Genealogy Chat

Brinsleys, I would think most of my ancestors left for that very reason (grass being greener). In addition to Canadian officials posting information about the land (which I know they did); my ancestors may have heard of other's successes in North America and wanted their own improvements. As far as I can tell, only this one family came to North America after another family member was already there. Thank you for your thoughts. It is appreciated. :)

I have 15 ancestors who left England and Ireland. I can find only two living in the States for a few years; the rest seem to have immediately settled in Ontario.

Well I think thats what Lisa and I meant ?- uncle found a good living, did a bit of investigation and probably helped his nephew on arrival to set up shop. No real mystery?

By the way where did the ancestor travel from? Many thousands were having their passages paid for by parishes eager to get rid of people to Canada during the agricultural revolution, when little work was available in the countryside. I think I read in Norfolk alone 35,000 were sent to Canada during the period.

Hi Lisa,

Well, one thing to check would be if he took over an existing business, or was it a brand new one. If the former, I can see that he might have had some idea of the owner intending to retire, thru age or health reasons say. However, 9 months is a bit of a wait.

I think the most likely thing is he came over knowing his uncle thought it a good life, and that he went to work for his uncle so he could learn the Canadian aspects of the trade, and while learning, kept his eye out for an opening one way or the other.

Thank you for your responses. I was up all night (couldn't sleep) and finally went to bed just after posting my reply to Heather. It is now midday here, and we have to go shopping. :(

I will be back here as soon as I can to read your posts. Sorry for not staying around the first time, and now again. I wish I lived where most of you do. :( It would make corresponding so much easier. Thank you for your replies, Brinsleys and Heather.

OP has said the uncle was there already.

Sounds very romantic, but cant see how someone over here would know of such an opportunity.

Most who emigrated didn't have a position to go to, they just believed that the grass was that bit greener on the other side.

Can you find any wills for these men? Any correspondence. Would they have belonged to local businessmens associations in Canada? All worth looking into.

Hi Heather. I had quite a few ancestors leave England and Ireland. Besides the usual famines and looking for a better life, it really would be nice to know what led them to Canada. Thank you for your opinion. :)

Im sure his relative would have tipped him off :)

In 1857, when my ancestor was 31 years old, he left England and within 9 months of settling in Ontario, Canada he owned a butcher shop. (He and his father both had that occupation in England.)

This ancestor's uncle settled in a neighbouring Ontario area nine years prior to my ancestor's arrival. Do you think my ancestor could have been told of the opportunity to buy or set up a shop in the town, or do you think once he arrived he did so? If he knew of the opportunity, perhaps that's why he left England.

I am interested in hearing if others have had similar experiences. (Or, just your opinions.) Thank you.