> Thanks!
There were, indeed, several major migrations to Ohio
from PA and VA prior to 1820. The first was stimulated
by "bounty lands" granted for service in the Revolutionary
War. Some of this land was located in the Northwest
Territory along the banks of the Ohio River and was
opened for settlement in 1783. Many potential settlers
were, however, "discouraged" by Indian raids and other
frontier hardships, so early settlements were sparse.
By 1800, the areas around Zanesville, Cincinnati, and,
in particular, Marietta were thriving. In addition,
the Western Reserve (near Lake Erie) was settled by
migrants from Connecticut. By 1803, the population was
large enough and stable enough for Ohio to become a
new state. The major migration occured just before and
just after the War of 1812 when the western borders
were "stabilized". Bounty Land and Marietta Land records
would be a good place to start an early Ohio search.

Jane