The earliest settlers in the Mahoning Valley came mainly from Connecticut, New York state, and western Pennsylvania.  Settlers of English origin dominated early cultural and religious institutions (like churches and schools) in the northern area - Trumbull and Portage Counties and east to the Beaver River. German and Swiss immigrants settled in the southern part of the watershed–Columbiana and south to the Ohio River.

During the 1820s, the Irish population increased as farming spread and canals began to be built.  Many Welsh and German immigrants came to the Valley after coal mines started operating in the 1840’s.  A Jewish community was established after 1850 and organized the Rodef Sholem congregation in Youngstown.  The many political upheavals in Europe meant immigrants from specific areas were coming over in waves as new areas opened in the United States for settlement.

The 1850 census recorded 90 African Americans in Youngstown. African Americans came to the Mahoning Valley as early as 1806, and families began arriving in the 1830s.   There was also a smattering of Native Americans -probably Delaware or Iroquois- who stayed behind when their tribes migrated west.  By 1831, there were only 2,000 Indians left in the entire state of Ohio.

Why would each new group want its own church and school?  What is the difference between a migrant, an immigrant and an emigrant?  Where would you like to immigrate, and why?  For a better look at these primary documents, go to www.mahoninghistory.org.  Under Education, click on ‘What Do You Know’ for a list of articles.  Then click on the embedded images in the articles for downloadable files with transcriptions.

Click Here for Other Activities