My paternal ancestor is documented to have come to America in 1616 in Elizabeth City NC . . . he preceded the Pilgrims by five years. I was amazed when I found that out about four years ago. My Dad growing up in southwest Georgia in humble/ poor surroundings, I just assumed we came over with Oglethorpe’s crooks.
My paternal ancestor is listed on the ship’s manifest of HMS Godspeed, one of the 3 ships to bring the 1607 settlers to Jamestown Virginia. My cousin Alex in Tennessee is the keeper of the family bible that my ancestor brought with him. The last 50-60 pages of the bible were blank sheets intended for births, deaths and marriages. Some fool decided to stop writing new entries in the 1880s, so nothing has been filled out since. Luckily my grandfather parents are listed there. My great grandfather was born about 8 years before the Civil War.
I have actually been aboard the Godspeed, although 2/3 of it is now restoration. I was amazed how small it was.