Descendants of the crew on board the ship that laid the foundations of Bermuda’s settled history more than 400 years ago have called on the island to explore their roots.

The descendants of the crew of the Sea Venture are among 32 members of a group from the Jamestowne Society in Virginia in the US who arrived in Bermuda on Friday to retrace their forefathers’ steps on the island.

Bonnie Hofmeyer, the executive director of the society, said: “Our trip is really focusing on going in the footsteps of the Sea Venture crew.

“We’re going to the places where they came ashore and where they would have lived when they arrived here.

“We just wanted to walk through their footsteps — just to stand where they stood.”

Ms Hofmeyer, who said the trip was planned a year ago, noted that a group from the society previously visited the island in 2024.

“Our organisation focuses on the Jamestown colony, so we try to keep coming back to bring more of our members to learn about the history of Bermuda,” Ms Hofmeyer said.

“I’m going to come back again … I just love the beauty of the island and I appreciate so many of the people who live here who share their stories.”

Brantley Knowles, the governor-general of the society, said: “The Jamestowne Society is a hereditary lineage society based on descent from those who were at Jamestown between 1607 and 1699.

“The Sea Venture, which wrecked here in 1609, was on its way to Jamestown, and so there is a lot of history and relationship with Bermuda.

“I think we really feel our ancestors’ connection and what they went through.”

Susan Hopkins, a descendant of Stephen Hopkins, who mutinied against leaving Bermuda for Jamestown, then a British colony, said she last visited the island in 1984 for the 375th anniversary of the Sea Venture’s arrival.

It was the flagship of a fleet en route to the Virginia settlement when it got separated from the others in a storm, and shipwrecked off the East End.

Ms Hopkins said: “It was interesting then to see how the place was … I saw the Deliverance replica, from the Sea Venture, but of course it is not there any more.

“A lot has changed in Bermuda since then.”

Anne Henninger, another descendant of Mr Hopkins, said she was happy to be on ancestral ground.

Nancy Hill, the past governor-general of the society, said the trip marked her first visit to the island.

Ms Hill said: “It’s all been so wonderful. I’ve been impressed by how friendly everyone is and approachable.

“It’s been very interesting for us and I’m sure there will be more highlights along the way on the trip.”

The group was treated to a reception on Friday night at the Grotto Bay Resort and Spa, attended by several officials, including Quinell Francis, the Mayor of St George, and Antoinette Hurtado, the US Consul-General.

The visitors toured parts of St George’s on Saturday and stopped at St Peter’s Church, Fort St Catherine and Tobacco Bay.

They will complete tours of St David’s, Hamilton and Dockyard this week.

The visitors said they will “sadly” miss the visit of King Charles III, whose arrival on the island is scheduled for the day they depart.