Who Was Your First Canadian or American Born Ancestor?

I was curious as to who my first Canadian and American born ancestors were. It was fun looking in my database to find out. 

My first Canadian ancestor was Leonard-Tremi (Jonas) Le Roy baptised 1674 in what is now Quebec. 

My first Ontario born ancestor was Levi Peer who was born 1807 in what was then Upper Canada.

My first born American ancestor was Styntje Jans Snediker born 1641 in New Amsterdam (now New York City)

Caveat: I've omitted my Mohawk ancestor Ots-Toch (wife of Cornelis Van Slyke) because I have no idea of her ancestry going back in time but it certainly was hundreds of years before Styntje. 

My husband has no American ancestry. His first born Canadian ancestor was Ellen Montgomery born in 1822 in Quebec. Johannes Alexander Allen Butler, son of his black ancestor, was a close second being born in 1824 in York County Ontario. 

Who was your first North American ancestor?

 

Calling all Van Alstyne descendants! Check Out the New Book on the Family

 

 Announcing my latest book in my New Netherland Settlers series:

New Netherland Settlers: The Van Alstyne Family: Ancestors and Descendants of Jan Martense & Dirckien Harmense Boertgens

 Available at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

Jan Martense de Wever (the weaver) was the immigrant ancestor of the Van Alstyne family in America. He and his wife, Derckien Hermanse (also recorded as Harmanse) and at least two children came to New York area from Drenthe Province, Netherlands prior to 1655. 

The Dutch Reformed Church in Meppel, Drenthe where Jan and Dirkje were married, has church records for baptisms and marriages dating back to 1626. 

My search of the unindexed Meppel church records revealed the marriage of Jan and Dirckien. Baptisms for three of their children were also found. 

A 1658 Notarial document in Amsterdam revealed the full name of Dirckien, providing the opportunity to find more records for her ancestry. This book provides details of their ancestors and descendants to 3 generations and includes documents and footnotes with sources.

Don't Miss the New Episode of Historical Niagara

Olive Tree Genealogy was pleased to be asked to participate in yet another episode of Historical Niagara, produced and filmed by Peter Sacco. You can watch this terrific video online at ATTEMPTING TO CONQUER THE GREAT NIAGARA

I talk about my two Peer family daredevil ancestors - Stephen Peer who walked Niagara Falls on a tightrope in the mid 1880s, and his cousin Harmon Peer, who graduated from jumping from ships' masts to jumping from the Suspension Bridge at the Falls in 1879. 

Enjoy this interesting video. Peter does an amazing job of editing all the bits and pieces into a one hour entertaining and informative look back in time.

DNA Sale!

St. Patrick’s Day Sale!

 AncestryDNA will be $40 less on sale for $59 plus tax and shipping

The St. Patrick’s Day Sale will start at midnight EST on Saturday, March 6th, and will end at 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, March 17th.

 

If you haven't yet jumped on to the DNA journey, now's your time. DNA has many uses - you can connect with other cousins, you can discover your ethnic origins, and you can make new discoveries through DNA. I've personally solved a few mysteries, confirmed a very old family rumour, and found two surprise additions to the family tree, and discovered that hubby's great-grandfather was NOT the father of hubby's grandpa.

 

Over the years I've written about my DNA adventures - here are a few for you to read if you wish:

 

DNA Genealogy - Friend or Foe?

DNA Gave My Husband a Completely Different Great Grandfather

Understanding Your DNA Results: Comparison Charts

Update on DNA Testing for Native American Heritage

Familial DNA Testing Used to Solve Cold Cases 

The Massey DNA Connection