Germans to America's Midwest, 1848-1900

Over 46 million Americans have some German ancestry. The largest German
immigration wave to America was 1848-1900, and the majority of those that
came then settled in America’s Midwest. This presentation will examine the
reasons why so many Germans were leaving their homeland during this period
as well as why so many settled in America’s Midwest. In addition, the
presentation will cover:

• German immigration trends

• Ports of departure and arrival

• Midwest German hotspots

• Cultural influences brought to the Midwest

• Top sites for researching your German ancestors

About the Speaker

Scott Norrick’s passion is connecting people to their past. While finding names, dates, and places is a start, Scott enjoys helping others discover the stories that defined our ancestors’ lives. He does this by assisting others with breaking down their genealogical brick walls and by helping them document the rich stories of their family history.

Scott's areas of expertise include research in the American Midwest along with the immigration to the Midwest from Britain, Ireland, and Germanic countries. With over 30 years of family history research experience, he assists others on their genealogy journey through his company, Ancestral Past. He has presented to dozens of genealogical societies, history centers, libraries, and to the Association of Professional Genealogists.