The 1st half of the 18th century saw an influx of Germans, Swedes, Scots and Scots-Irish into the colonies, especially the South and the western frontier.
1700 -1725: The Quakers continue to settle in the Middle Colonies.
1707 - German immigrants settle in the Palatine region of New York.
1709: Germans and Swiss settle in the Carolinas.
1715 -1750: The Piedmont is settled by Germans, Swiss and Scots-Irish.
1715 - 1775: Scots, Scots-Irish and Northern English move into the colonies, mainly in the South. Major immigration in 1737, 1740 and 1770.]*
1727: Germans and Scots-Irish migrate from Maryland and Pennsylvania to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and the Carolinas.
1729: French establish settlements in the Ohio River Valley.
1730- 1740: Groups of Quakers remove from Pennsylvania to Maryland and into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.*
1732: Scots-Irish move from western Pennsylvania into Virginia and the Carolinas.
1733: Group of Jews settle near Savannah in Georgia.
1740: Influx of Irish into the Southern colonies.
1750: First venture into the Kentucky country.
1751: Scots-Irish settle along the Tennessee River.
1755 - 1763: French and Indian War.
1763: Settlers start to move into the regions west of the Allegheny Mountains.*
*Most of my Quaker ancestors settled in Virginia during the late 1730s. A handful of families, probably from northern England, also settled in parts of Virginia. A few families migrated into western Virginia before 1755.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Coming to America: 1642 - 1700
The colonies continued to grow during the latter half of the 17th century with new groups being represented.
1640 - 1675: Heavy import of indentured servants to [primarily] the South continues. The slave trade continues as well.*
1650 - 1664: Protestants from The Netherlands, Northern France, Wallonia and Flanders [Belgium], fleeing from Catholic rule in the Low Countries, establish settlements around New Amsterdam, on Staten Island and in the Hudson River Valley.*
1664: British take control of New Netherland and former Swedish territory from the Dutch, renaming the colony and it's capital, New York and New York City. Dutch regain control, but permanently lose the colony in 1763.*
1667 - 1681: Quakers from England settle in West Jersey.*
1682: William Penn established the colony of Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers.*
1682 - 1700: Quaker immigration continues from British Isles.*
1683: Germans and Dutch settle in Germantown area near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.*
1680s -1700: Immigration from British Isles continues.*
*During this period many of my Huguenot and Dutch Reformed ancestors settled in New Netherland/New York. My Welsh Quakers arrived late in the century. A few families arrive from the Ulster province of Northern Ireland. Ancestral families in the colonies at about 80%, maybe higher!
1640 - 1675: Heavy import of indentured servants to [primarily] the South continues. The slave trade continues as well.*
1650 - 1664: Protestants from The Netherlands, Northern France, Wallonia and Flanders [Belgium], fleeing from Catholic rule in the Low Countries, establish settlements around New Amsterdam, on Staten Island and in the Hudson River Valley.*
1664: British take control of New Netherland and former Swedish territory from the Dutch, renaming the colony and it's capital, New York and New York City. Dutch regain control, but permanently lose the colony in 1763.*
1667 - 1681: Quakers from England settle in West Jersey.*
1682: William Penn established the colony of Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers.*
1682 - 1700: Quaker immigration continues from British Isles.*
1683: Germans and Dutch settle in Germantown area near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.*
1680s -1700: Immigration from British Isles continues.*
*During this period many of my Huguenot and Dutch Reformed ancestors settled in New Netherland/New York. My Welsh Quakers arrived late in the century. A few families arrive from the Ulster province of Northern Ireland. Ancestral families in the colonies at about 80%, maybe higher!
Friday, August 12, 2016
Coming to America: 1607 - 1642
Following my TV viewing promotion from yesterday, regular programming continues:
There were a few failed attempts to settle the eastern seaboard of North America prior to 1600. The Spanish were entrenched in southwestern North America, Mexico and Central and South America.
1607: English establish the Jamestown settlement in Virginia.
1613: The Dutch establish a trading post on Manhattan Island, opening the door to the establishment of the New Netherland Colony.
1619: Indentured servants are imported to Virginia, including about 40 West Africans. These Africans, like their primarily English counterparts work off their indentures. Some of these Africans become slave owners.
1620: The Mayflower arrives in Plymouth Harbor. Pilgrim refugees establish the Plymouth Colony.*
1621 - 1629: A scattering of English settlers arrive in Plymouth and Virginia.*
1620s -1664: The Dutch colony of New Netherland, with it's capital of New Amsterdam is established. Protestant Dutch, Walloon, Flemish and Huguenot refugees from the Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France flood into the colony to escape Catholic rule.*
1623: Settlements are established in what would become New Hampshire and Maine.
1630: The Winthrop Fleet arrives in Massachusetts; the Puritan settlers establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the city of Boston, kicking off the Great Migration that lasts until 1642.*
1634: Maryland is colonized by English Catholics.
1635: Connecticut established by settlers opposed to Puritan government in Massachusetts Bay.*
1636: Rhode Island established by Roger Williams and his followers in opposition to Puritan government in Massachusetts Bay.*
1638: Swedes establish a colony in the Delaware River Valley and christen it New Sweden.
1640 - 42: Beginning of heavy importation of indentured servants from British Isles and slaves from West Africa, especially into the Southern colonies. The Great Migration comes to an end, as English settlement in New England colonies slows.*
*I can claim immigrant ancestors during these periods. I would hazard a guess that upwards of 40 -50% of my ancestors arrived between 1620 and 1642. They settled in Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, Rhode Island and, eventually, New Netherland.
There were a few failed attempts to settle the eastern seaboard of North America prior to 1600. The Spanish were entrenched in southwestern North America, Mexico and Central and South America.
1607: English establish the Jamestown settlement in Virginia.
1613: The Dutch establish a trading post on Manhattan Island, opening the door to the establishment of the New Netherland Colony.
1619: Indentured servants are imported to Virginia, including about 40 West Africans. These Africans, like their primarily English counterparts work off their indentures. Some of these Africans become slave owners.
1620: The Mayflower arrives in Plymouth Harbor. Pilgrim refugees establish the Plymouth Colony.*
1621 - 1629: A scattering of English settlers arrive in Plymouth and Virginia.*
1620s -1664: The Dutch colony of New Netherland, with it's capital of New Amsterdam is established. Protestant Dutch, Walloon, Flemish and Huguenot refugees from the Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France flood into the colony to escape Catholic rule.*
1623: Settlements are established in what would become New Hampshire and Maine.
1630: The Winthrop Fleet arrives in Massachusetts; the Puritan settlers establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the city of Boston, kicking off the Great Migration that lasts until 1642.*
1634: Maryland is colonized by English Catholics.
1635: Connecticut established by settlers opposed to Puritan government in Massachusetts Bay.*
1636: Rhode Island established by Roger Williams and his followers in opposition to Puritan government in Massachusetts Bay.*
1638: Swedes establish a colony in the Delaware River Valley and christen it New Sweden.
1640 - 42: Beginning of heavy importation of indentured servants from British Isles and slaves from West Africa, especially into the Southern colonies. The Great Migration comes to an end, as English settlement in New England colonies slows.*
*I can claim immigrant ancestors during these periods. I would hazard a guess that upwards of 40 -50% of my ancestors arrived between 1620 and 1642. They settled in Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, Rhode Island and, eventually, New Netherland.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Legends and Lies: The Patriots
Before I jump into bringing my ancestors to America, I wanted to recommend a TV series. Legends and Lies: The Patriots airs on the Fox News channel on Sunday nights. It is also available On Demand through many cable services. The show is the brainchild of Bill O'Reilly. Even if you are not a fan of O'Reilly and Fox News, the series is worth checking out for the historical value.
Each episode has focused on one or two Patriot leaders: Sam Adams & Paul Revere, John Adams, Ben Franklin, George Washington [two: as general & as president], Thomas Jefferson, Francis Marion, Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr, so far.
The casting of the historical figures is not the greatest, but the stories are very good. The series tries to debunk the legends of the men and reveal facts that haven't been revealed in the history books. For example: George Washington, we were taught, could not tell a lie. Yet, the General put together a masterful spy network during the Revolutionary War. We one the war, in part, on G.W.'s ability to fabricate the truth.
The series has strengthened my respect for Washington and John Adams and lessened it somewhat for Jefferson and Hamilton. I was leaning in those directions, anyway.
O'Reilly also has a "companion book" for the series. I'm just starting on it. In the forward he asks "Which side do you think you would have chosen?"
I looked back at where my ancestors were living in the mid to late 18th century: Massachusetts [in what today would be Boston suburbs], western New Jersey [not far from Washington's Delaware crossing], New York City, Maryland, western Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Which side did they choose? Nearly all families were represented in the local militias, Continental Army, or supplying goods to the troops.
How about me? Which side would I have chosen? Knowing myself as I do, early on I would have probably remained part of that third of the Americans who remained neutral. As the war dragged on, I'd have come around to it. I think I would have been there as a member of Washington's Army or smuggling goods to the Army. Maybe I'd have made a halfway decent spy! :)-
Each episode has focused on one or two Patriot leaders: Sam Adams & Paul Revere, John Adams, Ben Franklin, George Washington [two: as general & as president], Thomas Jefferson, Francis Marion, Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr, so far.
The casting of the historical figures is not the greatest, but the stories are very good. The series tries to debunk the legends of the men and reveal facts that haven't been revealed in the history books. For example: George Washington, we were taught, could not tell a lie. Yet, the General put together a masterful spy network during the Revolutionary War. We one the war, in part, on G.W.'s ability to fabricate the truth.
The series has strengthened my respect for Washington and John Adams and lessened it somewhat for Jefferson and Hamilton. I was leaning in those directions, anyway.
O'Reilly also has a "companion book" for the series. I'm just starting on it. In the forward he asks "Which side do you think you would have chosen?"
I looked back at where my ancestors were living in the mid to late 18th century: Massachusetts [in what today would be Boston suburbs], western New Jersey [not far from Washington's Delaware crossing], New York City, Maryland, western Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Which side did they choose? Nearly all families were represented in the local militias, Continental Army, or supplying goods to the troops.
How about me? Which side would I have chosen? Knowing myself as I do, early on I would have probably remained part of that third of the Americans who remained neutral. As the war dragged on, I'd have come around to it. I think I would have been there as a member of Washington's Army or smuggling goods to the Army. Maybe I'd have made a halfway decent spy! :)-
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Coming to America
Covering the next several posts, I am going to take a look at immigration patterns up to the outbreak of the Civil War. The reason I am using the Civil War as a cut-off date is simple: Everyone was here by then! My ancestors, that is.
Beginning with the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620 and ending with the arrival of Catherine O'Neil from Ireland about 1852, both sides of the family had made their way from Europe to America.
Many of you have ancestors or immediate family who are relative newcomers to the USA. Others of us claim early America heritage.
For me, the ancestral background is heavily Western European, with a tiny dose of Northern European blood mixed in.
Great Britain dominates the contribution to the family: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Continental Europe: The Netherlands, Switzerland, Flanders/Wallonia/Belgium/Northern France, German States, and Sweden.
These folks arrived in several colonies: Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Netherland/New York and migrated into others: Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina.
In addition to the above colonies that became part of the US, families found their way into Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin & Kentucky. We would call other states home later on.
Beginning with the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620 and ending with the arrival of Catherine O'Neil from Ireland about 1852, both sides of the family had made their way from Europe to America.
Many of you have ancestors or immediate family who are relative newcomers to the USA. Others of us claim early America heritage.
For me, the ancestral background is heavily Western European, with a tiny dose of Northern European blood mixed in.
Great Britain dominates the contribution to the family: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Continental Europe: The Netherlands, Switzerland, Flanders/Wallonia/Belgium/Northern France, German States, and Sweden.
These folks arrived in several colonies: Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Netherland/New York and migrated into others: Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina.
In addition to the above colonies that became part of the US, families found their way into Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin & Kentucky. We would call other states home later on.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
State Census Records
Most of the states have some census records. It may be a handful of counties or just one or two years. Several states took a regular census on the '5' year [1855, 1865, 1875, etc.]. For a list of states with census years available see the following link: https://www.census.gov/history/www/genealogy/other_resources/state_censuses.html
The following states have not taken any censuses: CT, ID, KY, MT, OH, PA, VT
The state census can be a big help for those missing records between 1800 and 1900. Just hope your ancestors lived in a state with a good census.
The following states have not taken any censuses: CT, ID, KY, MT, OH, PA, VT
The state census can be a big help for those missing records between 1800 and 1900. Just hope your ancestors lived in a state with a good census.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Arizona Territory / Indian Census
Two other federal census schedules of note:
[1] Arizona Territorial Census 1864 - 1882 [years enumerated: 1866, 67, 69, 74, 76, 82]
[2] Indian Census Rolls 1885 - 1940 - if you have Native American Indian heritage, check it out.
Both are indexed at Ancestry.com
Final census installment: State Censuses!
[1] Arizona Territorial Census 1864 - 1882 [years enumerated: 1866, 67, 69, 74, 76, 82]
[2] Indian Census Rolls 1885 - 1940 - if you have Native American Indian heritage, check it out.
Both are indexed at Ancestry.com
Final census installment: State Censuses!
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