FALL 2019 DISCUSSION GROUP
“They Went Where the Work Was”
Following migration patterns evolving through
changing patterns of job development
October 22 – 12:00-1:00 – Introduction: The Great Western Iron Works, later, The Brady’s Bend Iron Works (1839-1874) – where did their 1500 employees come from and where did they go when the blast furnaces closed? 1:00-2:00 – Discussion of organizational structure for the next 5 weeks that will best meet the needs of those attending.
October 29 – 12:00-1:00 – examining the work/careers/ jobs of our ancestors 1:00-2:00 - agriculture
November 05 – 12:00-1:00 – mining & oil 1:00-2:00 – manufacturing (heavy industry, textile mills, etc.)
November 12 – 12:00-1:00 – ship building 1:00-2:00 – skilled trades (printers, stonemasons, carpenters, etc)
November 19 – 12:00-1:00 – service industries 1:00 – 2:00 - transportation
November 26 – 12:00-1:00 – merchants 1:00-2:00 – professions
Unless you can claim a Native American heritage, your ancestors had to have come here from another country. This session of Discussion Group is looking at the skills and trades those individuals brought with them, and how and where they applied them once they got to these shores. Our focus is on the 18th and 19th centuries’ immigrants; why and how they moved from place to place to find work.
