If you’re feeling all at sea (especially when you try to navigate downtown Sarasota after a bit of an absence), take heart in this demographic.

94 Floridians, as of the 1880 census,

listed their birthplace as “at sea.”

Of course, our most famous local resident, Ocean Hansen, was born there… at sea that is, not downtown… in 1860. Maybe she started a trend of maritime birthings?

Learn more:

Interesting sidenote: Did you know that immigration was controlled by the states, not the Federal government, prior to 1875? “After certain states passed immigration laws following the Civil War, the Supreme Court in 1875 declared regulation of immigration a federal responsibility” as discussed here.

More than 70 percent of all immigrants … entered through New York City, which came to be known as the “Golden Door.” Throughout the late 1800s, most immigrants arriving in New York entered at the Castle Garden depot near the tip of Manhattan. (What about Ellis Island?)

Here’s a fun infographic about migration into Florida as seen through the decades. More on immigration into Florida.

More about not just Ocean Hansen and her family, but all of Siesta Key, is in An Illustrated History of Siesta Key. Buy at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Bookstore 1 right here in Sarasota.