Our ancestors purchased many of their properties at auctions! They bought Cane Garden Bay, Carrot Bay, a portion of Peter Island and Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands, as well as properties in the Danish West Indies. One particular purchase our forefather loved was the Marine Railway on Hassel Island. He was proud to be the only bidder for the nine acre parcel. Photographs […]
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Sad Sea Catastrophe: The Loss of the British Sloop, SYRIA ~ 1912
The history of the Creque family is filled with intrigue and adventure! However, it also has its fair share of calamities. Six branches of the family have been involved in terrible sea catastrophes! Six Sea Catastrophes In 1902, J. Creque, a fireman aboard the cable ship Grappler, lost his life after Mount Pelee in Martinique erupted. In 1941, a relative of a […]
Rare Photograph of the EAGLE at the Railway ~ 1920s
Oct 21, 1930, V.I. Daily News Ever wonder what the inter-island sloops were transporting below in their holds? Some may think it contraband and many times it was, but mostly it was passengers, cases of fruit, home grown vegetables and cattle. During the early 1900s, a popular little sloop called the Eagle was making the […]
How a Welterweight Champion Won His Title ~ 1932
During the 1930s, supporting the welterweight champion was big entertainment in the US Virgin Islands. While researching an old family photo of a boxer I believe to be El Matahombre, I found over forty articles about the sport. El Matahombre’s real name was Carlos Christian. He was known as the Man Killer. Originally from Puerto Rico and trained by the great Esau Stephens, he moved to […]
Douglas Fairbanks Sr and Lady Ashley Attract the Crowds! ~ 1935
Would you believe this photograph was only an inch wide by an inch and a half in height? 👀 I found several of these miniature photos in our family’s photo album and couldn’t imagine who they might be. Our ancestors documented many events in the history of the Virgin Islands, so I knew, with a little digging, […]
Rare Swallow Stick Found at Magens Bay! ~ 1917
In 1917, Captain Theodore De Booy made an incredible discovery in the US Virgin Islands. Discovery of Rare Swallow Stick While excavating at a site at Magens Bay on St. Thomas, he uncovered a rare Swallow Stick. It was thought to be used by West Indian priests in worship ceremonies. The find was estimated to be about 500 to 800 years […]
The Inauguration of the FIRST Civilian Governor ~ 1931
Photo: G.T. Small On March 18, 1931, anticipation grew to new heights as a record crowd of 7,000 residents gathered at the Emancipation Park! They came together to witness the inauguration of the first Civilian Governor of the US Virgin Islands, Dr. Paul M. Pearson. Our great-grandmother and her family brought their parasols and joined the crowds for this historic moment.☂ A […]
A Few Lucky Residents Tour a One of a Kind Wonder Before She Sunk ~ 1914
Many generations of our family have loved touring the vessels that anchored off St Thomas. ⚓ Watching movies on the Carla C, climbing through the USS Nimitz, posing with the Cadets on the Horst Wessel or touring the Danish ship, Danmark were highlights for all! When the great, new motorship Malakka arrived in St. Thomas on October 16, 1914, there’s no doubt that family members […]