Husband's family, not mine. His family was also at Jamestown.

For years I thought my family all came in the 1870s. One very distant ancestor was the descendant of some New Amsterdam residents and some and some Puritans. I was surprised to find I'm descended from Mathers (as are several thousand other Americans) since our family has always identified as rather poor farmers.

My mothers family also came on one of the boats directly after the mayflower. I think it is really cool to have traces back that far.

Anonymous wrote:Did your ancestors have immigration papers?

I don't know what sort of documentation they had! I don't remember who the person was...it could easily have been the guy who swept down the decks. I mean I guess all the white people were "illegals," lol. But I'm super immigration liberal so you won't anger me by suggesting I'm less American or they were illegal or whatever.

And...some people on here are so so predictable! lol

3 direct ancestors of mine traveled on the mayflower; my mother's maiden name is the surname of one of them (so 8 generations of males carrying the name, then my mother). We have actually traced that genealogical line back to the 1400's England. I look forward to visiting the graveyard that still has some of those 600+ year old headstones.

Did your ancestors have immigration papers?

My mom claims that we are related to Mayflower folk, but she lies to seem more DAR-esque than she really is so who knows.

Anonymous wrote:OP, you're not some special snowflake.

Lots of Americans have ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower.

OP: Ha, ha...I knew this post would draw out nasties. Exactly why is stating that I think it's interesting that my family came on the Mayflower threatening to you? I didn't say I was better than anyone, or more American. I just said I think it's interesting that one side of my family came here so long ago.

My father's family has Mayflower descendants and we have found that DH's mother's family are as well.

I married my cousin!

My grandfather traced our family before he died. Our ancestors came in 1620, on the boat after the Mayflower. Our son is named for them. I think it's cool to know that far back in the family, so disregard the pp.

My family came here on boats from Greece in the 1950's and 60's.

Yes, Most of my family came here in the 1600s. It's pretty common in that neck of the New England woods.

OP, you're not some special snowflake.

Lots of Americans have ancestors who arrived on the Mayflower.

We did the research and were pretty psyched to find out all our relative came over after the Civil War, through Ellis Island.

My mother's father's family did.

A family member into researching our family history recently pieced together that we are related to a Mayflower passenger (not sure which one)...I think it's interesting that side of the family left Europe (mainly England) so long ago. Anyone else have family that came here on the Mayflower, or in the 17th century?