Immigrant Index
(Index of Known Immigrants in the Family Lines)
{Be Sure to Refer to Explanatory Notes Following the Table}
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Note: Many immigrant ancestors not listed above, mostly arriving from The Netherlands,
may be found under Ancestry of Elizabeth Bellis PACKER (1834-1931).
Explanatory Notes
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Family
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Named family line descending from the named immigrant.
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Name
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The specific known immigrant with actual or approximated dates of birth if known. Note that where a family immigrated together, the youngest specific individual from whom the family descended is named. For example, where a father and son arrived together, both are immigrant ancestors, but the son is the one named.
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From
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Country of origin. This is, as far as can be determined, the country where the immigrant was permanently living before immigrating. If, for example, someone was living in The Netherlands but went briefly to England before sailing for America, the country of origin is still The Netherlands.
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Year
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Actual or approximate year the immigrant arrived in America.
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Reason
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The primary reason for immigrating if it can be determined with reasonable certainty. In most cases, of course, this is pure speculation based upon the circumstances and the known facts. Additionally, it should be noted that only the presumed primary reason is given. For example, someone who immigrates for reasons based upon Religion can also be seeking improved Economic opportunities. With regard to the primary reasons given, the following definitions apply, bearing in mind that a lot of speculation is involved:
Economic: Immigration was primarily for the purpose of seeking improved
improved economic opportunities, i.e., a better and possibly more
profitable way of life.
Religion: Immigration was for religious freedom or to escape religious
persecution, bearing in mind, as noted above, that economic factors
undoubtedly came into play as well. Moreover, while many of the people
listed above undoutedly experienced persecution in the sense of
interference with their desired way to practice their religion, it should
be pointed out that there is no evidence any of them suffered the type
of persecution that, for example, characterized the various Inquisitions.
Religion might also be a reason why a clergyman would move to a new country,
i.e., to find better opportunities to extend one's ministry.
Circumstantial: An unusual set of circumstances resulted in the
immigrant's arrival in America - circumstances that may have simply
been, in a manner of speaking, by accident.
Unknown: Not enough circumstances are known to even speculate.
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Occupation
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This is the first occupation the named individual is presumed to have taken up upon arrival in America. This may or may not have been the same occupation the person had upon departure from his or her country of origin, nor was it necessarily the reason for immigrating. In the case of immigrant children, the occupation of the parents is given. Colonial and early America was, of course, mainly agrarian, so that was the occupation of most settlers in this family tree and others. It is very likely that those listed as "Unknown" in the chart above were also farmers.
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