Sarah Elizabeth Pretto, buried at the Christiansted Cemetery, St. Croix US Virgin Islands. She was the young wife of Morris Alexander Pretto. He was the great-grand son of Nancy my new-found African Ancestor.
Author: 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
Wedding Wednesday- She was just Seventeen
Alfred Ernest Muckle and Julia Cleopatra Bough married on April 26th, 1885 in the English Episcopal Church in Christiansted, Danish West Indies. (Now the US Virgin Islands) As shown in the Register of Marriages 1867-1901 St. Johns Anglican Church. My 3x great-aunt Julia C. Bough was a 17-year-old seamstress, her husband Alfred Ernest Muckle was…… Continue reading Wedding Wednesday- She was just Seventeen
Census Sunday – USVI 1857 (danish period)
Whenever I look at the 1857 census which I retrieved from ancestry.com, I recognize that the composition of the household is of a different time; a time when families lived together. Today, the ancestors could not possibly conceive in their minds, how most families are not living together and rather live apart in distant places.…… Continue reading Census Sunday – USVI 1857 (danish period)