Hi Group, There has been a great deal of debate about the reasons for emigration from Germany. It is a very complex matter and there really isn't one reason that can be given, but different reasons for different time frames and places. We will mention a few examples from different areas that we have found during our research. But this is by no means the whole story. For some the reasons were Religious, others Military, but for the majority we believe it was for economic reasons which boils down that they wanted a better life for them and their family. Letters from Johann Cesar Godeffroy & Son to C Heussler 24-03-1866 to J. C. Heussler Brisbane. During the excessive heat of the past year of 1865 together with Cholera especially Typhus and Scarlet fevers were spread over the whole continent and not only here in Europe much greater mortality was registered, but, the germ of these epidemics were also carried on board of all emigrant vessels, as well on those destined for America as on those destined for Australia and broke out, during the voyage more or less seriously; the enclosed files of Newspapers contain the report of the Hamburg Hospital, which states that, cases of Typhus fever were more numerous in 1865 than in the year of 1857, the worst known up to now. If you had Ancestors from the most northern state of Germany, Schleswig Holstein, there is an excellent website that you can look at. The author is trying to track everyone who emigrated from those states and give a reason if possible. We have noticed on this site a high incidence of people emigrating for Military reasons. It has been recorded against some people who emigrated that they were "accused of leaving the country without a permit for emigration or of not showing for military service". There were many conflicts going on and it was complusory for men within a certain age group to do military service. http://www.rootdigger.de/Emi.htm >From the book "Nineteenth Century emigration of "Old Lutherans" from Eastern Germany (Mainly Pomerania and Lower Silesia) to Australia, Canada and the United States by Clifford Neal Smith 1980. In his book he gives the background of reasons for the "old Lutherans" in 1837 from Lower Silesia to South Australia and other areas. In the book it lists some examples given for their emigration: "The wife of Luschuetz, from Riechwalde, Kreis Rothenburg Silesia, remained Germany when her husband emigratedc in 1854, and was happy to be rid of him, as he had neglected his family. Frau Grobengiesser born Ribcke, from Bruessow aged 67 was granted an exit permit with her two daughters, aged 26 and 24, with the agreement of the husband and father, on 7 Jun 1843 to go to America. The husband Johann Justus Grobengiesser aged 56 was to remain in Germany only until he had straightened out the affairs of his son, liable to military sercice and a third daughter. The son's military obligation was dissolved by an appeal to the Minister of War. On 29 Jun 1843 he and the son were granted special exit permits so that they probably accompanied the wife and two daughters (nothing is said about the third daughters case. (Government at Potsdam). Another case " The journeyman roofer Gottlob Hildebrandt in Potsdam from Bohnau near Weissenfels wished to emigrate with Pastor Kindermann and received his release from Prussian citizenship. He had been married for seven years: his wife, Dorothea Hildebrandt born Speck did not belong to his faith nor did she wish to emigrate. She would not stand in the way of his departure and would support herself. Since Hildebrandt had missed his opportunity for a free passage overseas, he reported that he would give up his emigration plan temporarily. His permit was placed in the files." There are many many more examples. One example of some explanations is from "Emigrants from Hessen Kassel" and while some of the examples relate to emigration to America, the same reasons would apply to Australia, Africa, South America and England and can be read on: http://www.itter.org/history/emigration.shtml An example from Baden in 1855: These were taken from Memoirs written by the son of an Emigrant. "It was a very hard struggle for poor people to get on there for wages were very low and heavy taxes to pay. It was very difficult to save a little money or buy a little land. When I was 12 years old my Father resolved to emigrate and as there was just an opening for Australia and a great many families in our neighbourhood who had friends there were going, so father made up his mind to go also with his family to better ourselves......." Book: Letters from Emigrants to Queensland 1863-1885 written by the QFHS with permission of the Co-ordinator General Premiers Dept of Qld. (issued from the Qld Govt Emigration Office London 1863) A letter written in Brisbane 18th January 1863 Even though it is an English person writing the sentiments would be the same: the name wasnt recorded. We bore up the voyage very well, and hope its all for the best. It is a great undertaking, but I can do better with them here than in England. But this is no place for a lazy man: but if he will work he will get paid. Perhaps you will not believe that I am getting at present 10s per day I can buy land for £1 per acre, in any quantity, but I think I can do best for my trade: and when I get a house and shop and garden, I shall work to myself not journeyman .. I wish many that I know that are home, in want, were out here to enjoy plenty - they would do well here. Another example is an extract from a publication called Margin No 20 1988 Published by the department of English and printed by the Dept of Geography, Monash University Clayton Vic Aust The middle of the 19th century was a period of great social and political unrest and poverty in Europe. Therefore a significant number of Germans left their country and Australia must have been seen as a good place to go in search of a more prosperous future especially as the news of the recent Gold discoveries there reached Europe very quickly .. There is evidence, too, that Australia wanted European families to immigrate .The Stuttgart archives hold a letter signed by John Dunmore Lang, dated 21 February 1837 and addressed to Wuerttemberg authorities in Stuttgart informing His Excellency that the English Government had asked their Australian colonies to support emigration from Europe to Australian and that therefore his brother Andrew Lang, property owner of NSW wanted 100 unblemished and hardworking families from Great Britain or the Continent to settle on his property. >From the same publication, a letter from Christian Carl Krust to Johann Specht written in NSW 29-8-1855, it also contains an excellent on the route the ship took: As so many asked me where Australia was, now I am able to tell them; from Hamburg or Bremen one goes west through the English Channel, then SW with France, Spain and Portugal on ones left, then past the Island of Madeira where they grow such beautiful wine, to the Canaries and further south to sierra Leone where it starts to be very hot. Crossing the Equator the journey goes SE beyond the Cape of Goode Hope, the most southern tip of Africa, then straight east, where the sun rises, to Van Diemens Land. Halfway between there and Africa we passed the island of St Paul. >From Van Diemens Land it is NE to Sydney,. The Germans think we have to walk on our heads here, but we walk on our feet just like in Swabia. And our time is 9 ½ hours ahead. I wanted to be able to tell you whether it is good or not. As far as I can see, it would be good for you to be here too. .. If somebody asks about us, tell them, we feel like birds freed from their cages. Also in the same publication, a letter from Johann Friedrich Woerner to his parents in Echterdingen, Denkendorf and Balzholz November 1852. I cannot give enough thanks to God for leading me out of Germany. He goes on to talk about his wages and closed the paragraph with we bake our bread at home where we have a baking oven too. But we do not eat much bread: however, we have meat and tea or coffee twice a day. In Germany they say we are sold like slaves,. But that is not true. Here is no difference between master and labourer, everything I earn is my own Now my dear daughter, if you are well, write to me immediately and let nobody keep you from coming for we ..You will earn 20 pounds for the first year. You will never earn that much in all your life in Germany. Another letter from the same publication in May 1853 from M Jesser to Jakob Schmidt in Kaltenweste, O.A. Besigheim Wurttemberg: ..Each have their own house, well built from pinewood .. It is ten thousand times better than in Germany, here they do not know tax collectors or police: it is a free country. It is even better than America as it is not as densely populated. We are doing well and have no food shortages. ..I wish all the poor people could come here, especially my mother and brother. I advise to come to Australia rather then go to America. In a letter written in 1867 from Silesia: For us things are getter ever worse from year to year. Dear Godmother we are now firmly resolved to come to you, I and my sister Ernestine .you write to us asking how matters stand regarding the money necessary for the journey by land. In that regard its a sorry situation: and I must sincerely ask you Dear godmother please do send it. Mother can help us with nothing and everything is very dear and little in wages. Dear Godmother I must also mention when you send us the ticket for the passage .. from the same family undated. I must also once again express my heartfelt thanks for the money which you have sent, I then paid debts and bought double clothing for Ernst At present I again have great worry, namely regarding a room:I have to move out at New Year and dont know wither. If only there were still one to be had. Then they all say Yes if you had no children the poor children are everywhere in the way But these are just the tip of the iceberg. It really does show that there really wasn't one reason for people emigrating. Hope you find them as interesting as we do. Regards Noel & Del Bergman
Dear List, Would anyone have the actual Shipping List for the Lammershagan 19 Feb 1874. I have seen the Immigration content at QSA but there are a few with the same name that I cannot tell who belongs to which family. I am after a family break down on the SPERLING names please. That is, which children belong with which parents. Many thanks Bev Edmonds