We had representatives of St Croix and St Thomas family groups at a meeting on Tortola last night to exchange information and assess interest in launching a (British) Virgin Islands Genealogical Society. As so many of our ancestors migrated to the USVI. the lady from St Thomas was particularly keen to acquire information on any accessible BVI census, registry and church records. I learnt from her that the Family History Library in Charlotte Amalie had moved to more spacious accommodation some time ago. The BVI government has not permitted the Mormons to microfilm our records, but the BVI National Archives, also much better housed than previously, has already acquired a range of microfilms, including slave records, and an Archivist was recently appointed to manage them. I recently joined him and the Chief Records Management Officer (my wife) on a fact-finding tour of the impressively-sited National Archives in Antigua, which incidentally holds (British) Virgin Islands records dating back to the time that we were governed from there. I was very conscious of Chris's recent appeal for help there, but we did not even have time to do any of our own research as Antigua's government buildings close early on Fridays. I did sound out the Director on Chris's concerns, but we could see how over-stretched her staff were. Recently-received government records were in a deplorable state. However, the Director told us that they usually send churches microfilms of registers they have deposited with her. I do hold a set of the Concise DNB (Dictionary of National Biography), updated to 1985 from the original edition published in England in 1903. It contains, for example, brief biographies of six Codringtons, although Chris probably already has much the same information on all those that interest him: Christopher (1668-1710), Sir Edward (1770-1851), Sir Henry John (1808-1877), Robert (d. 1665), Thomas (d. 1691?) and Sir William John (1804-1884) Peter Moll Tortola BVI (Researching my wife's Penns) -------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: Codrington Family: Notice to Researchers Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:55:47 -0700 From: Ann Q <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] To: <[email protected]> Chris, I have a brief listing in the "List of Inhabitants...." Coddington, Francis, Christiansted 11/29/1776. (Royal) The Royal was a newspaper in the VI at the time. Don't know if it is relevant, but FYI. Ann "Sharing the information."Researching the USVI, St.Eustatius, St. Barths, Barbados> From: [email protected]> To: [email protected]> Subject: FW: Codrington Family: Notice to Researchers> Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 11:07:44 -0400> > List, I post this for the record in hopes it will be picked up by people> researching in depth on this topic -----Original Message-----> > > Greetings to the Antigua and Barbuda Museum and Historical Society; Just a note of appreciation for the wonderful work on the web-site. I hope it has generated interest and participation on all levels I wondered if you might know of anyone who has been working on the Cod Mss at the Archives or has occasion to study there on any kind of regular basis. I am currently summarizing my research on the Codringtons and without the resources to travel was hoping I might find someone who shares an interest in these things to compare notes and perhaps do some research. At this point some of the information is very basic such as what material survives from the period 1698-1750. I know it is sparse. Below is a list of points I am looking at and I include them on the off chance someone may have an insight or suggestion for further study or a contact who may be of help...... Kind Regards Chris Codrington Boynton Beach, Fl USA