Quote:

locals in such areas as northern Ohio and Michigan traditionally spoke precise English because they wanted to distinguish themselves from the speakers of Southern dialects in their states



My patrilinear side of the family came from England via Kentucky and Indiana and moved to Michigan to work in the auto industry. My matrilinear side of the family emigrated from the Connecticut River Valley after the Civil War. My Dad's side of the family does speak with more of a hillbilly accent and my Mom's side is a bit more refined but both Mom and Dad twang pure hillbilly when they come back from spending the winter with their bluegrass playing buddies.