can you clarify, when you get a chance to view your spreadsheets,
Only in the negative. If it has happened (I'm sure it has, though with a niggling doubt), it's on a game prior to the 40d or win40d11 ones that I have kept sufficient records about for.
Though I didn't check the standard game log files, which contain seasonal changes, immigration waves (or lack thereof, where there could have been) and trading opportunities received or lost), I just realised, so I might be able to dig it up.
if you are getting an elven caravan before the first dwarven one? i've never got a caravan before that first autumn dwarven one, and then usually elven in the next spring, human in the next summer.
You're making me doubt myself, but I remain more certain of this than I currently am regarding immigration. For what that's worth.
i'm not sure if caravans have to arrive in set seasons (elven - spring, human - summer, dwarven - autumn) but your response seemed to imply getting an elven caravan before the first dwarven one, and also immigrants....is this the case?
Seasonal adherance: yes; Pre-Dwarven trading (i.e. spring/summer of first year) almost certain; Pre-Dwarven immigrants: unproven, and perhaps it's best you stay sceptical for the time being, and the OP is probably best off forgetting I said anything, to avoid confusion. (If it happens, it's linked with a lot of craft-dumping, which is a starting direction that's probably not too efficient when learning to survive the first few seasons of the game.)