| Albums |
 | Great Migration (119)
The "Great Migration," as defined by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), encompasses the English Puritan migration to New England from 1620 to 1640. This movement primarily involved English Puritans who relocated in family units, driven by a quest for religious freedom and the aspiration to establish a Puritan commonwealth. These migrants originated from various regions of England and settled in areas that now form Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, including the Plymouth Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
An individual's inclusion in the Great Migration Study Project requires evidence of migration to New England within the specified period of 1620 to 1640. The project's objective is to compile biographical and genealogical profiles of all immigrants who arrived in New England during these two decades. The NEHGS has produced extensive volumes and directories, providing details about the lives of these immigrants. This collection presents research on many ancestors who were part of this significant historical migration.
You may be shocked by how many there are. Even I was at first. However, most of these Great Migration ancestors are my 9th and 10th great-grandparents, and in some cases 11th and 12th, and with the number of great-grandparents doubling with each generation, the possibilities quickly become immense. We have a total of 1024 sets of 9th great-grandparents and 2048 sets of 10th great-grandparents. This makes finding so many Great Migration ancestors more understandable. |
 | Founding Families of Weymouth (6)
Weymouth, Massachusetts, originally known as Wessagusset Colony, is the second oldest town in the Commonwealth. The recorded history of Weymouth begins in 1622, not long after the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth.
The Wessagusset Colony was a short-lived English trading colony in New England located in Weymouth, Massachusetts. It was settled in August 1622 by between 50 and 60 colonists who were ill-prepared for colonial life.
The colony was established by Thomas Weston, a London merchant who had helped finance the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. Weston believed there was potential for a lucrative business based on trade with the New World. However, the colonists were not well-prepared for the challenges of colonial life, and the colony was settled without adequate provisions.
Tensions built throughout the winter between the settlers and the local Native American tribes, leading to instances of theft and hostility. One colonist fled to Plymouth to warn of an imminent attack, leading to a violent confrontation in which several Native Americans were killed.
The Wessagusset Colony disbanded after this violent incident. Many of the survivors returned to England, others joined Plymouth, and a few sailed up the coast to settle in Maine. In 1635, 21 new families arrived from Weymouth, England, and the town was renamed Weymouth. The settlers lived primarily on fishing and farming, and they also harvested lumber from the forests and salt and thatch from its salt marshes.
The Plymouth Council for New England gave Robert Gorges a patent for a settlement covering 300 square miles. This settlement was intended to be a spiritual and civic capital of the New England colonies. The town slowly grew, and by 1633 it was described as a small village with a spacious harbor for shipping, good ground for farming, and a good store of fish and swine.
In the 1630s, Wessagusset became recognized as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The town continued to grow and develop, with its population expanding rapidly in the post-World War II era. Today, Weymouth is a thriving city that retains its historical charm while offering modern amenities and services. |
1590 - 1636 (46 years)
Set As Default Person 
[1, 3] 
