by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan, Ph.D.
In tracking a family's movements from place to place, what family historian has not wondered why his or her family moved to that particular town in Illinois or Oklahoma or California at that particular time? We all wonder, justifiably, what could possibly motivate a family to make such a monumental, expensive, physically arduous, and potentially dangerous journey. While the motivations of individuals or families can rarely be known for certain, we can surmise a great deal from studying the large migration trends throughout history.
The great westward migration in the United States was accomplished over time and in many stages. One of the first migration routes was over the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains into Kentucky and Tennessee. Later, the frontier pushed farther west to the plains, and then to the West Coast.
As our pioneer families packed their worldly belongings and bid farewell to friends and kin, they were not only making a very personal decision, but they were also participating in a massive social movement. Frontier theorists believe that the migrations into Kentucky exemplify the complexity of population movements and social change. Therefore, the settlement of Kentucky represents a fascinating and unique opportunity to study in a microcosm the westward movement in United States history. An exploration of this particular westward movement can tell us about the migration experiences of our ancestors—whether they migrated to Kentucky or to the West Coast...
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