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

52 Ancestors, week 5-in the kitchen

Memories of childhood, at times, center in the kitchen. For this prompt, I thought I would visualize my Great-Aunt Essie Houston Kitchen. She lived in a two-bedroom tenement on 140th Street up in Harlem, New York. We would visit her once a month after attending church services at the Transfiguration Lutheran Church on West 126th…… Continue reading 52 Ancestors, week 5-in the kitchen