1. TRACING
MIGRATION
TRAILS
PRESENTED BY MATT HISE

2. WHY ARE WE HERE?
To explore the migration trails of your
ancestors using the National
Geographic Giant Traveling Map

3. HOW DO WE DO IT?
As there are many different migration trails, the
trick is to be familiar with which ones your
ancestors might have traveled
The most prominent trails for this area; the Full
Line Road, and the Natchez Trace, are indicated on
the map already
If there are other trails that you are interested in,
please refer to the migration trails map
• A laptop is set up as well to zoom in on various
counties and parishes

4. M
A
P
K
E
Y

5. NATCHEZ TRACE
• The Natchez Trace
started as a footpath
before 1742 to
connect Nashville,
Tennessee with
Natchez, Mississippi.
• This sunken section is
near Port Gibson,
Mississippi.

6. NATCHEZ TRACE
Original trace south to north:
• Natchez, Adams, Mississippi
• Port Gibson, Claiborne, Mississippi
• Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi
• Williamsville, Attala, Mississippi
• Tupelo, Lee, Mississippi
• Tishomingo, Tishomingo, Mississippi
• Florence, Lauderdale, Alabama
• Collinwood, Wayne, Tennessee
• Duck River, Hickman, Tennessee
• Leipers Fork, Williamson, Tennessee
• Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee

7. FALL LINE ROAD
• At the southeastern edge of the Piedmont is
the (water)fall line, where rivers drop to the
coastal plain.
• Towns grew at the fall line because cargo
on boats had to be portaged around the
waterfalls which also served as an
important early source of water power.
• Mills built to harness this resource
encouraged the growth of towns.
• The larger rivers were navigable from the
ocean up to the fall line, providing a trade
route for those mill towns.
• The Fall Line Road (or Southern Road) was
the road built to connect most of those
growing mill towns.
• As roads developed in America settlers
were attracted to nearby communities
because the roads provided access to
markets. They could sell their products at
distant markets, and buy products made far
away. If an ancestor settled near a road, you
may be able to trace back to a place of
origin on a connecting highway.

8. FALL LINE ROAD
Towns on the Fall Line (Northeast to Southwest)
• Trenton, NJ: Delaware R.
• Philadelphia, PA: Schuylkill R.
• Wilmington, DE: Brandywine Creek
• Baltimore, MD: Patapsco R.
• Georgetown, DC: Potomac R.
• Fredericksburg, VA: Rappahannock R.
• Richmond, VA: James R.
• Petersburg, VA: Appomattox R.
• Roanoke Rapids, NC: Roanoke R.
• Smithfield, NC: Neuse R.
• Fayetteville, NC: Cape Fear R.
• Cheraw, SC: Pee Dee R.
• Camden, SC: Wateree R.
• Columbia, SC: Congaree R.
• Augusta, GA: Savannah R.
• Milledgeville, GA: Oconee R.
• Macon, GA: Ocmulgee R.
• Columbus, GA: Chattahoochee R.
• Tallassee, AL: Tallapoosa R.
• Wetumpka, AL: Coosa R.

9. RULES OF THE MAP
•No shoes
•No writing utensils