Emigrant Manuals

Author William Henry Giles Kingston Esquire (1814-1880)

Date1851

Object number00042677

NameBook

MediumPaper, ink, cloth

Dimensions145 x 100 x 18 mm

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionWilliam H G Kingston wrote a number of guide books, journals and newspaper articles for prospective immigrants, providing valuable advice on how to migrate, what to take and where to find work upon arrival. This book 'Emigrant Manuals' by Kingston was published in 1851 and printed for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The manual is divided into four sections: The British Colonies Described, with advice to those who cannot obtain employment at home; Preparations for the Voyage; Employment on the Voyage; and, Arrival in the Colony.HistoryWilliam Henry Giles Kingston (1814-1880) was a prolific writer of boys' adventure stories in books and magazines. He also published a number of books on emigration from Great Britain to Australia, despite never having visited Australia before, including 'Some Suggestions for the Formation of a System of General Emigration, &c’ (1848), 'How to Emigrate, or, The British Colonists: a tale for all classes, with an appendix forming a complete manual for intending colonists' (1850) and 'The Emigrant Manuals Volumes 1 - 4' (1851) and ‘The Emigrant's Home’ (1856). Kingston's manuals and guides attempted to provide valuable advice to prospective immigrants during the height of the New South Wales and Victorian gold rushes in the 1850s. He advises immigrants what they need for the voyage (detailing men and women’s clothing and personal affects), and suggests what they should take with them to keep themselves occupied during the trip. He also advises that everything is to be packed carefully into a large sea chest, but as this was stored in the hold of the ship, emigrants should take a separate small waterproof bag to carry everything they would need until they were allowed to access the boxes in the hold. SignificanceTo immigrate or to remain at home? For many people in the 19th century this was the most significant decision of their lifetime. The serious - and in most cases permanent - decision required considerable thought and research. Prospective immigrants would seek advice from not only from family and friends, but from associates who may have already immigrated, government agencies, and from reading immigration publications. Kingston's publications are an example of the many guides, newspapers, journals and periodicals which were produced for sale to those contemplating immigration.