How do I trace an ancestor back to England?

Question

I have discovered an ancestor named Robert Stillwater Harrison who was born in England about 1840. I believe he settled around Virginia. I have no idea when he came over (as an infant or as an adult). How do I begin finding out how and when he came over and where my English ancestors are?

Answer 1

you could possibly start with his death certificate, property taxes, land deeds, the US Census rolls, war records, immigrant ship passenger lists, chances are if he was around during the civil war it'll be hard to track him down as VA was split, and who knows where he'd have scattered to afterward its possible his name is in the records for ellis island

Answer 2

There is no one with the middle name of Stillwater on the 1841 & 1851 census for England and Wales - the IGI - Genes-reunited or Migration and Passport Registers on findmypast.

Could it be that Stillwater was a nickname ? it doesn't sound very English and there are literally hundreds of just 'Robert Harrisons' born about 1840 +/- in the UK.

If you found your Robert on a USA census, try looking at previous and later census you may be lucky to find the County where he was born in the UK.

Searching the Ellis Island website may turn something up, or trying for his death certificate (I'm not sure how detailed they are in USA).

Do you have any family names such as parents or siblings ?

Answer 3

How did you discover your ancestor?

Have you traced your family back that far?

Do you have any more clues, such as siblings and parents?