This publication is not a listing of all Scots in Geelong and
district to 1860 – such a publication would take many years to compile and then
still contain only a small percentage of people of Scottish origins who came to
this region.
Instead it looks at who the early settlers of Scottish
nationality or descent were, why they came here, and how they encouraged others
to do likewise.
First we identify some Scots who were in our region before
settlement in 1835 ... just because they were Scots!
Then we look at the organisations that brought those Scottish
settlers to our region in the first five years of settlement and how they
encouraged others to join them – a story of migration by association – families,
friends, neighbours and business connections.
The second decade of settlement saw emigration schemes in
Scotland resulting in a large number of Scots arriving in the region. Some were
voluntary, some necessary and others involuntary.
By the time news of the gold rush brought immigrants from many
countries to Port Phillip and the Geelong district, the Scots arrived to find a
well established Scottish community with churches, schools, hotels, sport and
societies to help them settle into their new way of life.
Geelong itself was a reason for many Scottish immigrants either
to make it their home or their stepping off point - the gateway to the Western
Districts and the goldfields. Geelong was called the Pivot for very good
reasons.
In this publication we refer to "Geelong and district". In the
very early years that really encompassed all areas to the west and north-west of
Geelong and extending to the South Australian border. Once settlement had
progressed in Port Phillip, the term Geelong and district for our research area
refers to places within the arc from the Otways, north to just below Ballarat,
and across to Werribee.
Although this title is not a "list of all Scottish residents to
1860" it does provide a very extensive list of Scots who were in the area during
that period. Those identified in the "People: A-Z" section were carefully
selected based on very specific criteria and give a good cross-section of the
Scottish community in the first 25 years of settlement of this region.
Totalling 365 pages, and saved into PDF format, this CD can be
searched.
Contents:
Acknowledgements
Introduction
]
Our First Scottish visitors
The beginnings of Scottish settlement
Geelong the Pivot and Point Henry
Scottish architects
Presbyterian and Scottish churches and schools
Presbyterian sections in local cemeteries
Hotels
Societies and sport
Commemorating Scottish people and places
People A-Z
Bibliography
Index
Corrigenda
