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Why Did Our Ancestors Immigrant?

Possible reasons for immigrating. It was estimated in 1841 that 2 million people in Britain lived largely on potatoes.  When the Irish potato crop failed hardship and famine was inevitable. In successive years the Irish crop was blighted and hundreds of thousands of people died of either starvation or of the fevers that was a result of malnutrition. It was believed that perhaps a million or more people emigrated within six years before 1851 to the New World.

One of the most common reasons was overcrowded conditions in towns. Poor workers lived in terrible conditions and the  promise of a new life in another country often seemed a tempting reason to leave.

No opportunities for a better life. An example is a agricultural labourer was required to look for work wherever they could. During these years a labourer wages was believed to be 12s to 15s per week.  Working hours were long and the rates of pay were low. Not much for a family of four to live on during these years.