Emigrants

Emigrants

It took real courage to travel across oceans to a new land. Emigration meant a dangerous sea passage lasting weeks or months. It was likely you'd never again see your family back in St Ives. And although excited about starting a new life, St Ives emigrants must also have been apprehensive.

Why did St Ivians emigrate? Most likely a dissatisfaction with your lot and the hope of a better future. St Ives' population of 3,000 varied little up to the 1950s.

Health also played a part. St Ivians suffered a high rate of typhoid and diarrhoea, drinking water from pumps and wells polluted by cesspools and drains located nearby. In summer, the river and town stank. Young and old suffered particularly from respiratory illness. Larger towns and cities in England were unappealing, rife with disease and overcrowding. Life expectancy was under 50 years.

Read about the experiences of emigrant St Ivians by selecting from the choices below. (NOTE: More destinations to be added).