Every genealogist wants to find his or her forebear overseas in their ancestral home. This talk is a lively discussion of how to accomplish this. A close examination of important American emigration sources is made. Suggestions are given as to which sources are the best, and which should be viewed with suspicion. Emphasis is given to doing one's American homework first before plunging overseas to look for ancestors.
Absolutely crucial to this discussion is the fact that "They Came Together: They Stayed Together!" Group emigration is stressed, and suggestions made as to just how to look for "clusters" of emigrating settlers. Sponsors at baptisms, witnesses to wills and deeds, and names on unalphabetized lists are all examined as to clues for origins.
Methodology used in writing the two volume set The Palatine Families of New York - 1710 is described. Over 600 of the 847 Palatine arrivals in colonial New York in 1710 were found overseas via ongoing German village-to-village investigations, as well as over 1500 later arrivals in the second wave of emigration 1717-1776: we look at how this was accomplished, and suggestions are made for others who wish to utilize these methods in discovering ancestral origins – no matter what ethnic background or time-frame.
Henry Z ("Hank") Jones, Jr. has been actively climbing family trees since the age of eight, and, since his graduation from Stanford, has specialized in tracing 18th century German emigrants. Hank has written several books and many articles over the years. He received the NGS Award of Merit for "Distinguished Work in Genealogy" and has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, of whom there are only fifty.
There will be a short business meeting before the presentations. Finger food and snacks are available before and after the meeting.
Guests and visitors are welcome at all CVGS meetings. If this program interests you, please attend and enjoy the presentation and the society members.