V.I. Students Rooted in Discovery With Genealogy Tools

Virgin Islanders will soon have better tools to trace their ancestral roots as the Education Department partners with The Brue Family Learning Center to give all the territory’s schools free access to the American Ancestors platform.

The program that launches Jan. 22 offers educators a platform that brings history, heritage, and identity to life through genealogy research, according to a release from Education’s Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education. The launch coincides with Black History Month in February and Virgin Islands History Month in March. Education officials said it was an opportunity for teachers to guide students on a journey of self-discovery and cultural pride. “Through this platform, educators can access a curriculum that helps youth trace their family stories and understand their heritage, dive into historical records like census documents, immigration files, and vital records, and use interactive tools and multimedia to make history engaging and personal,” the statement said.

Here’s how it works:

Connect to Your School Network: To access the platform, make sure you are connected to your school’s secure internet. Access is tied to each school’s network.
Visit the American Ancestors Website: Open your browser and go to www.americanancestors.org.
Automatic Login: The system will recognize your school’s network and grant access automatically. You’ll see a banner confirming your access.