Between 1833 and 1837, fourteen ships carried nearly 3000 women from Britain and Ireland to the colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. The women migrated in response to promotional material which emphasised the shortage of women in the Australian colonies. Life at home contrasted dramatically with the opportunities provided by the colonies and many enterprising women were encouraged to migrate.
The life experiences of these women demonstrate that they were drawn from a wide cross-section of nineteenh century society. They contributed to the development of the colonies through their employment as domestic and agricultural workers, their enterprises as dressmakers, midwives and teachers, as wives and as mothers of the rising generations. This book tells their stories.
Contents:
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: The Great Object
1. The Scheme
2. London Emigration Committee
3. The Process
Part 2: An Ocean of Uncertainty
4. Healthy, Skilled and Ready to Emigrate
5. Ships, Supplies and Superintendents
6. Surviving the Long Voyage
7. They Must Engage Themselves
Part 3: Heroic Undertakings
8. Employment Realities
9. A Matrimonial Expedition
10. A Valuable Acquisition to the Colonies
Notes
Tables
Appendix: Bounty Women
Select Bibliography
Index
