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Knowing the migration patterns and routes used
by our ancestors in the westward expansion of the United States is
critical to success in genealogical research. The phrase "go west young
man" held a unique context that has a totally different meaning than most
people today can comprehend unless they have an interest in history.
Our ancestors were faced with a variety of
factors that prompted them to move westward. Some migrated voluntarily
while others were forced to move. A sampling of the most common factors
that led to migration would include the following:
1. Promises of new land
2. Economic opportunity
3. Religious issues
4. The desire to have a fresh start in life
5. Escape a family problem or community situation
6. The shift in our economy from agriculture to industrialized
7. Development of our canal and railroad system
8. Natural or man-made disasters that occurred in a given community or
region
9. Epidemics
Land and economic issues tended to be main
factors that fueled migration to the west. The amount of available land
quickly disappeared along the eastern coast as our population
increased. Agriculture was the dominant occupation in our early
history. Inefficient farming methods caused the soil to lose its
fertility quickly. This forced farmers to look westward. Families tended
to be large. Since the first-born usually inherited whatever property or
wealth a family owned, the children were eventually forced to look
elsewhere for employment. As the industrial revolution began to take hold
in America, many young people were eager to escape back-breaking labor on
farms for city life. Men who were skilled enough to work on canal and
railroad projects were always moving westward. Although America was
touted as a bastion of religious freedom, various religious groups found
it difficult to adjust or find acceptance in certain areas in the east.
The Mormons would be one of many examples of religious groups that chose
to move westward.
When tracking ancestors who migrated, you
should consider the following factors:
1. Study a county or state history of the area
where the migration occurred (this may shed information on where they
migrated from)
2. Check the topography of the area was to see what land, sea, or mountain
barriers existed at the time period when your ancestor would have been in
the area
3. Locate the nearest county courthouse to the area where surviving
records for that time period would exist
4. Investigate all possibilities of how they got from Point A to Point B
5. What types of transportation would have been feasible in the terrain
6. Based on what you know about the ancestor or family, compile a list of
what records might have been generated (birth, marriage, death, school
enrollment, etc.)
Compiled genealogies can provide significant
clues to migration patterns, sketches of homesteads, family group sheets
and pedigree charts. Histories of given localities are another excellent
source. This information can be found in books, videos, websites, oral
history compilations, regional histories, ethnic histories, and church
records and histories.
The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
periodically holds a 20 course session on this subject at their January
educational conference. I strongly recommend this tract for anyone
researching their family. Information on future subjects can be found at
the following website:
http://www.infouga.org/institute.html.
Bryan L. Mulcahy
Reference Librarian
Fort Myers-Lee County Library
2050 Central Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33901-3917
Tel: (239)- 479-4651
Fax: (239)- 479-4634 |
