Dear Jennifer You wrote about the practice of leaving children with relatives to emigrate to Australia: > They may have > left the children with grandparents or other relatives. I know from going > through the shipping to Australia that a number of people left children with > relatives even to come to Australia Do you know anything more of this practice? My gg grandparents John McBride (b1831) and Elizabeth (Lamont, b 1828) came from Ballymena to Fremantle, Australia, in 1860 with their two eldest boys, James (my g grandfather, 8) and William (4). They left their daughter Rose Mary (6) and youngest son Daniel (2) in Ireland. These two children followed individually to Australia at around the age of 11. This must have been an extraordinary experience for the two left behind, particularly for Daniel who would only have known his parents through stories from relatives. And I wonder how being left behind at tht age affected Rose Mary. Both parents were illiterate (or at least signed their marriage certificate with Xs), so presumably relied on others to write for them. By the time Rose Mary and Daniel had arrived in Australia, they had two younger brothers, both born in Australia. Was there a particular significance about the age of 11? From the shipping lists, these children appear to have travelled alone to Australia. Would they not have been chaperoned? I have been unable to find out about the families of John or Elizabeth, particularly about siblings, cousins, uncles or aunts to know who their children were likely to have stayed with. I have read that there was a settlement of Lamonts in Ballymarlow (which is where Elizabeth came from) but have not been able to identify where she or her father William fitted in. Perhaps someone from this list can help? Any thoughts would be welcome. All the best Mark Snell Woy Woy NSW Australia

Mark No sorry. I have just observed it. I know sometimes it was because they could not raise enough money to bring out all the children. How would you make the choice? I have been transcribing a trip on the "Helen" to Sydney in 1841 and several of the married couples had noted they did not bring all of their children, one because of that reason. Perhaps from 11 they had to pay full fare or perhaps they were considered old enough to help elderly grandparents. Children as young as 8 used to work in the mines in UK My the way, there were McBrides on the ship. Do you want me to send you a copy when I have completed it. Jennifer ----- Original Message ----- > >