There were many reasons why families in the 19th century chose to emigrate to Australia. Of course, in the early days of Australian settlement, many immigrants didn’t come voluntarily, but were transported as convicts. Very few of the convicts were able to bring their families with them, and few returned to Britain. Some were able, once they had served their time, to bring their family out to Australia. For most, however, the separation was permanent and they often established a new family here.
However, that’s not my family. We have found three likely reasons for immigration in my family:
1. Industrialisation of agriculture in England, rural depression and urbanisation. Agricultural labourers weren’t needed on the farms in the south of England (where my English ancestors lived) in the numbers they had been in previous centuries. Many moved to live in the large industrial cities, and others chose to emigrate – to Canada, New Zealand, the United States or Australia. The Government paid the travelling expenses of the emigrant family to Australia, in exchange for two years’ work in the colony on arrival, making this a popular choice. The two years’ work could be either for the Government in the colony directly, or for an already established immigrant.
2. Religion. In Germany, from the 1830s, Lutherans were a group that was being persecuted in their homeland for their religion. Many chose to leave Germany and came to Australia – settling in South Australia and Queensland in large numbers. While we don’t know for sure, we assume this is the reason our German Lutheran ancestors came to Queensland.
3. Health. After World War I, many soldiers returning to the United Kingdom were in precarious health. Many had been affected, to a greater or lesser degree, by the use of mustard gas in the trenches, which permanently affected their health for the rest of their lives. Men were advised, for the sake of their health, to move to countries with kinder climates. My Scottish grandfather, his wife and three children arrived in Sydney in 1921 as a direct result of this advice.
When my ancestors immigrated, from 1848 to 1858, then in 1921, the decision was not undertaken lightly. 19th century immigration to Australia was a long and difficult journey, involve three months on a small ship that probably wouldn’t be considered seaworthy today. Conditions were harsh and many immigrants, especially babies and children, died. For most, their passage was paid by the Government, and immigration was permanent. Even in 1921, my grandparents travelled six weeks to get here, with no expectation of ever returning.
Immigration today is different – the modern immigrant arrives by plane and, unless a refugee, knows that he or she can return home relatively easily for a visit, or permanently if they choose. The process is reversible and, with improvements in technology, the internet, Skype, etc, contact with family and friends left behind is much easier to maintain..
