United States of America does not exist before 1776
More than often, I have seen several Public Member Trees that have ancestors born in the 18th century North America. Upon examining their places of birth based on their estimated or actual dates of birth, the words, "United States", "United States of America" or "USA" were applied to those who were born BEFORE 1776, or more specifically, July 4, 1776.
The United States of America does not exist BEFORE 1776 (or July 4, 1776, to be exact). It was 13 original colonies by its states' names. When the Declaration of Independence was announced, the United States of America came to being ("'unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America' adopted by the 'Representatives of the united States of America" on July 4, 1776'.").
I would like to propose to members not to include the "USA, United States of America, or United States" to those who were born anytime before 1776 based on their places of birth in one of those 13 colonial states. You can place them to those who were born in around 1776 and thereafter.
For example: John Smith, b. abt 1773, pl. Yorktown, Westchester, New York.
OR...
Jane Smith b. 4 Jun 1776, pl. Queens County, New York; d. abt 1820, pl. Long Island, New York, USA (or type in full name if you prefer).
Between 1607 and 2nd/4th of July of 1776, there never has been any designated name of the United States of America ever recorded or documented to regard a modern nation with an existing federal government at all.
I hope this suggestion can help you all.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Thank you for posting this. It drives me nuts when helping people do family research before 1776. Thanks again
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Although I don't seem to have any relatives born in any ofthe states, I think they all immigrated, but I totally agree to your statement.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Actually, the term United STATES of America was not applied until 1783 when the Articles of Confederation were ratified. The term UNITED States of America did not apply until 1788 when the US Constitution was ratified. (It was signed on Sept 7, 1787) George Washington became the first president under the constituion in March of 1789. The first president under the articles was John Hanson. I recommend the book "Miracle at Philadelphia" for the story of the writing of the constitution. Happy reading.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
I have always used the name of the state or colony. Or in the case of Texas, The Republic of Texas, if falling in those years.
Indeed I have seen several which drive me crazy, such as "immigrated to the United States in 1720".
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Wow, I now remember a few instances where I've read that someone used U.S., or United States before 1776 or even 1784(whatever year that was). I never really paid much attention. Now I will.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
I studied a lot of early American history, whereas the United States didn't exist the country and colony was still refered to as America, and the people we called Americans. Distinctly different from Europeans.
But hey, what do I know.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Actually, the term The UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was used in the Declaration of Independence, which was in 1776. Being as there WAS an offical government (the Articles of Confederation was in the process of being drafted and again the term the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was used) at that time and that government called themselves the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, I do not believe we need to wait before we call ourselves what our founding fathers called themselves.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
Actually, I'm a lot more bothered by members who insist on entering a birthplace of Massachusetts or Rhode Island for ancestors born before 1620. Clearly, they were not born here. The Pilgrims hadn't even landed in Plymouth yet!
For example: John Smith was NOT born in Scituate, Plymouth, Mass. in 1598. He may have died here, but he was born in England. So, please go through your trees, check your dates and make corrections to the birthplaces, if necessary.
Thanks for listening.
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Re: United States of America does not exist before 1776
A very good point, there! :)
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