Migration in a Mature Economy: Emigration and Internal Migration in England and Wales 1861-1900 (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time) [Paperback]

Dudley Baines (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 052189154X | ISBN-13: 978-0521891547 | Publication Date: October 30, 2003

In this study Mr Baines has devised a method of estimating the county of birth of all permanent emigrants from England and Wales in the last four decades of the nineteenth century - some 2.3 million people. He has related the rate and timing of migration to the social and economic characteristics of the counties, which has provided answers to many of the outstanding questions in the history of English emigration, including, for example, the idea of an 'Atlantic Economy' and the extent to which Welsh migration was distinct from or integrated into the English pattern. Briefly, the book concludes that the emigrants did not, in the main, come from 'peripheral' parts of the country. Probably one half of the emigrants had known no environment other than a large town. It is likely that English and Welsh emigrants were more likely to return than emigrants from any European country. Most of the emigrants seem to have been well-informed about the costs and benefits of moving - most probably from the experience of previous emigrants. English emigration could not therefore have been a simple flight from poverty, but was rather based on a well considered decision to leave home, although not necessarily for ever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Applies a method of estimating the country of birth of all emigrants from England and Wales in the last 40 years of the nineteenth century to answering many outstanding questions in the history of English emigration. Concludes that English emigration waves were based on well considered decisions as opposed to impulsive reactions. -- Book Description --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

In this study Mr Baines has devised a method of estimating the county of birth of all permanent emigrants from England and Wales in the last four decades of the nineteenth century - some 2.3 million people.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052189154X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521891547
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,815,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Were they pushed or did they jump?, April 4, 2004

By 

Mark Howells (Puyallup, Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Migration in a Mature Economy: Emigration and Internal Migration in England and Wales 1861-1900 (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time) (Hardcover)

Using an technique to estimate births and out migration for each English & Welsh county, the author tests various generally accepted "truths" about the migration from England & Wales of some 10 million people between 1861 and 1900.

Did most emigrants come from rural areas which were left behind during the rapid industrialization of the period?

Did the varying cycles of economic growth on either side of the "Atlantic economy" clearly influence emigration in the directions expected?

Did the Welsh have a distinct emigration pattern which differed from English emigrants?

Was the composition of the emigrants primarily young unmarrieds or families emigrating together?

Did the emigrants leave England and Wales for good or was there significant return migration?

The author's conclusions are significant in changing our understanding of this large migration of people. His conclusions on return migration, rural/urban origins of emigrants, information flows about conditions in the destination countries, and Welsh and West Country emigration patterns are extremely interesting.

This is an academic population study and reading it can be a heavy slog at times. For those not inclined to wade through mathematical models of population and emigration, the author has provided convenient summaries for each chapter and an very useful concluding chapter.

A great way to better understand why our English and Welsh ancestors "jumped the puddle" and went overseas between 1861 and 1900.