It appears to be generally not well known that there was a major recruitment program to bring German people to the Hunter Valley. >From memory (I'm not on the right computer), there were representations to the governor to allow this, as it was not permitted beforehand (this was an English penal colony). They pleaded that a wine industry could be established but they needed experienced vineyard workers. The French were not in the "good books" at the time and there had been a major famine etc in Germany (2 million left in a decade or so mostly to America). German workers, mainly vinedressors, were brought over literally by the shipload, after successful recruiting in the Rhine Valley. Interestingly the Germans integrated with the English here in the Hunter Valley (they were Catholic so intermarried without problems) as opposed to South Australia (they were mostly Lutheran there). We, therfore do not have German towns and settlements such as Handorf. John Goswell > >This one is for Anne re German immigration. > >There is a good book called 'Greetings from the Land where Milk and Honey > >Flows: The German Immigration to NSW 1838-1858' edited by Patricia Cloos >and >Jurgen Tampke published in 1993. It used to be available at the NSW State > >Library Shop. > >It discusses how they were 'enticed' into coming to Australia; a number of > >letters and diary entries written by the immigrants (3 letters from >passengers who travelled on the 'Parland'); and the ships and passenger >lists during those years. > >

Good Afternoon, The history of German Immigration to NSW and the Hunter Valley is well documented. For example see:- Vondra, J. German Speaking Settlers in Australia. Patterson. J. Assisted and Unassisted German Immigrants to NSW. 1849 - 1859. Nadell, G. Letters from German Immigrants in NSW in RAHS Vol. 39 Part 15 1953. Parkes W.S. German Immigration to the Hunter Valley in the Mid-19th Century in Guilford, E. (ed.) Journal Of Hunter Valley History. Vol 2 No 1 1986. Williams, M. Non-British immigration to Australia during the 19th century. In Lemon & Pollock Studies in overseas settlement and population. Burkhardt, G. The Places of Origin of German Immigrants to NSW 1849 - 1860. State Archives In Brief No 50 German Migration and settlement in NSW. Cloos, P. & Tampke, J. Greetings from the Land where milk and honey flows. The German Emigration to NSW 1838 - 1858. -----Original Message----- From: aus-nsw-hunter-valley-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:aus-nsw-hunter-valley-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of johngoswell@iprimus.com.au Sent: Wednesday, 21 March 2007 12:24 PM To: aus-nsw-hunter-valley@rootsweb.com Subject: [HV] German Immigration It appears to be generally not well known that there was a major recruitment program to bring German people to the Hunter Valley.