Pilgrims of Plymouth

Barbara J. Feldman

The Pilgrims were a English Separatist congregation that emigrated to Holland in 1608 to escape religious persecution. Twelve years later, discouraged by economic conditions, the congregation voted to move again, this time to America. A small ship, the Speedwell, carried them to Southampton, England, where they joined another group of Separatists and finally departed from Plymouth, England aboard the Mayflower in 1620.

Mayflower Families: The Pilgrims

3 stars

Built as a genealogy resource to help site visitors trace their roots back to the Mayflower, Mayflower Families also serves students researching Pilgrims for homework or a school project. In addition to the brief history offered at this page, you’ll find a modern translation of the Mayflower Compact and the Colonial Gazetteer, which offers a unique view of Pilgrim life as it reports colonial events as if they had just happened.

Pilgrim Hall Museum: Pilgrim Story

5 stars

The Pilgrim Hall Museum site has oodles of great educational material. This page is the start of the illustrated kids section which answers questions about the Pilgrims and the natives. “The Pilgrim Story – the hazardous voyage, the 1620 landing, the fearful first winter, the First Thanksgiving at Plymouth – is the treasured heritage of all Americans. This dramatic saga of courage and perseverance has inspired the American people throughout the nation’s history.”

Plimoth Plantation: Who Were the Pilgrims?

5 stars

“The Englishmen who sailed on the Mayflower were a very unusual mixture of people from many different backgrounds. Some came from big cities like London, others came from small towns and villages in the country.” Listed under Kids in the horizontal menu, you’ll find pilgrim coloring pages, recipes for native dishes such as succotash, homework help, and stories told from a kid’s perspective. Homework help includes articles about the Wampanoag natives, the Mayflower, and the first Thanksgiving.

Scholastic: Research Starters: Plymouth Colony

4 stars

Need ideas for a Plymouth Colony research project? This Scholastic site is a great resource, with a glossary, a list of articles from Grolier Online, and topics “to explore that relate to the Plymouth Colony. Looking at the articles, images, and other materials in this Research Starter may give you more ideas.” For further research, there is a resource list of additional websites.

Thanksgiving on the Net: Pilgrims and America’s First Thanksgiving

4 stars

“On Sept. 6, 1620 the Pilgrims set sail for the New World on a ship called the Mayflower. They sailed from Plymouth, England and aboard were 44 Pilgrims, who called themselves the ‘Saints’, and 66 others, whom the Pilgrims called the ‘Strangers.’ The long trip was cold and damp and took 65 days.” In addition to this article about the history of Thanksgiving, this holiday site includes recipes, crafts, coloring pictures, and ideas for Thanksgiving decorations.