I’m currently working on a family of immigrants to the US in the 1860 where several siblings immigrate over time and settle in the same general area–at least initially. One single man came first and eventually more members of the family streamed over as time went on.
The phrase “chain migration” is sometimes used for this situation, but I’ve decided to stop using that phrase because it sounds like “migration in chains” which is a typical referenced to forced migration via slavery. And…I just don’t think that the chain metaphor works.
After struggling to find a term for family members who migrate over time, I’ve decided to refer to it as a migration stream. The stream metaphor I think is more fitting and also, given that literal streams have tribituaries and the like, better represents the variations that sometimes takes place.
Don’t let the water reference fool you: streams of migration don’t require an actual pond crossing. Migration streams took place within a country as well. It certainly did with my families from Virginia, into Kentucky, and eventually Indiana and Missouri. People often migrated where they had connections–even if they didn’t take a literal stream or waterway to get there.
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