Gateway Ancestors

Doug,

I had to look up what happened in 1607. Weren't there earlier French and
Spanish settlements in the now USA?

Norenxaq, Leo, Nat, Will, Sue, Tim, probably others,

Thank you all for your replies. I begin to feel that I understand how the
term is used (and why it seemed a bit vague).

Of my twelve who came to Australia, I can trace five before the beginning of
parish records in England, one to the beginning of parish records in
Scotland and one (with some uncertainty) to the beginning of parish records
in Mecklenbutg-Schwerin. If that's of any interest to anyone.

I'm impressed with the number of known ancestors you have in the 17th
century, Nat. I tend to arrange mine by generations back from my son. His 8G
grandparents tend to have been born in the late 17th century and I know 138
of them. Fewer in preceding generations until the numbers start to grow
again from 13G (108), which is about the beginning of parish records in
England, to 29G (395) which is about the time of the Norman conquest. That
last number is as likely to contract as to expand as I apply the knowledge
of sources that I have slowly gained here and elsewhere. If anyone else has
records that conveniently show this kind of pattern I'd be interested to
know whether my experience is typical.

I did know there were some bragging rights involved. As far as I know,
Australia has nothing corresponding to American lineage societies and I have
only the vaguest idea of how they work. I have heard of DAR, but that's
probably the only name I would recognize.

Renia...

I think there is a First Fleet society, or something of that nature, for
people whose ancestors went to Australia on the first fleet in 1789.

mjcar...

Indeed: the Fellowship of First Fleeters (the date is actually 1788).
It's sort of our equivalent of the Mayflower Society, only populated
largely by the descendants of convicted criminals (such as yours
truly).

I'm glad I asked.

Best,
Ken