Genealogists in general may be divided into two groups, particularly those interested in southern families:
Some are focused on one locale; perhaps their ggg grandparents were born there, where they, too began. They may have innumerable cousins and surnames associated with that locale, but when members of their ancestral families left the area, at whatever generation, their interest tended to wane. These may be called stayers.
Others find themselves becoming interested primarily (more and more
as the years go by) in migration patterns. Their ggg grandparents
were likely born a thousand or two miles from their own birthplace.
Their ancestors and early cousins may have lived in a dozen states,
for example
PA>DE>NC>GA>AL>MS>LA>NM>CA, as in the case of my
Claytons, or
MD>PA>VA>SC>AL>MS>TN>LA>CA, as in the case of my
Leech family.
These may be called movers. Movers are often held in
little repute by stayers.
Perhaps the most common type of southern families is a mixture of the two. For example I have cousins in all of the states mentioned above. In the south for a good century land was thought of as a disposable, nay, perishable commodity. Ten years of farming, and the land was (or at least was thought to be) all used up. At that point members of the same families often tended to separate; the younger children moved on to new lands, seeking fresh (and cheap!) acerage, while the older son may have continued to carry on the projects begun by his father. In the Clayton family you may see this happen in DE, NC, GA, AL, and LA.
Recent generations have seen a related but somewhat different factor. As mobility in this country developed, jobs became specializied, and the well trained often found it necessary to go to far places pursuing their vocation. Their geographical interests of necessity expanded.
Whether your families (and you) were stayers or movers I hope that you will find these files interesting and instructive. They are the result of many years of wonder and research.
Address comments, corrections, suggestions, criticism, praise, or just an introduction to Larry Clayton.
If you're interested in any of these families, I'd love to get to know you. Thanks for visiting.
© 2001, 2002 Larry Clayton