Note from the Author

My love of genealogy comes from my Great Aunts. They told me wonderful stories of my ancestors laced with the history of America. Stories filled with Revolutionaries, Pirates and Explorers. My father scoffed at many of the tales.

In 6th grade, my teacher gave us an assignment to find out where our ancestors came from.

My dad told me, "You're American".

"No Dad, my Ancestors."

"You're American."

I went and asked my mom.

She told me her ancestors came from Austria, Germany and Poland. My Great Aunt Nelle told me that Dad's came from England, France, Scotland and Ireland. She said I was a big mixing pot, clearly an American. She added that I even had a little Native American in me, though I have not yet found it!

My Great Aunt left me a box and the family bible. It contained family pictures, obituaries, wedding certificates and letters from family members listing their children. I used it to start our family tree and it now has over 13,000 members. I also found that many of my Aunt's tales were true.

The following is the story of the families that came to America, why they may have done so, and what they did when they got here. I hope you enjoy it.

Ann Graves Wantuch

The information comes from sources listed or from family members.