Deb As is the norm, usually the eldest son inherited. Inheritance is the key. They would have to wait for the death of the Father. This would often neccesarily delay marriage as the waiting son would require income to support a wife and family. Often the land to be inherited would not economically support more than one family-the families were often large, and younger siblings did not leave until their own marriages. In addition during the famine the elder children were the first to leave, to potentially pave the way for other members of the family, and importantly in order to generate income that could be sent home to assist the remaining family. There was also ambition, the elder children often wanted to make their own way, and seek out their fortune on the foreign streets paved with gold. Hope this helps Gail