Robson Family Genealogy

One of the most valuable resources to a Virgin Islands researcher is the labor of love by Svend Holsoe: the Virgin Islands Families website (www.vifamilies.org).  Dr. Holsoe is compiling genealogies of the families of the islands, from their first appearance until they leave.  I have found great help on several of my island surnames, but one surname, Robson, was missing.  The first Robson, Joseph, is my 3rd great grandfather. 

The name was missing, that is, until last month.  So far he’s documented the Robson information from the 1846 census of Estate Fountain.  Since the Robsons are my direct ancestors, I’ve done a fair bit of research on them and I figured I’d compile my research, in his format, and contribute my work to his page.  Well, compiling (and footnoting) is even harder than researching! Once I was done, I thought I’d post it here as well.

Solving a Puzzle–Who is M. M. Colbiørnsen?

Sometimes in genealogy we work long and hard to find someone we’re looking for.  These are often called “brick walls”.  People who we just can’t seem to locate.  Other times we have the inverse problem.  Seeing a person and having no idea who they are.  Well, when you find out who they are (or even if you think you have) it’s just as exhilarating as breaking through a brick wall.  I managed to solve just such a puzzle in my own family that dates back to my very beginnings last summer.  My mystery woman was named Mary Colbiørnsen.