The Colonisation of the Virgin Islands

Did you know that the Virgin Islands were under six empires? I’m a born and raised Virgin Islander with roots there going back nearly 300 years. When I started researching my family I quickly realised that Virgin Islands history is far more complex and interesting than I ever imagined.
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In this video, I introduce you to the history of the Virgin Islands and why it’s a historically fascinating place.
🕰 Content
Intro 0:22
Where are the Virgin Islands? 01:00
Who lived in the Virgin Islands? 02:00
Pirate's Hideaway to early Colony 03:03
The emergence of the Dutch and Danish 04:30
French Settlement 06:00
English claim 06:45
A curious bunch 08:27
Dansk Vestindien 10:23
Quakers and Non-conformist Protestants 11:00
The Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico 11:30
The 1917 Transfer 12:34
20th Century to Present 13:10
Available Records 13:45
Outro 14:36
🎥 Why I do Genealogy: • Tracing My Caribbean A...
🎥 How to Get Started: • Caribbean Ancestry Gui...
📖 Further Reading
Harrigan, Norwell, and Pearl Varlack. The Virgin Islands Story. Ginn, 1975.
Origins and genetic legacies of the Caribbean Taino
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
Dansk-Vestindien, 1672-1917
danmarkshistor...
from danish west indies to america’s poorhouse
smallaxe.net/sx...
Puerto Rico History
en.wikipedia.o...
Artists before Columbus: A multi-method characterization of the materials and practices of Caribbean cave art
www.sciencedir...
Dansk Vestindien med tilgrændsende spanske og engelske Kolonier
www5.kb.dk/maps...
Charte over den Danske Øe St: Jan i America
www5.kb.dk/maps...
📚 Resources
Guy Grannum: Tracing Your Caribbean Ancestors
tinyurl.com/Gr...
grannum.wordpr...
Southwark Libraries: Tracing your Caribbean family
www.southwark....
Family Search Wiki
www.familysear...
🎵 Music
artlist.io/Dex...
*This video may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.

[@cover_mystic545]

Some of the Danish archives are very interesting, when Denmark sold the virgin islands, part of the agreement Was that the Danes took all of their archives with them back to Denmark. This means that there’s a lot of stuff. On the whole, the stories are often one sided ( written by Danes to Danes for the use of Danes) but that still gives stuff like tax collection papers that can be used to locate where people lived during events. So those archives, the stories and myths, plus archeological discoveries can stitch together something as close to reality as we will get, extremely valuable in the search for truth. The fact that Rigsarkivet put everything online in both Danish and English for people to read for free, is honestly just impressive!

[@robkunkel8833]

A great comment. And the English burned all the records of Stacia forever destroying any inquiry to that part of history that could have been found by these records. // Also, it is strange to think how parts of the various islands were by the Danes. By default. ‘Oj by gosh … me thinks I want to be here. Slaves, live here with me and I j’will be happy. ‘

[@cover_mystic545]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@robkunkel8833 Man that’s rough, what a tragic loss for the communities tied to those records. Especially because it is highly doubtful that was a single case of burning records. It would definitely be easier to dispose of the records to make room for other records, especially if the records had to transported any long distance.

[@MichaelKaa-dx2hj]

Well.....Generaly danes are wery impressive

[@alonhansen3613]

Thank you for these nuggets of information as I’ll be using them to track the Petersens and Hansens, some of the main family surnames I share.

[@ItsMeKeda]

You speak so calmly about it all. Meanwhile, my blood is BOILING. Sheesh. My maternal side is from Tortola BVI and my paternal side is from St. Kitts. Your content is truly helpful as I prepare to deep dive into my family history.

[@Trioptic3D]

I recently visited, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Beautiful places. I was on St. Thomas but look forward to visiting St. John and Croix. Thank you for the history.

[@robkunkel8833]

WOW🎉 I am amazed in how each video that you do is so much better than the last. I give a historic tour in St. Thomas and learned so much from you. Love the presentation and colorful tech delights. You master the camera! Will be watchin’ .

[@katyjudd1061]

Thanks for taking the time to research this. As you said, the Virgin Islands have a fascinating and complex history!

[@islandancestors2381]

Thank you so much for watching! I provided a list of sources and links in the video description if you’d like to read more. 😊

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@islandancestors2381 I know today that we were lied to about history in the US and Caribbean. Don't believe Columbus came to the Islands. He instead went East I know that North Africans that look like Columbus enslaved the locals back then. Canadians did early on I know people always lie to the masses.

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@@islandancestors2381there was no airplanes until the late 1800s I know that North Africans came to Hispanoila and Portuguese, and Greeks. The British didn't because of the distance we never ask ourselves how did they really travel most likely a large boat. The weather in North Africa is similar to the Caribbean

[@junebugjuniper9335]

Would be nice for this to be played to the primary students in the BVI, for culture week.

[@islandancestors2381]

That's a great idea! There was far more happening in the islands than we imagine. There is a link in the description to a DNA study that shows that indigenous Taino ancestry remains visible in modern day people in the northern Caribbean.

[@Jokyl989]

I’m loving your content! I’m always learning more facets of the history of the West Indies as I do my genealogical research, but wow, this was so concise and cohesive in a relatively short video. Love it!

[@Imhotep340]

Rock City born and raise. BLESS UP

[@thereesse]

Thank you for this. Norway was a part of Denmark during those times so all Norwegians know that Norwegian sailors were part of the slave trade. It’s part of our school curriculum.

[@Xamry]

US schools make it sound Scandinavia never did any of that 😭 Only the French, Dutch, and English are ever mentioned

[@ggf_andyfox1946]

@@Xamry its not comparable, be pissed off by the Arabs instead

[@MichaelKaa-dx2hj]

There were also norwegian plantation owners

[@badflwrr]

So happy to have found your channel!

[@donnabrown2766]

Excellent, concise history. Thank you!

[@thenubianspeaks4329]

Wow, there is so much that the educational system in the U.S ommits. thanks

[@alonhansen3613]

Of course, whoever wins the occupation gets to rewrite history to their will.

[@kathleenchristopher3739]

Thanks for sharing this important information. I am from the BVI and very much interested in our unique history.

[@islandancestors2381]

I am very happy to hear that you got something out of this video. I wish that all Virgin Islanders get to know our remarkable story of survival against the odds.

[@collinswartwood9279]

Thank you for the great video. I am moving to the USVI in October and this video really helped me understand the history of the islands.

[@joanbennett7224]

Excellent presentation and done in a style that keeps the readers interest. I have lived in St Thomas for the past 55 years and this is such a wonderful presentation that is digestable and interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@tayoosiyemi5130]

Love your channel!🤎

[@dougfitch3649]

So interesting! Thank you! I live in HI and there is some fascinating and parallel history too. So much of the major changes all occurred here within the last 200 years.

[@genghiskhan7703]

So informative thanks!

[@iletz-lowetradeequities2020]

Thank you! I’m from St.Croix of the family Petersen, Iletz & Lowe. I did have family tree to the 1600’s but lost information along with family crest gifted by Danish family during 1980’s. I’d love to get family tree sorted as family seems numberless as stars in the Caribbean night sky. Lovey and concise rendering of information. New follower of your channel. Gratitude

[@michellemalone5602]

Dex, great job!

[@islandancestors2381]

Thank you!!!! Subscribe for more 🤓

[@dbat480]

This is fantastic. I am going to be working for the Park Service in Christiansted and so I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the USVI. Thank you for such an indepth video.

[@fernonyoutube]

Thank you for sharing this information! ❤

[@hanacatlett]

I absolutely loved this. It was so informative and you’re so funny!

[@bweaver760]

Thank you for a great history lesson about the Virgin Islands! I love St. John’s USVI!!! We Love the Caribbean islands!

[@penn75]

Very enlightening! Your videos are great!

[@islandancestors2381]

I’m so pleased you enjoyed them! I hope it inspires you to research too! No one can tell our story better than we can!

[@carmenvega1073]

Gracias por la información amigo, bendiciones,paz y bienestar para nuestras islas💐😎😘👍🏼

[@JDTheLegend]

Thank you for sharing! I’ve always wanted to know where my ancestry comes from

[@DMAC143]

Very enlightening! Thanks for sharing! I have a friend that could help with the translation if you are still looking.

[@islandancestors2381]

Yes please!!!!

[@Yellowmanization]

The another crazy thing is there's absolutely zero to none caribbean people or caribbean styled restaurants in denmark at all. Even I met one girl in a event in Copenhagen. I asked her" have you tried caribbean food? ". She had no idea what it is was. Just thought I'd give some insight on it. Much love for the video brother ❤️🙌🏾

[@TillicumTom]

I really enjoyed the video. I have been researching the Hetherington name for many years and I am aware of President Hetherington. Have you done any videos that mention him?

[@CruzanRastamon]

My family did our history many years ago which wasn’t hard because my family kept a lot of history being that we are one of the oldest families to come out of St. Criox. (1700’s). My great grandfather was born on Viecas island in the 1870’s and he was the son of a Hispanic woman and a danish man. He married a woman (great grandmother) whose family went back generations as well. My grandfather used to to tell me that even though the US brought the islands in 1917 it wasn’t until after WW2 did he become US citizens (1948). Oddly enough the first borns in our family going back 150 yrs have the same name. It’s slightly different if you were born from a woman than to a man. I was the only one that named my son the name the woman would give t their first born male. It alot of confusion during family reunions because a few of us have the same unique name. I was the last of my immediate family to be born in the USVI. Sadly we do t get any love as Virgin Islanders amongst the West Indians because we are still considered Americans.

[@cruciancruzangirl05]

No mention when Columbus "discovered" the Virgin Islands, that he landed(the first documented landing)-on St. Croix in 1493 or the slave revolts and the negotiations of the sale that also involved the people of VI like David Hamilton Jackson.

[@Natiyanne1]

Awesome! I loved the video! New subbie here!

[@islandancestors2381]

Thank you so much for subscribing! I’ve got a number of other videos that you may also love! ☺️

[@smithcreativecolors4505]

Very well done.

[@brigitkarlsen4294]

Man you did a good job! Bravo

[@CarolGasses]

Super helpful! Thanks

[@2380wiz]

Excellent, thank you!

[@yadali1381]

Earned yourself a sub!

[@jharrisfosho]

Love thisssssss ❤thank you

[@goodmoonfarm7270]

A Buccaneer is better understood as a maritime Cow Boy ,ie roughnecks who were dispatched to the baron Virgin islands to raise cattle to be ‘boucanned’ -(salted smoke dried) as a protein source for the richer plantation islands of St Kitts and Antigua. The technique of preserving meat was passed down from the Pre Columbian people. They built ‘Corrals’ or walled enclosures made from stacked coral from the shoreline to pen the cattle before slaughter.

[@rudolphfoy7299]

I really enjoyed the content..i don't recall being thought this in school back home..we were focused on US hostory and the colonies..It's not till I came to America and met up with Jamaicans, Kitticians and other Island that I got the forward..it's a shame

[@ChalanaBrown]

love the content

[@agunyulogunshango1388]

Nice Channel

[@alonhansen3613]

Can you go into some of the layers of subplots of the us naval rule and and the arguments of the constitution definitions and reasons for allowing for a governor in the newly formed USVI? I’m so very confused and would appreciate any direction to literature pointing to the early history of the USVI after purchase by the United States and their naval occupation. Thank you.

[@Silveira-Maria]

Hi! Marilyn Krigger provides some insight on that in her book "Race Relations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas a Centennial Retrospective."

[@christinaenrique3561]

My Father was from the Virgin Is. Born in 1909 Moved to the Brooklyn, New York was Boxer Carl G Christiansen trying to find Family

[@LOGGIBOS]

sadly "Christiansen" is a very common surname in Denmark, so it would be difficult to find specific family

[@radiant4682]

A fellow Virgin thanks you for this great information

[@heinrichwohlgemuth3863]

Dear Dexter, attached is a little HISTORY of ST CROIX excerpt: The history of the churches of St. Croix begins back in the 1730s when the Moravians (GERMAN HERRNHUTERS) came to St. Croix to convert the enslaved Africans of the island from the traditional African spiritual practices to the Moravian faith, and were successful. (They were the first) . The success of the Moravians (PIONEER GERMANS) encouraged missionaries of other faiths to follow suit, especially after the Royal Danish granted permission to practice religion freely in 1754. As a result, St. Croix, USVI is home to thirteen historic churches, many of which remain open to the public - some still offering regularly scheduled religious services. As with many Caribbean islands, Christianity is the predominant religion on St. Croix, although there are several other religious and spiritual practices to be found here including Rastafarian, Islam, and Judaism. However, Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Moravians (GERMAN HERRNHUT), Methodists, and Dutch Reformed were some of the earliest denominations of Christianity to establish historic houses of worship on St. Croix. In fact, Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church (German) and the Friedensthal Moravian Church (German) are the oldest congregations of their kind in the United States. FRIEDENSBERG (peace hill) and FRIEDENSTAL (peace valley) are all German names on the USVI St Croix. The Germans took a stand, against all odds, and abolished slavery by being ROLE MODELS (becoming slaves themselves). One can say many negative things about the German history during the last 300 years, however, 1730 till 1800 showed a great GERMAN compassion and not "bla-bla-bla" but real deeds concerning the abolition of slavery.

[@raller5048]

Hey man - Great video! I study history here in Denmark and you mentionned you could use someone who speaks danish to help with archives. Lmk if you are still interested in that, id be glad to help out!

[@islandancestors2381]

Thank you so much for the offer @Raller. I would be so grateful if you’re be able to help. Send me a direct message over at Instagram @islandancestors or email [e-mail].

[@miguelgeorgemorales6133]

NICE LOVE IT

[@fairymother1582]

Where can we find family history records , my family in us / British

[@sabrinamadison8769]

Very interesting

[@tinydancer867]

Very nice & very informative video! I myself have known this information all my life though, as I am a direct descendant of one of the very first families who settled on the Beautiful Island of Saba. In fact, we are Dutch, and the Island is still owned by my family to this day. Of course, we’ve divided the land up between many people in my family whom are direct descendants. I come from the Winfield family, and the Johnson’s of Saba, who were granted the Island to Settle and create civilization on Saba as far back as the early 1600’s when of course my Ancestors found Saba while On their Pirate Journeys. It’s great to see you make such an informative video of the Islands in general, and shall I suggest an Amazing Historian that’s written & documented much of Saba’s History? That would be my Cousin who is a Historian that lives on the Island to this day, and his name is Mr. Will Johnson, and you can find my families History & just the deep History in general about Saba by reading Mr. Will Johnsons Articles on “The Saba Islander”! He also runs the Saba Museum on the Island as well. I’m sure if you would like more information for you’re great videos, Will would be very happy to speak with you and answer any questions! Again, that’s Mr. Will Johnson of Saba, whom worries for “The Saba Islander”. And if I can answer any questions, I’ll do my best. I have tons of documents full of just Saba’s History, and the lifestyle’s of the Pirates, and everything in between! I also of course know much about my personal family history too. Hopefully one day you can make a video on Saba “The Unspoiled Queen”! I love your work again! Much Love from North Carolina!

[@rudolphfoy7299]

Thanks. I waz born in STX but my family The Fahie/Foy and Flemming i would like to get more info on the roots of them az well..

[@mshellyboo59]

My Great grandmother was a Fahie or Foy...Anita Fahie

[@rudolphfoy7299]

@mshellyboo59 Ooooh.. how ironic meeting you here..have U attended any of the family reunions..Fahie/Foy/Turnbull...

[@ivykakooza5346]

Where can I find the lyrics to the song queen Mary and the others sang as they burned the island down to free the slaves

[@ABtheButterfly]

so looking it up there were two referendums for Danish West Indies to be part of the US one in 1868 which had a 98.26% vote for yes and in 1916 with a 99.83% vote or yes Denmark must been really sucky for the vast majority to want not be part of Denmark anymore

[@Waris1976]

I am a Black American with roots in the Danish West Indies.

[@Blackisciple]

You mean the United States Virgin Islands 🇻🇮

[@Gov.exp.00017]

St. Eustachius 👀👀👀👀👀

[@user-yg3xd5th1p]

Gonna cry

[@shemdickson4445]

TO THIS AFRO’CARIBBEAN HISTORY BLOGGER [“ISLAND ANCESTORS”] WHAT “A VIRGIN ISLANDS’ MEMORIAL PRESERVATION” AND Y’ALL, “LATEST HISTORIANS, ‘WELCOME’ TO THIS ISLAND REGION!!”📲🏝️

[@vskverma]

man feel so bad for the indeginous virginians

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I believe that the American Virgin Islands where once the Danish Virgin Islands.Denmark only has two remote territories now; Greenland and the Faroe Islands both fairly arms length from Copenhagen.The British Virgin Islands seem to be the domain of plutocrat Sir Richard Branson.The USA bought the US Virgin Islands off Denmark and strangely enough Sir Donald Trump suggested buying Greenland off them too probably due to the huge reserves of iron ore but as a lot of it is under 2km of ice extraction in such an inhospitable place would be virtual impossible.A mini Antarctica really,mini being a relative term as Greenland is 4 times the size of the worlds next biggest island;New Guinea.

[@shenelle921]

I just want us to be independent island free from the U.S. chains

[@okwaleedpoetry]

Do you know anything about the Brodhurst family?

[@vaughn7162]

🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮

[@Blackisciple]

🇻🇬🇻🇮🇻🇬🇻🇮🇻🇬🇻🇮🇻🇬🇻🇮🇻🇬🇻🇮 U.S & U.K. Virgin Islands

[@ajiahryan7532]

🇻🇮🇻🇮

[@luisramos-i8m]

AWO

[@rose-mariejack4370]

Who is your president right now?

[@ForestFelvey]

Island Ancestors claims that the indigenous people were "exterminated". This may not be true, and he offers no evidence for this claim.

[@Hchris101]

Neeto

[@jahcumiizzblahk7022]

Now they coming to tell us about our islands,and who we are. These mfs

[@markfrank5937]

The arrogance in trading islands, thousands of miles away, that you've never seen with your own eyes!! How do you land somewhere, and assume ownership? Smh....Wow....

[@lilyofthevalley2248]

My roots go back 5 Generations, from Denmark my great great great grandmother Victoria was brought there as a slave, grandmother and mother also bahn in St Croix, I am a PROUD Virgin Islander with Queen Mary, Matilda, and Bottom Belly, Blyden and the rest of dem in my SOUL, and Spirit, my father however is a St Thomian whose father born in Barbados, and his mother from Anguilla. They tell me I am like Kallaloo, mix up good tho✅💯🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮🇻🇮STRONG. The USA purchased VI from Denmark in 1917 for strategic military reasons. We need REPARATIONS from Denmark✅💯😡😡😡And that is MY OPINION✅yes.

[@shenelle921]

We are NOT African hence why we don’t look alike we are Virgin Islanders our ancestors were always Virgin Islanders NOT African

[@markfrank5937]

The "moral" reason for continuing modern colonialism? 🤷

[@heinrichwohlgemuth3863]

Dear Mr. ... your video about the Virgin Islands is not bad, however, you missed a very vital issue. The Germans, yes the Germans (Herrnhuters) were the only ones who went to St Thomas without exploiting the Blacks. The Germans also did not possess there any island. Yes, they were missionaries, but they (the Herrnhuters) were the ONLY ones who became SLAVES themselves in order to SAVE some slaves. If you miss this part, you missed the most important part. The English did NOTHING to ease and to abolish this disgusting slavery. Even the Danish did nothing. Through Denmark, the Germans (Herrnhuters) were informed about slavery, and these Germans VOLUNTEERED to work as slaves with the slaves on the sugar plantation. You are from British Virgin Island but if you want to learn more about the American Virgin Islands with all the GERMAN names still existing in St Croix and St Thomas, then contact me and we can have an email-exchange. Maybe we can learn BOTH a lot from each other. By the way, Charlotte Amalie was a GERMAN princess who became spouse of the Danish king and she gave name to the now capital of USVI. The so-called "Moravians" were all GERMANS. There is a lot you are missing. Maybe you don't like Germans (Brits never liked us although they have GERMAN blood coming from German Hanover). Maybe nobody told you that German missionaries did a great job in the 18th centuries in the Caribbean. Fact is, during that time even the so-called British "Father of missions" (William Carey) was jealous of the German Herrnhuters. If you like to contact me, check me out on Facebook under my name HEINRICH WOHLGEMUTH. But, please, no ugliness or counter-productive issues, and send me a message. We can then exchange emails. THANKS.

[@lifted1785]

you are right this has been overlooked i will say

[@KAriedoll]

Your choice to use “the blacks” says a lot about how you view enslaved black people of this region (or black people in general). Please stop trying to romanticize the “white savior” rhetoric, and supposed enslavement of Germans in this region. You could never compare the treatment, classification and overall inhumanity of enslaved black people by interjecting supposed “white slaves or pretend German slaves coming to save the day”. The Germans or any religious white group still did not see black people as their equals in humanity, and Germans (Irish/Scots) were all still seen as humans- never slaves. There is so much to unpack, but your need to feel victimized with twisted truths bothered me too much to stay silent.

[@KAriedoll]

My comment was deleted, I don’t know if it’s ytube or the “Mr… “ as you referred to. I will use that to admit, that’s part of the reason why our Afr-can people were ensl-ved. We lack unity and would allow others to re-write history to suit their narratives of being “equal victims” and saviors of “the blks”.

[@heinrichwohlgemuth3863]

@@KAriedoll I, Heinrich Wohlgemuth, did NOT delete anything. I love the Virgin Islands, and I only added the missing part, which was the GERMAN part, because they were different than the others "slave missionaries". The Herrnhut Germans or Moravians did not gain anything, at least money-wise, like the Danish or later the English. The Germans had the True Gospel in mind and became SLAVES in order to reach the slaves.

[@KAriedoll]

@@heinrichwohlgemuth3863 I did not say you deleted anything, you don't have that power. It was either this platform due to trigger words or the owner of this channel. You of course decided to interject the whyyte r@ce in a conversation as saviors of ensl-a...ved blk people. Nothing you said about the Ger..ma..ns "being" sla...ves has any truth (for whatever reason you try to give). I am a born and raised US Virginislander, I can trace my ensla...ved ancestry several generations under the Danish West Indies. I know better. I know my history and that of my ancestors, they were African, Boriken Taino and Danish.

[@Xamry]

It would be cool if folks in both sets of the VIs had dual citizenship so you could just casually island-hop 🫠