Early in 17^th century France, two sons of Crétian Du Bois, Louis and Jacques, migrated to New York. Five generations from Jacques, Alexander's father James was born around 1750.

James Du Bois became a physician in Poughkeepsee, New York. There were various members of the Du Bois family who were British loyalist during the Revolutionary War. And at the end of the war, Lord Dunmore granted them land in the Bahamas.

James Du Bois was one of them and owned a plantation there. He either married a free colored woman or took on a slave concubine. From them my grandfather and his brother John were born. Both of them were white enough to "pass" and eventually John did.