Albert, Spurred by your question I have just spent an hour searching the internet for information because I have had similar questions. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything interesting (unless you are in the market for a Russian bride). One of my ancestors, an orphan Irish servant girl, arrived here in 1854 and was married 3 weeks later to a German widower with 3 kids 40something years her senior. I have wondered if she was a mail order bride since it seemed to be stretching it that she arrived in Sydney, met and married someone in Picton in such a short time. I would appreciate it if you would let us know if you find anything interesting. Sharon -----Original Message----- From: Albert Grulke [mailto:grulke@bigpond.com.au] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 8:26 PM To: AUS-GERMAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [AUS-GERMAN] 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 ==== AUS-GERMAN Mailing List ==== Remember, to unsubscribe, send an email to aus-german-l-request@rootsweb.com with unsubscribe in the subject line. ============================== Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx