Noticeable Trends in Family History

There were some trends that really stood out as I completed the Wellons/Wyant family history, covering a time span from the late 1700’s to the late 1970’s. The trends outlined below are not necessarily in chronological order.

The industrialization of America is fully illustrated by our family history. From almost complete reliance on farming to almost complete reliance on mechanical skilled trades and manufacturing, the Wellons and Wyant clans survived the change really well. Our ancestors ended up in the right place (Anderson, Indiana) at the right time (early 1900’s).

The advent in birth control methods, first with surgical sterilization, and then with the birth control pill and other methods, changed everything. Family size dropped drastically over the course of the 1900’s. Along with this, economic wealth was not divided into ever smaller portions. Almost all of our early ancestors at least owned farm land and a home. But when you have 8-15 kids, there is nothing to inherit or pass on the the next generation. And it’s hard to build wealth when supporting so many people. America, unlike England, did not practice primogeniture, where the oldest child inherited the bulk of any wealth. Eventually, women started working outside the home, although this really didn’t happen until the baby boom generation.

The changes in transportation were drastic, from relying on horse power, to the development of trains, to the development of autos and air travel, folks could move greater distances and more quickly. In some ways however, the nomadic trend in our family branches defied this trend. Our families moved a lot and long distances when horses powered it all, mainly due to the availability of free or really cheap land as Americans drove the Native-Americans west. Although technically purchased by the federal government from the Indians, the deals were anything but fair to the sellers.

Eventually, family members started attending high school and even graduating. Although the move to college education didn’t happen until the 1970’s and later, it has mirrored national trends. Formal education was not required for farming in the early years or for even for skilled trade work and other manufacturing jobs, although some advanced mathematics was required and received as part of apprenticeships.

One thing about health stands out. The family was lucky in that there were a few deaths in infancy, but not nearly what you might expect given the level of medical knowledge in the period before World War II. Most children in our family survived and many lived long lives. There was almost a decline in the mid-1900’s as smoking contributed to early deaths. However, most folks reached middle age and senior status before smoking related diseases killed them. Maternal deaths appear to happen, but again not as frequently as you might expect.