OK, so
that is a gimmee. Start researching and the basic information collected
enlarges from birth, marriage, death, to birth, marriage, death and "new place."
Even
though cold in Chicago, the first day of spring was this past week, and that
induces thoughts of buds and green leaves, of planting and enjoying flowers,
all images of "new growth."
Immigration…
the same. Immigration for many (most?)
included the hope, the belief that things would be better in the new place --
house, county, country -- and therefore the willingness to undertake both the
considerable bother, and the considerable expense of moving. [I know, technically the first two moves are
emigration, but the point is still true.]
Leaving "the old country" might well be prompted due to duress
-- the potato famine, pogroms, wars, conscription -- but the other side of the
coin was the tied belief that the "new country" would offer better
options. Hard probably, extremely hard,
perhaps, but still, for whatever reason, or reasons, better options than the
current situation in "the old country" had on the table.
And
let's be honest. The
"standard" mental image of immigrants is the Ellis Island era, the
"tired and poor" arriving with their possessions in bundles and
chests. This was true, for
thousands. But … immigration is not
done. YoYo Ma immigrated, and became a
US citizen: his naturalization card is on Ancestry. My friend and banker immigrated from
Vietnam.
Additionally,
enlarge your mental construct past the US-centric sphere, where all roads lead
to USA shores. Historically, and now,
people leave the US as well come to the
US, and move between other countries (which shouldn’t surprise..) And many traveled with a stop-over, months,
years, a generation, before arriving in the US. (ie. England --> Canada -->
US). If you can make a case for a
certain immigration route, it probably happened, at least once.
**********************
Practicum:
When your immigrant ancestors are recent enough for you to know the European
hometown, and you have living known relations in that town, get out your saving
information tools, asap. Get all the
documents, BMD, and pictures of all people/houses/churches/farms. You have a great gift waiting to be tied up
with a bow.
When
you don't have recent immigrant ancestors, hit the 1900/1910 US census, and
check the Naturalization column, which may produce a homerun to the tiny
hometown named as birthplace on the naturalization application/certificate. Ditto for the obit, and look for the obit not
only in the appropriate English newspaper, but also look at the native language
paper published for that area. (and
don't forget to check the obit of sibs.)
And,… look for every scrap of paper that relates to these people on this
side of "the pond." Everything
that you find will be useful if not vital.
"May the road
rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the
sun shine warm upon your face,
and
rains fall soft upon your fields."
Traditional Irish blessing.
Till next time,
Liz
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
2018
begins with an "ABC-darium," a walk through the alphabet expanding
into short comments on matters genealogical. Published on Tuesday and
some Fridays, a letter may be visited more than once before moving
on.
©
2018, SE Ross
