Jews have lived on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands, since the 17th century.
This page explores the timeline of Jewish settlement, key historical figures, and resources for genealogical research.
Historic Timeline for Jews in St Thomas and the Danish West Indies
- 1655: Jews were allowed to settle in Danish colonies, including the Danish West Indies (now U.S. Virgin Islands).
- 1684: Gabriel Milan reportedly appointed governor of St. Thomas.
- 1796: The first Jewish family, the Monsantos, arrived in St. Thomas.
- 1803: The Jewish community in St. Thomas was officially established.
- 1804: The first synagogue, Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasadim (Blessing and Peace and Acts of Piety), was built in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
- 1830s-1850s: Period of growth for the Jewish community in St. Thomas, as it became an important trading center.
- 1831: A Jewish cemetery was established in St. Thomas.
- 1867: A devastating hurricane and tsunami hit St. Thomas, damaging the synagogue and affecting the Jewish community.
- 1917: The United States purchased the Danish West Indies, including St. Thomas, from Denmark for $25 million.
Notable Jewish Figures in the Danish West Indies
Gabriel Milan
- Reportedly appointed governor of St. Thomas by King Christian V of Denmark in 1684
- Served for two years
- Background: International soldier of fortune with family connections in Portugal, Flanders, and Hamburg
- Related to the da Costa and de Castro families
- Also known as Don Franco de Tebary Cordova (possibly Francisco Teixeira Cordoba)
Moses Joshua Henriques
- Played a role in negotiations between the Danish West India Company and the Prussian Brandenburg Company
- Involved in promoting the slave trade between Guinea and St. Thomas
Jewish Communities on St. Croix and St. John
Jews of St. Croix
- Larger community compared to St. Thomas in the mid-18th century
- Peak around 1764 with the construction of a synagogue in Christiansted and acquisition of a Torah scroll
- Synagogue burned down in 1766 and was never rebuilt
- Community declined, becoming a satellite of the St. Thomas Hebrew Congregation
Jews of St. John
- Sparse Jewish representation
- Only two unconfirmed Jewish names on the taxpayers’ list
Genealogical Resources for Danish West Indies Research
Danish National Archives
- The Danish National Archives, also known as the Rigsarkivet, contains over 1,500 meters of archival material relating to the Danish West Indies (1671-1917). Categories: West Indian Local Archives, Revised West India Accounts, Other West Indian records
- A number of Wills of people resident on other islands, notably Curacao, were registered in the Danish West Indies. These records (Kilder til historien om den danske koloni i Vestindien) are held in the Danish National Archives.
Recommended Reading for Jews in St Thomas
- “A Guide to Sources for the History of the Danish West Indies (U.S. Virgin Islands), 1671-1917” by Erik Goebel
- H.C. Terslin has written a Danish-language biography of Gabriel Milan who apparently identified himself in correspondence as Don Franco de Tebary Cordova (could that be Francisco Teixeira Cordoba?)
- “Through the Sands of Time: A History of the Jewish Community of St. Thomas” by Judah M. Cohen
- Guide to U.S. Virgin Islands Records at the National Archives at New York City
Additional Resources
- Wills registered in the Danish West Indies from residents of other islands (e.g., Curacao)
- Danish State Archives for connections with places like Altona or Hamburg
Research Tips for Jews in St Thomas
- Look for Spanish and Portuguese names among shareholders of the Danish West India and Guinea Company (Vestindisk-guineisk Kompagni)
- Explore connections between the Danish West Indies and other Caribbean islands
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