m (Text replacement - "at Findmypast ($), index." to "at Findmypast - index ($)") |
m (Text replacement - " " to " ") |
||
| Line 145: | Line 145: | ||
=== Reasons Irish Emigrated === | === Reasons Irish Emigrated === | ||
[[Image:Emigrants leave Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|<center>Emigrants leave Ireland<center>]]The Irish throughout history had many reasons for leaving Ireland. As well many among those remaining in Ireland ''would'' have emigrated but were unable to, due to | [[Image:Emigrants leave Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|<center>Emigrants leave Ireland<center>]]The Irish throughout history had many reasons for leaving Ireland. As well many among those remaining in Ireland ''would'' have emigrated but were unable to, due to poverty or impoverishment. Many Irishmen during the Great Famine years who did embark were in such sickened and critically weakened condition that death followed many while traversing the high seas to their new world home. | ||
Generally, the Irishman's | Generally, the Irishman's reasons for emigrating--if not compelled to do so, to countries abroad were due to an intolerable convergence of circumstances including, but not limited to: | ||
*dire economic conditions that | *dire economic conditions that destituted families | ||
*austere political policies such as the Crown's Penal laws (from 1695-1829) | *austere political policies such as the Crown's Penal laws (from 1695-1829) | ||
*a series of circumstances surrounding devastating crop failures especially in the mid-19th Century. | *a series of circumstances surrounding devastating crop failures especially in the mid-19th Century. | ||
*social and religious persecution | *social and religious persecution against most nonconformists and Catholics (the dominant segment of Irish society) | ||
For a more complete list detailing the devastating effects of the Penal Laws and the main reasons for emigrating, read [[Compelling Reasons Why The Irish Emigrated]]. | For a more complete list detailing the devastating effects of the Penal Laws and the main reasons for emigrating, read [[Compelling Reasons Why The Irish Emigrated]]. | ||
=== Types of Emigration from Ireland === | === Types of Emigration from Ireland === | ||
Emigration from Ireland began as early as 1603, when people immigrated to areas such as continental Europe, the | Emigration from Ireland began as early as 1603, when people immigrated to areas such as continental Europe, the islands of the Caribbean, the British colonies, and other parts of the British Isles. Emigration increased during periods of '''civil or religious unrest or famine in Ireland as well as during various gold rushes in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.''' The period of greatest emigration began around 1780 and reached its peak from 1845 to 1855, when between one and two million people left Ireland because of the potato famine. The following categories of emigrants account for most people who emigrated from Ireland: | ||
*'''Free emigrants.''' Starting in the seventeenth century, emigrants left Ireland to seek opportunity in a new land; to flee religious persecution, poverty, or oppression; and to seek political asylum following rebellion in Ireland. | *'''Free emigrants.''' Starting in the seventeenth century, emigrants left Ireland to seek opportunity in a new land; to flee religious persecution, poverty, or oppression; and to seek political asylum following rebellion in Ireland. | ||
edits