The Preston Genealogy
Preston Oakley
Durfer Simons
Hendricks Hess
The
Preston family tree spans some 230 years and over 10 generations in the
Americas. My ancestors are said to have arrived on the third trip of
the Mayflower to the New World. There was indeed a Preston aboard, but
I have not yet confirmed the lineage link. I have no reason to doubt
the information is true but, it is difficult to find solid evidence.
There are estimated to be somewhere around 50,000 Prestons in the United States.
My
grandfather's (Oakley L. Preston Sr.) branch of the name has twenty two
offspring in the four following generations. Adding somewhere around
fifteen spouses and including the grandparents results in a total of
about 38 family members. The family has produced fourteen girls and
eight boys. That's an almost two to one ratio. Of those 8 males, two
died in early childhood, two were children of females and only three
had Preston surnames. Of those three, only one produced male offspring.
As a result, this Preston branch fades from view in the next couple of
decades with my and my brother's deaths. Grandfather's ancestors
will continue, of course, but this branch of the Preston name will die out.
Updated 9/25/9 RLP