Virgin Islands US, Census Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

U.S. Virgin Islands

What is in This Collection?
The United States Virgin Islands were part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1672 to 1917 when they were sold to the United States. These census records were created during the time period when the islands were a Danish colony known as Danish West Indies (Dansk Vestindien). Some of these records have been indexed and are searchable as part of this collection.

Census were made in 1835, 1841, 1846, 1850, 1855, 1857, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1901, and 1911. The 1835, 1841, and 1846 censuses contained separate schedules of the free and enslaved population (euphemistically identified as unfree). Slavery in the West Indies ended on 3 July 1848 and was officially confirmed by the Danish parliament on 22 September of the same year.

Not all records are extant. For example, after the 1835 census was completed and statistical data extracted the records were destroyed without being forwarded to Denmark. Significant parts of the 1890 census are also missing. The following table shows which records are available. The 1846 and 1846 censuses included separate schedules for enslaved persons.

Reading These Records
The forms and most of the records are written in English. Some records may be written in Danish. For help reading these records see:
 * Denmark Handwriting
 * Danish Genealogical Word List
 * Denmark Language and Languages

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Residence, either in the city or rural
 * Census year

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname or given name only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the United States Virgin Islands.
 * Record Finder

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Census records, 1841-1911

FamilySearch Historical Records
• 2

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.