The World That Was . . . America was defined by the interactions between people who left an "Old World", and the people and environment that they encountered in this "New World". Our ancestors held beliefs and displayed behaviors based on a world, and a world-view, much different than we know today. It was different in 1492 than it was in 1607; and different still, in 1776 or the mid-1800's. In developing my family history, it has been important for me to integrate as much information as possible about the geographic, political, and social environment that existed in their time, and to try to appreciate their conflicts, choices and lives in that context.

A View of Their World:

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A View of Their World:

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Why There?

Have you ever looked at some of the locations that these colonists chose and wondered "WHY THERE" ? Jamestown was located near a swamp in 1607, a full-day's sail up a river with a swift current; Charles Towne, built on the Cape Fear River in 1665 was easily 30 miles from open water; Charleston, seat of the Carolina Colony in 1670, was built on low-land, 20 miles inland from the Atlantic coast, and also enjoys a swift current. The "Instructions To Colonists" prepared by the London Company for the men founding Jamestown gives us important insight into their concerns and values ! BACK TO TOP