Albert I was following 2 sisters who came to Australia on the CITY OF POONAH. Interesting when I checked the passenger list they were all women. One of these ladies married a crew member and when I traced further a number of them were witnesses to each others wedding. There was some information I read some time age where young ladies were sent out to the colonies as servants to protect their morals. A lot of these girls were met at the docks & became prostitutes while others were wifes as you say. I believe I read this in one of the old news papers available on the web such as www.uk.olivesoftware.com/ This is an old address so I am not sure if still working. regards Derek ----- Original Message ----- From: "Albert Grulke" <grulke@bigpond.com.au> To: <AUS-GERMAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 2:26 PM Subject: mail order brides > Somewhere I read that there were a number of Irish and maybe English women > brought out to New South Wales in the 1830-60 eras for the sole purpose of > becoming wives of settlers already here. As I recall the article there was a > surplus of males and the administration wanted to balance the population > with females able to contribute children to the colony. > > I cannot find this article now and am wondering if I am having an illusion. > > I do know of one story where a ship of German migrants arrived in Brisbane > and the male bachelors in the colony were waiting at the wharf. The single > girls were segregated and the men were enticed to make arrangements with > their fathers for marriage. In the case I know about the couple were married > the next day. They had a long marriage but wonder way it love or need that > kept them going. > > Any ideas > > Albert Grulke > > ______________________________