Passage to the World
The Emigrant Experience 1818-1939
Published on 30. May 2013
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-84832-136-6 (ISBN)
Description
From the early nineteenth century onwards, millions of people left their homes to cross the seas. Some, like the convicts transported from England to Australia, had no choice; others like the indentured Indian and Chinese laborers had almost no alternative; but the vast majority of emigrants were driven to escape war, famine or grinding poverty. Whatever their circumstances and wherever their destination, the one experience they all shared in common was the sea voyage.
This history traces the story of the emigrant, from the decision to emigrate, to the journey to the port and the voyage itself, to arrival in the new world. It describes the differing conditions on board sailing ships and steamers, convict and coolie ships, and the perils of overcrowding, epidemics, fire, shipwreck and even cannibalism. It also investigates the varied receptions emigrants were likely to face.
This history traces the story of the emigrant, from the decision to emigrate, to the journey to the port and the voyage itself, to arrival in the new world. It describes the differing conditions on board sailing ships and steamers, convict and coolie ships, and the perils of overcrowding, epidemics, fire, shipwreck and even cannibalism. It also investigates the varied receptions emigrants were likely to face.
Reviews / Votes
KEVIN BROWN is the Curator of the Alexander Fleming Museum at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington and an expert on the history of medicine. His previous books include Fighting Fit, a history of military medicine in the wars of the twentieth century and Poxed & Scurvied, the story of health and medicine at sea. There can't be many European families without members who upped sticks for new lives overseas, leaving behind relatives, friends and possessions, in fact, all they knew. Millions emigrated to the New World in the 19th and and early 20th-centuries, many fleeing poverty, famine, persecution and war, others as convicts or pioneers. Whatever their circumstances and wherever they were headed, this fascinating new book focuses on their shared experience - the sea voyage to their adopted homeland at a time when such journeys were perilous and long. All these colourful stories from the archives give a rich insight into the emigrant experience, revealing, in the end, what a courageous, adventurous bunch of ancestors we had. Passage to the World is eye-opening and even inspiring. We could all learn a little something from this history of our emigrating ancestors. Our top choice! Family TreeMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Barnsley
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Illustrations
32 b/w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84832-136-6 (9781848321366)
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Person
Kevin Brown is the Curator of the Alexander Fleming Museum at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington. His previous books include Fighting Fit and Poxed & Scurvied.