I’ve traced my family tree all the way back to 1700 in South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. Leith was a bustling port and the main gateway for Scotland’s trade. Back then, the economy was all about the sea. People worked on ships, imported and exported goods, built ships, fished, and even whaled. There were also industries like timber, coal, and rope making. Later, new businesses like Leith Sugar boiling and Rum distilling started to connect with these trades. Despite all the industrial growth, farming remained important. People used the land to grow oats and barley right within the town boundaries. Some folks even mixed farming with other sources of income.
When it came to living conditions, housing was a real mixed bag. The wealthy had fancy homes, while the poor lived in cramped quarters. Waste was often thrown out on the streets, and many streets were noisy and dirty. The roads were in poor condition, with holes and ruts that damaged goods during transportation. Having the lack of good roads meant trade between areas were difficult.
The Church shaping more than Faith.
The church elders made sure the streets were clear of people by 10 pm. They acted like police, handling complaints, investigating scandals, and patrolling markets. They also kept the peace and stopped violence and quarrels.
A lot of the records kept by the church is what we have today to find our lost relatives. They kept pages of their congregation listing of births, christenings, marriages, and deaths.
Mitchell is a name of Scottish origin. It’s not part of any single Scottish clan, but it’s a well-known surname with its own tartan. It’s likely a widespread surname with Norman roots – Viking settlers from Scandinavia. There’s evidence of early presence in medieval records. It’s the 15th most common name in the world. The Mitchells might have moved from Leith, to BallyBay in Ireland, for economic reasons. The linen industry and agriculture were thriving there. BallyBay was a center for linen production with a large weekly market and supported fairs for various agricultural goods and horses. The area was prosperous with a strong market for farming products like corn, pork, and cattle. The market was well-established and a major attraction for merchants, traders, and those looking to sell goods or agricultural produce.
David Mitchell jr. (David Mitchell and his wife Elizabeth Thompson – Mitchell brought their entire family over at the same time in 1853. The family took a steamer named the Rockaway leaving the departmental port of Liverpool, England, on March 6, 1852. They arrived at the Port in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 25, 1852.
To get to Eden Prairie, the family took the Mississippi River in a smaller steamer to Eden Prairie. Where a ferry took them across from Shakopee to Eden Prairie. Getting to Eden Prairie required walking, using a cart pulled by ox or horse. These roads were from trails used by the Indians who just signed an agreement to leave the land, and pushing themselves West.
