Following the "discovery" of  the new land, people began a migration to what is now New York State for many reasons.  Some came to trade furs, others came for religious freedom, and still others came to have the opportunity to own their own property.  Each group brought along their own culture.  Most of the first settlements were along rivers and waterways, near the present day cities of New York and Albany.

     The following is a table to help you understand which countries had more than one name, and what the nationality is called.

The first country that had many people come here was the Netherlands.   Because Henry Hudson sailed for the Dutch, he claimed the land for them.  The first people came over to trade furs with the Native Americans and mainly settled in the Albany area.  The first Dutch settlers came in 1624 and named it New Netherlands.

     In 1685 a group of French Huguenots arrived in NY.  Their religion was Protestant, and they came here because they were not allowed to practice that religion in their native country, France.  Their influence was mainly in northern New York and along the Hudson River.    

 The first people from England, mainly settled in New England and in Virginia, where there were English controlled  settlements.  There were however, always some English-speaking people in New Netherlands.

In 1710 many people from Germany migrated to the area and lived along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.

Definitions

migration- the process of people moving from one place to another with the intent of staying there for a short time or permanently

culture- the way of life of a people, including their customs, beliefs, and language

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