Share your Ancestral Story

When did your ancestors come to America? Please reply to this post with any stories on this topic you'd like to share.

My family arrived in New York at Castle Garden (pre Ellis Island) in 1853 from Bohemia

After reading the story of Frankie Meyer tracing her ancestry back to 1650, I got chills. I recognized the name Hans Peter Umstat. I logged onto my ancestry.com profile and started going through my information. If I'm right he would be my grandfather's 7th paternal great grandfather. I'm just starting out researching my geneology and reading this article gave me a boost to do more. I only wish that it had given contact information for Ms. Meyer. My grandfather grew up in southeast Kansas, just a drive away from Joplin, Mo where she lives. It would be great to find out just how closely related we are!

Hi,
I would very much enjoy hearing from you. My e-mail address is frankiemeyer@yahoo.com. When Jim and I went to Philadelphia last fall, in addition to the Pennypacker Historic Site, we also went to the Germantown area, and walked along the historic cobblestone street known as Germantown Road. Along that street is located the first Mennonite Church in America. My ancestor Peter Keyser, was the first minister there. As we walked up to the church, we saw a memorial to him on the left of the entrance. Peter's daughter Elizabeth married Peter Pennypacker, a son of Henry Pennypacker and Eva Umstat (daughter of Hans Peter Umstat). While walking along that historic road, we also went on a tour of the Johnson House, which was part of the underground railroad. At that museum, I learned that all of the Germans-whether Mennonites, Quakers or Lutherans--who lived along that road (Umstats, Pennypackers and Keysers and others) helped slaves escape to freedom as far back as the 1700s. Located next to the Johnson House, was a house once owned by the Keyser family. Sadly, the Keyser house is in great disrepair.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Frankie

My mother's father's ancestorial name is Ellyson. The first recorded Ellyson in American is Robert Ellyson in 1642. Lived in Saint Mary's County in Maryland. He was Sheriff of the county.

I am proud to say that my ancestor, Thomas Heyward, Junior, of South Carolina signed the Declaration of Independence. He was a 5th generation American so I guess we've been around for a long time. I was always told that the Heywards came to South Carolina by way of the Barbados but I have not found anything to support that. They were originally from Little Eaton in Darbyshire, England.

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The Johannes and Elisabeth ZOLLINGER family of Switzerland are among my ancestors. They immigrated to the USA in 1862. Johannes lived in a 3-story home that his family had lived in for generations, and he was considered a well-to-do farmer. In addition to the farm income, their family made money from silks and other fine fabrics his wife and daughters wove on the loom. When missionaries converted the family to a new religion, they decided to sell their home and farm, and leave everything behind, including the graves of five of their children. For Johannes and Elizabeth Zollinger, life in America wasn’t easy, and they went through a lot of hardships, but they never regretted their decision.

My father arrived in New York City on board a Greek Merchant Marine ship sometime in the late 30's. The crew was given liberty and he left. The next day during roll call it was discovered that he wasn't there. He had indeed, jumped ship. Shortly after that he met my mother. He related to her what had happened. She gave him money and put him on a bus to Canada, and had him legally enter the country that way. Needless to say, they fell in love and had me sometime later. I'll be 69 in June.
Sorry to say, I've never been able to find anything about my Greek family. The only thing I know for certain is that they lived in a fishing village called Neos Marmaras.

kleon24 Lyndora, PA

My family's first generation starts with Robert Ingalls, who was born in Skirbeck, Lincolnshire, England in 1568. Subsequent generations migrated to Massachusetts and the seventh generation Ingalls lived in New Hampshire. Eighth generation Samuel Ingalls married Margaret Delano, of whom Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a direct descendant. Margaret Delano was also a direct descendant of Richard Warren, one the signers of the "Mayflower Pact." Charles Ingalls, who was my great-great uncle, and is the 10th generation of Ingalls was the first and only generation to live in Minnesota. They moved from Pepin County, Wisconsin to the banks of Plum Creek, Walnut Grove, in 1874. Laura Ingalls' (my fourth cousin) brother, Charles, was actually born in Redwood Co., MN on November 1, 1875, and died August 27, 1876 in Wabasha County. Their history in Minnesota is documented in all of Laura's "Little House on the Prairie" books. I have the entire family tree documented from the first generation, 1568, through my generation, the thirteenth, and my children, the fourteenth. I am a direct descendant of Charles Ingalls' brother, Hiram, whom Laura refers to in her books as "Uncle Hi."

My kin are "johnny- come-latelies" after reading some of the above posts. My paternal gfather and gmother both came from Germany. They met in Washington Co, Texas and married. raising 8 children and a bunch of gchildren! They came through Galveston, Tx. Gfather came on a ship with one cousin. All others were seamen and spoke no German. He had a big red trunk on which was painted TEXAS for his destination.