I have just found out that my ancestor's travelled to California, USA. Three sons lookng for adventure maybe going to the goldfields. They left from the Hawkesbury area around 1855. I don't know if this is folklore or the truth. Does anybody know if this was possible and where would I look for more information? Regards Dawn

Dawn, There is a book (or two?) which lists passengers travelling from Australia to the Californian Goldfields. "Rags to Riches". It may be a bit early for you because I think it only goes to 1852. Sorry to be a bit vague - other listers may have more definite information . Your local library may have a copy - or could perhaps get it on inter-library loan for you. Alison :-) Sydney Oz GandDFriend@aol.com wrote: >I have just found out that my ancestor's travelled to >California, USA. Three sons lookng for adventure maybe going >to the goldfields. They left from the Hawkesbury area around >1855. I don't know if this is folklore or the truth. >Does anybody know if this was possible and where would >I look for more information? >Regards >Dawn > > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > >

Hello Dawn. I don't have any info. to help you with, but I shall watch this topic with interest; because I have so often seen references to Aussies going to the California and New Zealand goldfields, that I reckon it would make a fascinating study in its own right -- to obtain details on all of those who went to each place, whether they married and/or had children there, then whether they stayed or returned. What I also think would be a great study, is just the numbers (and individuals of course) who travelled to the world's different goldfields -- purely as treasure-hunters ---- as distinct from those who emigrated in the 1850s/1860s as settlers. So much is written about Australia's immigration boom in the 1850s; but my reading of it is that most of them were intending to be settlers, and not gold-hunters. So, thanks for raising the issue; and I look forward to what our fellow expert list members might contribute on the topic. Regards to all of you: ray ----- Original Message ----- From: <GandDFriend@aol.com> > I have just found out that my ancestor's travelled to > California, USA. Three sons lookng for adventure maybe going > to the goldfields. They left from the Hawkesbury area around > 1855. I don't know if this is folklore or the truth. > Does anybody know if this was possible and where would > I look for more information? > Dawn