Between 1850 and 1888 eight families emigrated from Germany, Ireland, England, or from the Eastern United states to California. All of them settled within a 40 mile radius centered on San Jose. They come from very different places and circumstances, but at some point all of their family lines met. The fact that you are reading this, indicates that you likely trace at least a little of your heritage to one or more of these people. For a few of us, this site will document all of our California ancestors (should it ever be completed).
In some cases, a fair amount is known about these emigrants. In a few cases very, very little is known. The process of researching these people caused me to come to know and think about them as persons rather than names and a sparse collection of facts. Genealogical research can be a little addicting, and there is really no way to "complete" it. In time, I realized that I needed a way to limit the scope of what I was looking into, and that a medium for preserving what I was learning. I decided that a simple website with eight pages would work (one for each family line), and that I should limit each family line to its arrival in California.
I counted fifteen emigrants, and named the site. While I have tried to verify information I include in the site, I am sure there are inaccuracies. (Starting with the name of the site, There are many more than fifteen emigrants in these pages.) I was also wrong about how long this would take. Initially, I imagined that the project would take a couple of weeks. Now, years later, only a fraction of the pages are complete, and those are still in rough form.
To date, the site has generated very little interest. So, if you are reading this, thanks! I hope that if you finds error, or if you have content that could be added, you would be kind enough forward any information or images, documents, stories or suggestions. Click here to contact me.
In some cases, a fair amount is known about these emigrants. In a few cases very, very little is known. The process of researching these people caused me to come to know and think about them as persons rather than names and a sparse collection of facts. Genealogical research can be a little addicting, and there is really no way to "complete" it. In time, I realized that I needed a way to limit the scope of what I was looking into, and that a medium for preserving what I was learning. I decided that a simple website with eight pages would work (one for each family line), and that I should limit each family line to its arrival in California.
I counted fifteen emigrants, and named the site. While I have tried to verify information I include in the site, I am sure there are inaccuracies. (Starting with the name of the site, There are many more than fifteen emigrants in these pages.) I was also wrong about how long this would take. Initially, I imagined that the project would take a couple of weeks. Now, years later, only a fraction of the pages are complete, and those are still in rough form.
To date, the site has generated very little interest. So, if you are reading this, thanks! I hope that if you finds error, or if you have content that could be added, you would be kind enough forward any information or images, documents, stories or suggestions. Click here to contact me.
