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March 23, 2004
Forums on compilation of Danish, V.I. archives begin Tuesday
Virgin Islanders and international researchers interested in the territory's history from the Danish colonial period through modern times can learn more about efforts to bring a comprehensive collection of archives here during public forums beginning Tuesday.
The U.S. Virgin Islands-Denmark Bilateral Archival Commission, a group of historians and archivists from the territory, Denmark and the United States, was formed on Oct. 27, 1999.
Headed by the Danish National Archives and the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the commission's task is to survey and create inventories of their collection "with a view to supporting cultural, historical and genealogical activities," according to a proclamation signed by Gov. Charles Turnbull.
The inventory so far includes 11 reels of microfilm dealing with slavery and emancipation dating from 1672 to 1917 from the U.S. National Archives and a finder's guide that lists sources of Danish West Indies history from 1671 to 1917.
In addition to reporting on the status of the archival project, public discussions are being organized in response to debates and disputes over colonial land records, estate boundaries, wills and probates.
The first public forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Legislature building on St. John. The second forum will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Government House on St. Thomas.
According to Myron Jackson, director of the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office, information still is being recorded from the mainland and the territory.
This includes several documents that were sent to Denmark and to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., when the territory switched hands, as well as historical files at several libraries of the territory's church records, land records and baptismal records.
Hopes are that documents and archives from several depositories eventually will be repatriated to the territory, Jackson said.
The Danish government appropriated $200,000 for the project, and DPNR was tasked with executing the project using its own funds and resources. Jackson said equipment has cost DPNR more than $100,000.
"It's important for many people to understand their historical past," Jackson said. "The Danes were very meticulous in record-keeping, but not many countries, not many nations have that information available that can assist them."
A proclamation declaring March as Virgin Islands-Denmark Friendship Month, signed by Turnbull, recognized this year's 87th anniversary of the transfer and the territory's historical ties to Denmark and ancestral ties to West Africa through the slave trade.
"The longstanding relationship between the kingdom of Denmark and the former Danish West Indies serves as a foundation for a new and exciting partnership between Denmark and the U.S. Virgin Islands," the proclamation states.
For more information, call 776-8605 or 773-1082.
Posted by afinta at March 23, 2004 11:00 AM
Comments
I think this one on the use of Danish land records to settle modern day land disputes is particularly important......tho, the whole apes example I thought was pretty weak....
Posted by: Eric on St John at March 24, 2004 12:54 AM
this link to the danish archives of the VI from the above article turns out to be the hightlight!
& Mr Sprauve is completely correct about the safekeeping of our land records, tho, I have doubts about the characterization of him "complaining" that our school children are not being taught danish so they can read about their history? He seems too reasonable a man.....
Posted by: Eric on St John at March 24, 2004 01:01 AM
ummm, so click on my handle on the above posts for the links to the sites I mentioned...
Posted by: Eric on St John at March 24, 2004 01:04 AM
Hey - good catch. I put some new links on the right hand column for some more stuff I found - check it out.
Posted by: Anthony at April 2, 2004 02:39 PM
