Dutch specialty 🙂
Anyway, I’ll try to follow your progress, good luck!
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Thank you for the welcome…
Slavery was the economy of the day most countries were involved one way or the other without going into details.
In reference to the danes being involved with the slave trade. Please note that Denmark was the first European nation to end its participation in the slave trade. Ended in 1802.
In St. Croix,, 1848, 3rd day of July
The slaves were emancipated.
The famous Proclamation of Emancipation was read by the Governor General Peter von Sholten
on St. Croix July 3rd 1848
“All unfree in the Danish West India Islands are from to-day free”
Hope this brings some light. Recommended book is “Negotiating Enslavement” Perspectives on Slavery in the Danish West indies. by Arnold R. Highfield and George F. Tyson
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Ohh Shelley, what a great inspiration your blog is. It makes me long for one too!! I have been sitting all morning reading, and can’t wait for a new entry. Hugs, Camilla.
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This is so wonderful ! Shelley are you related to Sam Bough? (this is from Gigi de Lugo- Ron’s daughter & author of CrindelStar)
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Fascinating Shelley… I don’t know why I can’t seem to find a link to follow your blog? … 😉
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Hi Catherine, To follow the blog, try to click where it says “follow blog via email” Thank you for your encouragement shelley
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Thanks Shelley… silly me is already a follower and must have had my head in the clouds when I posted this. Many thanks for getting back to me 🙂
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oopsie… I am following it… silly me… It’s early hours here in Australia and I should be in bed!
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Good luck with your research and journey.
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Thank you very much. There is so much more to discover.
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Best of luck with your journey Shelley. Hope you continue to find inspiration in researching your family!
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All quiet for a year – hope all is well. I’m a descendant of the Beverhoudts from St Croix – I live in Australia and getting info is a bit remote – what did we do before the internet? Is there a register of the graves on St Croix?
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Hello Sandra
Sorry for the delay. Your best bet is the Danish consulate website http://www.dkconsulateusvi.com/ and findagrave. There is a blog of research of the Beverhoudts with David Lynch http://200inparadise.blogspot.com/ Hope this help…
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The only register online is the historical danish cemetery. http://www.dkconsulateusvi.com/hdc/index.html Also see the blog 200 years in paradise for additional information on the Beverhoudts http://200inparadise.blogspot.com/
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Good evening, my name isKarla Cochrane-Gachette. I’m the granddaughter of Blanch Phaire – Cochrane who is danish and was born their in St.Croix. She’s turning 100 yrs old January 2, 2017, and I’m trying to trace back my roots,. If there’s any information needed please feel free to contact me jgachette63@gmail.com,.
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What a blessing to have your grandmother with you all these years. It is truly a family with the gift of longevity. I will email information you may find useful.
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