In grade school in Philadelphia, we were required to study the history of Pennsylvania, including the story of the Pennsylvania Dutch (which includes my ancestors). I recall clearly that the chief reason for migration out of PA and into Ohio, Indiana, and eventually further west was the need for farmland for the second sons (and daughters) of the early settlers. Jim in Pasadena Colleen wrote: > > I have family who moved from Berks Co., PA, to Seven Mile, Butler Co., > OH, in 1832, and then to Darke Co., OH, in 1853. Other family members > moved from Lebanon Co., PA, and Lehigh Co., PA, to Ohio during this same > time period. I assumed these settlements were based upon available > farmland and maintainence of their religious societies, but I have no > facts to support this. >