The Brookses originally came over in the 1630s, but almost everyone else immigrated in the 1880s. The most interesting story, I think, is on my wife's side - she had a great-uncle Arthur who was employed by the White Star Line as a violinist. He was signed on to the Titanic, but traded his spot at the last minute to a friend who needed the billet. He later jumped ship in New York...an illegal immigrant, eh?