Some ancestors are more "portable" than others. Their lifestyle, economic status, and occupation can make it easier for them to pick up and move. Stop and think about how easy or difficult it would have been for your relative to simply move.
And if they did move, what records might they have left behind as a part of the moving process? Would there be records documenting the move? Land records may reference a new residence for an ancestor, especially if the sale of property was finalized after the move had taken place.
My ancestors from the 1600's, 1700's, and 1800's seemed to move quite a bit - probably for other or different opportunities. In the 1600's, family members moved from New York City to Albany, NY (just a trip up the Hudson River!). In addition, they were back and forth to Holland a number of times. The 1700's had others moving from New York City to places like Schnectady, NY, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia, etc. My 4th gg parents (he was a Physician), left Philadelphia in 1816 for the wilds of Murfreesboro, Tennessee -- cannot figure out the "why". Then, about 5 years later he moved the family to Courtland, Alabama. Another family branch left Baltimore, went to Greensburg, Pa., then Cincinnati, then Texas - all in the early 1800's (Texas was still owned by Mexico). In the 1900's the ones who finally landed in the Pittsburgh, PA area never went anywhere! By that time, I guess they were content to work in the steel mills, coal mines, rivers, etc. One group had a history of building river boats in Beaver County, PA in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I wish I knew the "why" and the "how" of their various adventures, but that information is long gone - aside from obvious river travel. To make a long story longer, I have Civil War ancestors on both sides. Interesting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are talking about my Jordans.
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