While continuing my genealogical research I’ve come to the realization that a large number of my ancestors came to North America before the American Revolutionary War. Long before Ellis Island ever existed and long before any roads or highways were created. They lived at a time when they had to cut their way through the forests, build their own homes, and live without running water or public services (like they had in Europe), i.e., without grocery stores or hospitals to support their families. Parts of North America belonged to various entities, including England, France, and Spain as well as the indigenous Indian tribes, and conflicts among them were growing. The thirteen British colonies were especially beginning a significant transformation and I’ve found that a large number of my ancestors, and my wife Terrie’s ancestors, were part of it. For Terrie, this included several of the Pilgrims that came to America on the Mayflower, as well as others later on. I found out today that one of my great-grandfathers by the name of James Grover came to America from England in 1646, which wasn’t too long after Terrie’s great-grandparents arrived at Plymouth Rock. Another of my great-grandfathers, a James Winter from England, arrived in Maryland in 1645; another, Peter Lau from France, arrived in Philadelphia in 1732; and I could go on. The list is amazingly long. When I first started my genealogical research over twenty years ago, I had no idea that I would discover such things. No less amazing is that I have found over 25 of my great-grandparents (and at least 20 of Terrie’s) who fought during the Revolutionary War when the thirteen colonies declared their independence from England. In fact today I found another one to add to this list by the name of Georg Heigis who came to America from Germany in 1754 and fought for America’s freedom during the revolution (SAR # P-346767). He was laid to rest in the cemetery next to the very first Lutheran Church to be built in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1745 (see photo). Just think, next year that cemetery will be 280 years old – 31 years older than the USA !!
Twenty years ago I had no idea that our family played such a significant role in the creation of the United States of America. It makes me very proud to know this and to be able to share this knowledge with my children and grandchildren in the booklets Terrie and I’ve created of the various branches of our family tree. I’m sure as time goes on our family will continue this tradition and participate in even greater things in our country’s future. In the meantime, I plan to carry on capturing as much of this information electronically and in writing as I can before my time expires. Hopefully it will be of benefit some day to those who come after me.
