an introduction to documents of early 19 th century danish west indies: the nara m1883 microfilm...

An Introduction to Documents of Early 19th

Century Danish West Indies:

The NARA M1883 Microfilm Publication

with a focus on St. ThomasU.S. Virgin Islands

A Brief HistoryA Brief HistoryDanish West Indies from 1672 -

1917Danish Archives removed records

of the Virgin Islands back to Denmark

NARA received copies of records from Danish Archives, originals in Maryland – Record Group 55

http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/055.html

NARA Record Group 55 andNARA Record Group 55 andarchivist Vernon Paul Roodarchivist Vernon Paul Rood

NARA Record Group 55NARA Record Group 55

The M1883 SelectionThe M1883 SelectionEleven rolls of films in the

publicationMixture of records were filmed for

the M1883 collection related to slavery and emancipation.

The M1884 collection is more extensive

CGL has 2 copies of each film roll for both publications

The Finding AidThe Finding AidNARA archivist Vernon Rood,

authorFinding aid available online and at

CGLIndexed by roll number & frame

number

Frame numbers Frame numbers

Sample Documents from the Sample Documents from the M1883 publicationM1883 publication

St. Thomas focusGenealogical interestRecord locators identified

Roll 1Roll 1

Roll 1 (continued)Roll 1 (continued)

Manumission documentsManumission documentsPrimarily St. Croix documentsSimilar wording in each documentInteresting family history can be

foundIndex to names available within the

record

Index to documents – Roll 1, Index to documents – Roll 1, Frame 540Frame 540

St. Croix

Know all men by these presents that I , Elizabeth von Beverhoudt, Free Coloured woman of this Island, for and in consideration of the Sum of Twenty Iois(?) paid to me by the Negro Man Leata (Father of my Negro Girl Kitty) belonging to William Newton Roq(?), I do hereby manumit, enfranchise and set free from all kinds of Slavery, the said Negro Girl Kitty, the daughter of My Slave Mary purchased by me from Cornelius Hendericks…as of Bill of Sale bearing date the 4th September 1786. And I the said Elizabeth Von Beverhoudt, for myself, my Executors, Administrators and Assigns, do hereby warrant and defend the Manumission and freedom of the aforesaid negro Girl Kitty, from the claims or Claims of any person or persons whomsoever. In witness whereof…my hand and Seal this nineteeth Day of May, One thousand Eighteen hundred and … Her

- Elizabeth Von Beferhoudt

St. Croix 11 April 1822

Know all men by these presents that I the underwritten, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred pieces of right cash to me in hand … the receipt thereof. I do hereby acknowledge, as also from the many good services, and faithful attention on me from my “youth up”, have this day granted a full Manumission, and release from all slavery, whatsoever, unto my Negro woman named Betsey, and for her future … forever, warranting and defending the … from all claims for myself, my heirs, executors and assigns unto her and her heirs and offspring for ever as … my hand and seal as above.

- Charles Daly

More about people More about people mentioned in these mentioned in these examples:examples:http://www.sandcastlevi.com/facebook%20-

%20the%20van%20beverhoudt%20family%20-%20part%201.pdf

http://www.sandcastlevi.com/facebook%20-%20the%20van%20beverhoudt%20family%20-%20part%201.pdf

http://www.candoo.com/surnames/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2647&p=3895

http://www.vifamilies.org/images/Hendrichsen.doc

Roll 2- Records of Roll 2- Records of GovernorGovernor

Roll 2, Frame 120Roll 2, Frame 120

To His Excellency the Governor General; May it Please your Excellency,

In humble compliance with your Excellency’s request I now state what happened on the 7th December at the United Brothers Station. Friedensfeld, whilst Revd Garding had a meeting with the Teachers. Lieutenant Holstein made his appearance;, and demanded a young man whom the missionaries had employed. This young man is married to a woman named Welhelmena who was born in town… December 1848

Roll 2Roll 2

Roll 2, Frame 216 - STXRoll 2, Frame 216 - STX

Roll 2Roll 2

Roll 2, ~Frame 455Roll 2, ~Frame 455

Roll 2, ~Frame 465 Roll 2, ~Frame 465

Roll 3 – continues St. Croix Roll 3 – continues St. Croix Census from Roll 2Census from Roll 2

Roll 4 – St. ThomasRoll 4 – St. ThomasRegister of Free Blacks - 1803Register of Free Blacks - 1803

Crossroads of the Crossroads of the DiasporaDiasporaDavid Knight, Little Nordside Press

Roll 4, ~Frame 21 Roll 4, ~Frame 21 (see page 41 of Knight) (see page 41 of Knight)

Roll 4 – Register of Free Roll 4 – Register of Free BlacksBlacks

Roll 4, ~Frame 114Roll 4, ~Frame 114

Roll 4, ~Frame 270 Roll 4, ~Frame 270 translated translated

Roll 5 Roll 5

Roll 5, ~Frame 318 – STTRoll 5, ~Frame 318 – STT

Roll 5, ~Frame 388 - STJRoll 5, ~Frame 388 - STJ

Roll 5, ~Frame 388 - STJ Roll 5, ~Frame 388 - STJ

Roll 6 & 7 Roll 6 & 7

Roll 11 Roll 11

Useful Links to be posted on Useful Links to be posted on CGL website:CGL website:

www.rootsweb.com/~vicglwww.rootsweb.com/~vicgl