A Determined Emigrant
A short piece by Tome McQuay and Duncan Waugh published in our Journal No 11. The piece highlights the story of Eli Pratley, who emigrated to the USA but was forced by circumstances to return, but who then made a second attempt at a new life in New Zealand.
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Australia Bound
Wendy Perse’s research published in our Journal No 31 covers the experiences of some Ascott families as they embark on their new lives in Australia. A fair number of Ascott’s born and bred were prepared to seize this opportunity. The possibility of acquiring land of their own, and the chance of setting their feet on an upwardly spiralling ladder, proved difficult to resist.
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Decade of Decisions: The 1870s
Here is an extended piece by Margaret Seager, discussing the trials and challenges of agricultural workers in the Wychwoods during the 1870s. It is taken from the WLHS Journal No. 3.
Full article here or download as PDF here
Emigrants from Milton to New Zealand
Research by Janet Wallace from Journal No 28.
Her piece includes accounts of the voyage of the S.S. Mongol carrying Wychwoods families, including the Turners from Milton, on assisted passage to Otago in New Zealand in charge of Mr Christopher Holloway from Wootton. Holloway’s journal starts on 16th December, 1873 following the journey from Oxford to Plymouth by train, which he says was far from satisfactory due to problems with luggage. On arrival in Plymouth they found the depot clean and there was sufficient food which was far superior to what they would have had at home….
Many other excerpts from Holloway’s journal are included, and these are contrasted with a second record is that by one of the saloon class passengers, Mr James Dixon Gore. These are both vibrant, first-person records of great interest.
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The Cospatrick Tragedy
A short summary by Margaret Ware of the Cospatrick tragedy and its aftermath, taken from our Journal No 14.
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The Intrepid Travellers
From our Journal No 14, we have another extended feature by Wendy Pearse following the fortunes of three Wychwoods women undertaking some extraordinary worldwide travels.
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