Sidney's Emigrants Journal, No.30

Maker Samuel and John Sidney

Date26 April 1849

Object number00003788

NameNewspaper

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 340 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThe Sidney's Emigrants Journal, No.30, 26 April 1849, produced by brothers Samuel and John Sidney, although Samuel himself did not travel to Australia. Contents of the is edition include: -The True Emigration Fund -The Colonies - can things go on as they are? - Voluntary Information of the People of New South Wales -Letters from Abroad; A Farmer at Ohio, U.S. - A Labourer at Port Natal -Letters from Texas - Emigrants Questions Answered -The New Colony of Port Stephens - Miscellaneous:- American Squatter Life and the Bible - Emigration of the Poor - Steam Communication with Australia - Advertisements HistorySamuel Sidney was an English writer, originally known as Samuel Solomon. He wrote primarily on agricultural, husbandry and issues relating to the land. His younger brother, John Sidney moved to Australia in around 1838 and wrote extensively about life there. In England, Samuel used these writings as the basis of 'A Voice from the Far Interior of Australia'. He later published 'The Three Colonies of Australia' and 'Australian Hand-book - How to Settle and Succeed in Australia'. This last volume was particularly successful and Samuel and John began publishing 'Sidney's Emigrants Journal' which ran for two years. Samuel Sidney became seen in England as a type of expert on Australia and immigration. He canvassed many political and social issues relating to Australia - such as transportation, governance and land grants. It is interesting however that Samuel never visited Australia himself and continued to rely on dispatches, immigrant’s letters and other sources for news.SignificanceThis journal relates directly to immigration and writes specifically to those who are interested in leaving their countries. The mid-19th century saw millions of people spread across the globe and books and journals such as this by the Sidney brothers capture the hopes and fears of those immigrants.