Beth, I may have a little bit of an answer for you. I went to a lecture this summer in Denver regarding genealogy in the Ohio River Valley. The speaker was a genius in the matter and explained migration a bit. Although these answers might not be as specific as you are looking for. These answers are not my own, just a little something that I picked up. Also, I'm not from Ohio or the area so forgive my lack of geographic knowledge. 1. The state of Ohio has more Revolutionary War veterans buried there than any other state. 2. Land north of the Ohio River was sold and given to Revolutionary War Veterans as a thank you for their service. The reason this land was selected was because the land had not been settled much yet and northern Ohio was full of Mohawk Indians who were apparently VERY violent and ruthless... or at least the colonists thought so. So, the government figured they could put veterans in this area, who were typically pretty rough and not easily scared, as a sort of barrier between the Mohawks and colonists (or is Americans the right word). However this was typically from after the revolution until 1795 with the Indian Treaties. 3. If an area wanted to become a state, it required a certain minimum population in order to qualify. Often times, states had to lure people to their area with incentives. Prior to statehood (1803, correct?) Ohio promised each new settler tax exemption for 5 years in order to lure people to the area. What that means for the genealogist is that if you find someone on a tax roll for the first time in 1804, they had been in the state since 1799. I'm not sure when this incentive began or ended. I would assume from the end of the war to statehood or shortly thereafter. I know these answers are before your timeline but I think it plays a role and I'm sure your explanation of family joining family is the rest of the argument. My family migrated from Montgomery County, Virginia to Gallia in the early 1800s. Another thing he brought up which may relate indirectly is what was called the "national road" which is vaguely Interstate 70 today. Because of the mountainous territory there (I'm assuming the Appalachian Mountains) there were very few easy paths west. Many new settlers, especially Germans, would land in Baltimore. The road let them to Pittsburgh and on into Columbus. That seemed to be the easiest path west. Hope that answers some questions and that it doesn't bring up more. Mary Clark -----Original Message----- From: ohgallia-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ohgallia-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Beth Haney Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 4:57 PM To: ohgallia@rootsweb.com Subject: [OHGALLIA] A question about migration I've read a number of pieces about the movement into Ohio and points westward, but does anyone have a clue why so many people from the Monroe County, Virginia, area moved specifically into Gallia and Lawrence counties? I know there were early settlers in both places shortly after Ohio became a state, but either the traffic picked up a whole lot during the 1830s and 1840s, or my perception has been tainted by the number of people from the lines I research who showed up around then. I'm just wondering if there was something of particular significance I missed or whether it was simply a matter of some of those in Monroe County deciding to join family members who made the move before them. ???? I've considered all kinds of things, but I'd be interested in hearing what others might have come up with in the way of an explanation. Or am I the only one who's curious enough to go to this much trouble?! ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to OHGALLIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message