Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/302 Surname: ------------------------- Dear Sharon, Your ancestors may indeed have arrived in Niagara County by way of the Erie Canal. The canal was officially opened in 1825 and toward the western end of its route it passed through the "port" towns in Niagara County, went on to North Tonawanda, Niagara Co., and ended up at its terminal in Tonawanda, Erie Co., where it met with the uppper Niagara River. From there passengers heading westward boarded lake steamers and traveled along Lake Erie and the upper Great Lakes until they reached their destination, whether it be somewhere in Ohio or Michigan. Those families who settled here in the 1830s and moved again westward would have just loaded up their wagon and driven to the area of Buffalo where they would have then unload their possessions on to a lake steamer. I hope this helps you in figuring out the migration pattern of your family. Vee Housman Youngstown, NY