When looking for possible migration routes, you have to look at the TIME the persons migrated and try to put yourselves in their situation. Migrations, carrying all their worldly goods, must by necessity take the path of least resistance, and that often means an indirect route from Point A to Point B. Rivers and streams often were the preferred path, and established roads and trails were also popular. The availability of water and food sources for grazing animals was also an important factor. This usually means that supply points would develop along a oft used route, and these points would become towns, and eventually Cities, in most cases. Rivers were often crossed by a ferry, and the place where a Ferry was established often became a stopping point, for supplies, lay-overs, and consolidating into new groups. A topographical map is useful for seeing which way offered the path of least resistance. Modern conveniences, like satellite images, allow us to take a birds-eye view of the terrain and see with our own eyes the likely route. Knowing the developments in history and the political, social and population factors that lead to immigration helps to determine when and where the pioneers came from, and where they likely stopped along the way. A key thing to note is that modern highways and railroads followed the early trails and the path of least resistance, additionally they often follow a river if it is going their way. River traffic by barge and steamer was common in the mid 1800s, and by the time of the War Between the States, steamboats, and rail travel were common. Canals were developed to unite waterways, and commerce was the reason, a path of least resistance. Look for "wilderness roads" and read about the early pioneers to an area to have references of where they traveled. Some narratives exist which actually document the journey, like Joel Peffley's writings about the family trip from Virginia to Montgomery County in 1835. (on the website), or where some of our residents went when leaving the county, (the millers and several other families were Primitive baptists, going first to Mercer Co. Illinois, then Oregon, diaries exist, http://ibssg.org/miller/) Look at bible records, and see when and where children were born, and where people died or were married. Map it out, and do a time line. Knowing where and when can help focus a further search. Know also that families and especially church groups moved as a whole. They generally know that safety lies in numbers and a cohesive community can establish itself quickly, vs a covey of strangers. People move to places that have familiarity, and pretty much are like where they come from, often named after where they came from - example, The Miller clan moved from Millersburg in Mercer County, Illinois, to Millersburg in Linn County Oregon, near Crawfordsville, Oregon. There are Montgomery Counties in Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana, and probably many more, there ids always a possibility that your ancestors previously lived someplace named the same as the place they settled. A commonality of place names is probably not a coincidence. Iris wagoner wrote: > Several also migrated from KY and on to Iowa. > They seemed to travel in families. > > > http://ingenweb.org/inmontgomery/ > > List Manager - inmontgo-admin@rootsweb.com > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INMONTGO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > -- Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG ~~~~ "It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." Samuel Adams "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." John Adams