USVI: Who knew the Danes had put a foot in the Caribbean?

Now you know.

Virgin Islanders and international researchers interested in the territory's history from the Danish colonial period through modern times can learn more about efforts to bring a comprehensive collection of archives here during public forums beginning Tuesday.

The U.S. Virgin Islands-Denmark Bilateral Archival Commission, a group of historians and archivists from the territory, Denmark and the United States, was formed on Oct. 27, 1999.

Headed by the Danish National Archives and the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the commission's task is to survey and create inventories of their collection "with a view to supporting cultural, historical and genealogical activities," according to a proclamation signed by Gov. Charles Turnbull.

The inventory so far includes 11 reels of microfilm dealing with slavery and emancipation dating from 1672 to 1917 from the U.S. National Archives and a finder's guide that lists sources of Danish West Indies history from 1671 to 1917.

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