Phebe Browne (1620-1664) - The Immigrant

It was surprising for me to see how many historians and genealogists have written about my 9th great grandmother, Phebe Browne. A Google search for her name returns nearly 50,000 results—a staggering number for a woman who lived in the 1600s. 

Louis J. Houlette (1764-1841) - The Immigrant: Finding Louis

Numerous descendants, myself and my parents included, have spent countless hours trying to find records in France for Louis J. Houlette, my 4X great grandfather. Despite our efforts, we all came up empty handed. Will recent discoveries finally break down this brick wall?

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Five: The Rest of the Story

George Edgington built a sizable farm on Dillon’s Run in the backcountry of western Virginia. Here his wife Margaret gave birth to their eight children. Six of those children would wed and start families of their own there. Despite such deep roots, George, Margaret, their children and grandchildren would all move away.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Four: The Land Owner

We resume the story about George after he has returned home from having been captured by Indians and held by the French for three years during the early days of the French and Indians Wars. George and his wife Margaret have settled back into their lives. Soon they would welcome their sixth son, Jesse, in 1759, followed by daughters Hannah in 1760 and Jemima in 1765.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Three: The Indian Years

George and Margaret Edgington left Philadelphia around 1743/44 for the western frontier of Virginia. They were likely part of a larger group of settlers that were heading to the region.

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part Two: The Young American

Last month we determined that George likely arrived in America as a stowaway at the age of 14.  So, what happened to him next?

George Edgington I (1707-1791) - The Immigrant - Part One: The Stowaway

George Edgington's life reads like an adventure novel.  It is said that he arrived as a stowaway, lived as a frontiersman, was kidnapped and taken to Canada, his wife married another man, and he fought in a war.  But what, if any, of this true?  Join me as we take a deep dive into his life.

Louis J. Houlette (1764-1841) - The Immigrant - Post 1 Arrival?

I’ve been struggling with what I should write about in this first blog. As luck would have it, a new discovery simply cries out to be shared. Thus it is that I start with Louis J. Houlette, my 4x great-grandfather.