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Hello,
Iwas hoping for some help in planning my day on St Thomas durring my cruise in a couple of weeks. My mother's maiden name is Titte VonScholten, and her brother holds the VonScholten family crest and coat of arms, signed by a past king of Denmark. I was looking to see some of my family history when I stopped on the island on August 24 with the Carnival ship, Glory. What would you suggest to be the best way to see some of the Virgin Island history as it pertains to my family. I tried to get an e-mail to the US parks office on St Thomas, but I got no response.
Thanks!
Steve Gengo
One place to start might be with the St. Thomas Historical Trust. Their phone number is (340) 774-5541, or you can reach them via email at: [email protected]. You can visit their webpage @ http://www.stthomashistoricaltrust.org/
You may also want to contact the STT/STJ Friends of Denmark Society, Inc. I don't have a number for them though...........
SInce I serve on the board of both organizations, let me see what I can find out. Trouble is Von Scholten lived in St Croix.
We (Historical Trust) do have a historical walking tour you can take on your own. It starts at Ft Christian. I am sure your ship will be offering one that goes to Blackbeard's and some oher historical sites that belong to the same company. Have to investigate where I can find some more info on your wife's ancestor.
Ronnie
Crown House on Government Hill in St. Thomas was reportedly built for and inhabited by Peter von Scholten when he was the harbor master for St. Thomas (prior to his becoming governor of the V.I.). However the house is now a private residence so I imagine it can only be viewed from the outside.
There's also the St. Croix Friends of Denmark Society.........one of the Tuteins should know the info.
Would the Laewetz Museum on St. Croix have any information?
There is also a von Scholten collection at the Enid Baa Library on St. Thomas.
Here you go..............call Pam Nielsen at (340) 692-5303. I believe she's w/SCFDS.
You may also get in touch with the Danish West Indian Society:
http://www.dwis.dk/3_1_default.htm (English)
http://www.dwis.dk/ (Danish)
Good luck!