Calling all Genea-Musings Fans:
It’s Saturday Night again –
Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:
1) Did one of your ancestors make a momentous life decision but you don’t know how you can tell the story beyond the bare facts? Who, what, when, where and how?
2) This week’s challenge is to ask an artificial intelligence tool to create a realistic family story that might help you understand your ancestor’s life decision and his/her experiences.
My third great grandfather, William G. Harding’s grandfather, William Harding, was living in New York state at the start of the revolutionary war. According to family lore, William became a loyalist when neighbors mistreated his sister-in-law because her husband was missing and believed to be aiding the British in New York City. Thus, William, his wife, Leah (Gillies) along with William’s sister-in-law and all of the children left everything behind as they traveled by foot from around Orange county to New York city. By 1787 William and Leah had settled in a Loyalist community in New Brunswick.
The 1851 census for Kings county, New Brunswick shows WIlliam G. Harding as a 47 year old widower with seven children: Caroline, Abel, Thomas, Abijah, Julia, Isabella and Henry.
In 1860, Wm G Harding was listed on the Black Hawk county, Iowa census as a 54 year old farmer who was born in New Brunswick. Sons Thomas and Henry were living in the household. Family lore indicates the family lived in Racine Wisconsin prior to settlng in Iowa. An 1858 city directory for Racine does list a William G. Harding.
At this point, little is known about the family between the 1851 New Brunswick census and the 1860 Iowa census.
AI Prompt: Using the above information please draft a narrative to explain how William G. Harding might have migrated from New Brunswick to Iowa between 1851 and 1860. Please provide details about each mode of transportation, names of towns they likely departed from and towns they likely arrived in, the length of each segment of travel and any hardships the family likely faced making this move. Also include a section providing possible reasons for the move.
Certainly! Below is a narrative-style migration story that blends known facts about your ancestor William G. Harding with historically plausible travel routes, transportation methods, hardships, and motivations for relocating from New Brunswick to Iowa between 1851 and 1860.
From Loyalist Roots to the American Prairie: The Migration of William G. Harding (1851–1860)
In 1851, William G. Harding was a 47-year-old widower living in Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada. The census shows him caring for seven children: Caroline, Abel, Thomas, Abijah, Julia, Isabella, and Henry. He was the grandson of William Harding, a Loyalist who fled Orange County, New York during the Revolutionary War, abandoning everything to resettle in New Brunswick. That legacy of movement and perseverance would repeat itself in the next generation.
Sometime between 1851 and 1860, William G. Harding and at least some of his children migrated from the coastal woodlands of New Brunswick to the tallgrass prairies of Black Hawk County, Iowa—a journey of more than 1,500 miles through multiple regions, modes of transport, and national boundaries. By 1860, William appeared in the U.S. federal census as a 54-year-old farmer in Iowa, with sons Thomas and Henry still in his household.
Likely Route and Modes of Transportation
While records of the family’s exact journey remain scarce, their migration likely followed a common pattern among eastern Canadians and New Englanders who moved westward in the mid-19th century. The trip would have been a complex multi-stage migration involving land, rail, and water travel.
Stage 1: Departing New Brunswick (ca. 1852–1853)
- Origin: Near Kingston Parish, Kings County, New Brunswick
- Destination: Saint John, a major port city on the Bay of Fundy
- Distance: ~40–60 miles
- Mode: Wagon or horse-drawn cart; possibly on foot
- Duration: 3–5 days
- Hardships: Muddy roads, unpredictable weather, and limited accommodations.
From their rural home, William and his children would have traveled by wagon or on foot to Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city. Here, they likely sold off or packed what few belongings they could carry.
Stage 2: Coastal Voyage to New England (ca. 1853)
- Route: Saint John to Boston, Massachusetts or Portland, Maine
- Distance: ~250–300 miles by sea
- Mode: Coastal schooner or steam packet
- Duration: 3–5 days, depending on weather and ship schedules
- Hardships: Seasickness, cramped conditions, and the threat of stormy waters in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine.
These coastal steamers were common for Loyalist descendants heading south in search of opportunity. Boston and Portland both had rail connections that could take the family westward.
Stage 3: East to Midwest by Train (ca. 1853–1854)
- Route: Boston/Portland → Albany → Buffalo → Detroit → Chicago
- Distance: ~1,000 miles
- Mode: Railroad
- Duration: 1–2 weeks with layovers
- Hardships: Costly fares, long layovers, coal dust, noisy travel, and limited sanitation.
By the early 1850s, a traveler could move by rail from the Northeast to the Midwest via a patchwork of expanding railroads. The Erie Canal may have been used briefly between Albany and Buffalo if rail links were not complete or affordable.
Stage 4: Temporary Residence in Racine, Wisconsin (ca. 1855–1858)
An 1858 Racine city directory lists a William G. Harding, and family tradition holds they lived here for a time.
- Why Racine? It was a booming port and manufacturing hub on Lake Michigan, attracting New Englanders and Canadians alike.
- Likely Activities: Laboring jobs, possibly in carpentry or shipping; education for children; connecting with other settlers from the Northeast.
This temporary stop may have been intended to earn money or test opportunities before continuing westward.
Stage 5: Final Move to Black Hawk County, Iowa (ca. 1858–1860)
- Route: Racine → Galena, Illinois or Dubuque, Iowa via steamship
- Then westward across the prairie by wagon or rail spur to Black Hawk County
- Distance: ~300 miles
- Duration: 1–2 weeks
- Hardships: Prairie weather, spring mud, illness, mechanical breakdowns.
By 1860, William was firmly settled in Iowa, farming with sons Thomas and Henry.
Possible Reasons for the Move
Several factors likely motivated William G. Harding to uproot his family from New Brunswick:
- Land Opportunities: Iowa offered cheap or free farmland under the Preemption Act and later the Homestead Act (1862). For a widower with growing sons, this was an appealing path to economic security.
- Limited Prospects in New Brunswick: Overpopulation in Loyalist settlements and limited arable land made it difficult for second and third generations to thrive.
- Family and Community Networks: Other Loyalist descendants from New Brunswick and New England were moving to the Midwest, offering a network of support.
- Transportation Improvements: Railroads and steamships made westward migration faster and somewhat safer by the 1850s.
Conclusion
The journey of William G. Harding from New Brunswick to Iowa mirrors that of thousands of 19th-century North American families—defined by resilience, faith in the future, and the pursuit of land and stability. Though the specifics may be lost to history, the arc of his migration paints a vivid portrait of frontier determination, and the continuation of a family story that began in Loyalist exile and took root in the American heartland.
Surprised about the overland route, I asked ChatGPT to redo the task.
Can you write a similar narrative that utilizes travel over the great lakes from New Brunswick to Wisconsin?
Below is the response to this second prompt.
Certainly! Below is a revised migration narrative for William G. Harding, focusing on a historically plausible route that makes use of Great Lakes travel—a common path for mid-19th century migrants from Canada’s Atlantic provinces to the American Midwest.
Across the Great Lakes: William G. Harding’s Journey from New Brunswick to Wisconsin (1851–1860)
In 1851, William G. Harding, a 47-year-old widower, was raising seven children in Kings County, New Brunswick. The census listed his children as Caroline, Abel, Thomas, Abijah, Julia, Isabella, and Henry. William had deep Loyalist roots—his grandfather, William Harding, had fled to New Brunswick from Orange County, New York during the Revolutionary War. Now, decades later, William G. Harding would once again uproot his family in search of new opportunities—this time moving westward toward Wisconsin and eventually Iowa.
By 1860, William appears in the Black Hawk County, Iowa census with two of his sons, Thomas and Henry. In the gap between those years, family lore places the Hardings in Racine, Wisconsin, and indeed, an 1858 city directory confirms the presence of a William G. Harding in that city.
So how did a farming family from coastal New Brunswick make the long journey to the Great Lakes frontier? The most likely answer: a multi-stage migration that utilized maritime shipping routes through the St. Lawrence River and across the Great Lakes.
A Likely Route West by Water and Rail
Stage 1: Departure from Kings County to Saint John, New Brunswick
- Distance: 40–60 miles
- Mode: Wagon or cart
- Duration: 3–4 days
- Hardships: Spring mud, rough roads, and limited resources.
Leaving their rural community, the Harding family would travel southward to Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest seaport. There, they likely sold off possessions, purchased passage, and joined other emigrants headed west.
Stage 2: Saint John to Quebec via Coastal and River Vessel
- Route: Coastal steamer up the Bay of Fundy, around the tip of Nova Scotia, and into the St. Lawrence River, arriving at Quebec City
- Distance: ~700 nautical miles
- Mode: Steamship or sailing vessel
- Duration: 5–10 days, depending on weather
- Hardships: Seasickness, cold Atlantic conditions, limited privacy, and exposure to illness.
This was the standard outbound route for many Maritime families heading toward central Canada or the U.S. Midwest.
Stage 3: Quebec to Montreal by River Steamer
- Distance: ~160 miles
- Mode: St. Lawrence River steamer
- Duration: 2–3 days
- Stops: Likely at Trois-Rivières and other river towns
- Hardships: Crowded decks and port delays.
Once in Montreal, the family would connect with a rapidly developing transport system linking Canada to the American frontier.
Stage 4: Montreal to Kingston to Toronto to Georgian Bay (Lake Ontario travel)
- Route: Montreal → Kingston → Toronto → Collingwood or Owen Sound
- Distance: ~400 miles
- Mode: Lake Ontario steamer, then overland or rail to Lake Huron
- Duration: 4–6 days total
- Hardships: Storms, mechanical delays, and logistical complexities with children in tow.
Toronto served as a key launching point for westward travel into the interior via the Great Lakes network.
Stage 5: Across the Great Lakes to Racine, Wisconsin
- Route: Lake Huron → Lake Michigan → Racine, WI
- Possible Ports of Call: Sarnia, Mackinac Island, Milwaukee
- Distance: ~500–600 miles by water
- Mode: Steamship
- Duration: 4–7 days
- Hardships: Exposure to early/late-season storms, rationed meals, risk of disease on board.
By the 1850s, steamships frequently ran from Georgian Bay across Lakes Huron and Michigan to key Midwestern ports, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Racine.
Temporary Residence in Racine (ca. 1855–1859)
Records indicate William G. Harding lived in Racine by 1858. This city on the western shore of Lake Michigan was booming with immigrants and manufacturing jobs. It would have offered temporary work, schooling for children, and contact with other New Englanders and Loyalist descendants.
Final Leg: Racine to Black Hawk County, Iowa (ca. 1859–1860)
- Route: Overland by wagon or rail to Dubuque, then west to Waterloo or Cedar Falls
- Distance: ~250 miles
- Mode: Wagon, rail, or riverboat on the Mississippi
- Duration: 1–2 weeks
- Hardships: Spring flooding, limited waystations, and unpredictable prairie weather.
By the time of the 1860 census, William had transitioned from maritime traveler to prairie farmer. He was living in Iowa with his sons Thomas and Henry, starting over once again.
Possible Motivations for the Move
- Land Opportunities: Iowa’s rich farmland and land incentives were major draws.
- Economic Hardship in New Brunswick: Overcrowding and lack of opportunity in Loyalist settlements pushed families westward.
- Family Advancement: William’s children were reaching adulthood—new land offered a future for the next generation.
- Chain Migration: Other Maritimers and former Loyalist families were making the same move to Wisconsin and Iowa.
- Transportation Improvements: The rise of steam travel and improved navigation through the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes made the Midwest more accessible.
Conclusion
Though no journal or passenger list survives to confirm each step, the migration of William G. Harding from New Brunswick to Iowa likely followed the natural arteries of 19th-century movement: the rivers and lakes that connected the old world to the new frontier. His journey through the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, and into the heart of the American Midwest echoes the path of countless Loyalist descendants who traded the rocky Atlantic coasts for prairie winds and promise.
Both responses are plausible. Since other members of the family are also living in Racine, Wisconsin, my theory is that they traveled across the Great Lakes. Using that route, I asked ChatGPT about the cost of the trip and got the following response.
Estimated Cost of the Harding Family’s Journey via the Great Lakes (ca. 1853–1858)
Traveling from Kings County, New Brunswick to Racine, Wisconsin, William G. Harding and his seven children likely followed a common route used by many Maritime families. Based on mid-19th-century transportation costs, here’s an estimate of the expenses for the journey:
| Travel Segment | Mode | Distance | Est. Cost per Person | Family Total (8 people) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings County to Saint John, NB | Wagon or cart hire | ~50 mi | ~$0.50 | $4.00 |
| Saint John to Quebec (coastal steamer) | Steamship | ~700 mi | $5.00 adult, $3.00 child | $28.00 |
| Quebec to Montreal (river steamer) | Steamboat | ~160 mi | $1.50 adult, $1.00 child | $10.00 |
| Montreal to Toronto (steamer + rail) | Lake Ontario + train | ~400 mi | $3.00 adult, $2.00 child | $20.00 |
| Toronto to Racine via Great Lakes | Steamship | ~600 mi | $6.00 adult, $4.00 child | $38.00 |
| Meals & lodging en route (approx. 3–4 weeks) | Inns, ship meals | – | ~$0.25/day/person | $42.00 |
🟡 Total Estimated Cost (in 1850s dollars): ~$142.00
💲 What Would That Be Today?
Using historical inflation estimates, $142 in the 1850s equals approximately $5,300 to $5,800 in today’s currency.
Conclusion
This exercise in using artificial intelligence to craft a historically plausible migration story gave me new perspective on the life of my 3rd great-grandfather, William G. Harding. While the details of his journey from New Brunswick to Iowa may never be fully documented, combining family lore, historical records, and period-accurate travel routes helped me better imagine the motivations, hardships, and resilience behind his move.
By asking AI to fill in the narrative gaps with realistic possibilities grounded in historical context, I gained not only a deeper appreciation for my ancestor’s life choices—but also a renewed understanding of how to blend research and storytelling in family history.
If you haven’t tried using an AI tool to explore your ancestor’s world, I encourage you to take this week’s challenge. You may be surprised at the insights—and empathy—it can spark.