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== Historical Background == | == Historical Background == | ||
The construction of the Erie Canal began in '''1817''' and in 1819 the first 15-mile (24 km) section, Rome to Utica opened. As more Irish laborers arrived the pace of construction picked up and overcame significant barriers. For example, during summer construction in a marsh, 1,000 workers died of swamp fever, so survivors were moved to another part of the canal until winter when it was safer to work in the frozen marsh. Sections of the canal opened as follows: | [[New York, United States Genealogy|The]] construction of the Erie Canal began in '''1817''' and in 1819 the first 15-mile (24 km) section, Rome to Utica opened. As more Irish laborers arrived the pace of construction picked up and overcame significant barriers. For example, during summer construction in a marsh, 1,000 workers died of swamp fever, so survivors were moved to another part of the canal until winter when it was safer to work in the frozen marsh. Sections of the canal opened as follows: | ||
[[Image:Erie Canal Lock 32.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Erie Canal Lock 32.jpg]]1819 Rome to Utica 1820 Utica to Syracuse 1823 Brockport to Albany (Champlain_Canal connecting the Hudson River to Lake Champlain was completed at the same time) 1824 Lockport locks 1825 Onondago Ridge finishing the entire canal. The Erie Canal contributed to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. It increased trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabling migration to the West. New ethnic Irish communities formed in towns along the canal, as Irish immigrants were a large portion of labor force involved in its construction[1].[2]{{FHL|181733|title-disp=Family History Library Catalog}} | [[Image:Erie Canal Lock 32.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Erie Canal Lock 32.jpg]]1819 Rome to Utica 1820 Utica to Syracuse 1823 Brockport to Albany ([[Champlain_Canal]] connecting the Hudson River to Lake Champlain was completed at the same time) 1824 Lockport locks 1825 Onondago Ridge finishing the entire canal. The Erie Canal contributed to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. It increased trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabling migration to the West. New ethnic Irish communities formed in towns along the canal, as Irish immigrants were a large portion of labor force involved in its construction[1].[2]{{FHL|181733|title-disp=Family History Library Catalog}} | ||
The '''Erie Canal''' in [[New York|New York]] allowed boats from [[New York City, New York|New York City]] on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River Hudson River ]to reach rural upstate [[New York Genealogy|New York]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie Lake Erie]. Eventually the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes Great Lakes ]were also connected to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_River Ohio River] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River Mississippi River] systems by other canals. As canals developed in America settlers were attracted to nearby communities because the canals provided access to markets. They could sell their products at distant markets, and buy products made far away. If an ancestor settled near a canal, you may be able to trace back to a place of origin on a connecting waterway. | The '''Erie Canal''' in [[New York|New York]] allowed boats from [[New York City, New York|New York City]] on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River Hudson River ]to reach rural upstate [[New York Genealogy|New York]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Erie Lake Erie]. Eventually the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes Great Lakes ]were also connected to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_River Ohio River] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River Mississippi River] systems by other canals. As canals developed in America settlers were attracted to nearby communities because the canals provided access to markets. They could sell their products at distant markets, and buy products made far away. If an ancestor settled near a canal, you may be able to trace back to a place of origin on a connecting waterway. | ||