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Six Immigration Stories Across Four Centuries
45 immigrant ancestors from 15 foreign countries
1580s–1880s
The ancestors in the Noel McMichael Collection didn't arrive as a single wave—they came across four centuries, from fifteen countries, driven by vastly different circumstances. These six narratives trace the distinct threads that converged to create this American family: Dutch merchants seeking New World trade, English colonists building new societies, French Protestants fleeing persecution, Celtic communities escaping poverty, Norwegian farmers fleeing overpopulation, and Prussian-German families pursuing opportunity.
Each immigration story connects to specific grandparents: Lenore Arnett Young's line carries the most diverse heritage (24 immigrants), while Norrine Rambaud McMichael's line brings the most recent French connection (her father Jean arrived in 1880), and James Doby Young's line shows the convergence of immigrant and colonial American roots.
1604–1880 • 5 IMMIGRANTS
From Huguenot persecution to Belle Époque opportunity. Three centuries of French migration, including Jean Rambaud who arrived in 1880 and became Norrine's father.
Connects to: Lenore (3), Norrine (2)
1615–1668 • 4 IMMIGRANTS
From Aten to Van Dyke: New Amsterdam pioneers and the transformation of a family name. Dutch settlers who built colonies and adapted through English conquest.
Connects to: Lenore (3)
1819–1841 • 3 IMMIGRANTS
Post-Napoleonic Prussia to Texas: Immigrant ambition meets colonial American roots. The dual heritage foundation of James Doby Young's family line.
Connects to: James (3)
1580–1794 • 15 IMMIGRANTS
214 years of continuous English immigration from Jamestown to Revolution. The largest group and longest timespan, establishing colonial foundations that produced Revolutionary War patriots.
Connects to: Lenore (14), Brad (1)
1637–1832 • 8 IMMIGRANTS
Two waves: Ulster Scots fleeing persecution (1637-1741) and Irish families escaping Famine-era hardship (1830-1832). A cross-grandparent story spanning three family lines.
Connects to: Lenore (4), James (2), Brad (2)
1834–1843 • 2 IMMIGRANTS
From the farms of Skogn, Nord-Trøndelag to "Norwegian America" in Minnesota. The Hove and Stavlo families' journey from coastal Norway to Hennepin County during the great Norwegian exodus of the 1860s.
Connects to: Brad (through mother Dora Hove)
In addition to these 43 foreign immigrants, the Noel McMichael Collection includes 33 colonial-era ancestors who were born in British colonies before 1776. They didn't immigrate to America—they became Americans through the Revolutionary War and independence.
These colonial ancestors are documented in the Revolutionary War section, where their service in creating the United States is honored. Their story is one of transformation rather than migration: from British colonial subjects to American citizens through revolutionary action.
43
Foreign Immigrants
15
Countries of Origin
300
Years of Migration
5
Immigration Narratives
PLUS
33 Colonial-Era Ancestors
Who became Americans through the Revolutionary War