'Here and There; or, Emigration a
Remedy'– a 19th century poster promoting emigration.
Britain 1858
Life is hard in the great cities of this country. There are so many people and
so little space, food and work.
Many people are speaking of the opportunities for a
man like me in countries like America
and Canada. I have also heard good things about Australia, but am not
sure what is best for my family. What do you think?
Should my family and I leave London and go to live overseas?
For many people emigration was not much of a choice - it seemed their only
option. The potato famine in Ireland, religious persecution, plus war and
industrialisation across Europe, had forced many people into cities like
London. They were looking for food and work but found only dirty, crowded,
disease-ridden housing with little chance of employment. The British government
was keen to deal with this overcrowding, and so encouraged people to leave for
the new colonies of Australia and New Zealand.
In the booklet ‘Practical Hints to the Australian Emigrant’ by John
Willcox, would-be emigrants are warned of the hardships they will face in
Australia. It advises that only young men with a skill, energy, talent and
strength should travel (women are barely mentioned). They should also be tough,
hard working, determined, self-reliant and brave!
Most people who emigrated through Liverpool went across the Atlantic to America
and Canada – often following relatives and friends. The cheapest route
was to Canada, sailing on the ships that entered Liverpool full of timber but
which would have otherwise returned to Canada empty.
