Abstract
This article reveals basic demographic information on Americans and Scottish return migrant parents of the 1321 American children listed in the 1881 Scottish census and investigates reasons for return migration from America to Scotland. Census information was downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet and data including occupation, age, relation to head of household, place of residence and length of time back in Scotland, were counted and listed. General causes of return migration are explored and specific reasons for migrants, especially coal miners, to return to Scotland are briefly touched upon; covering the economic downturn in America during the mid-1870s and tensions towards immigrants in the United States during this period. The results of a deeper genealogical study of four families are reported. More than two-thirds of the parents of American children listed were Scottish with others primarily Irish and English. There was a wide range of occupations with construction and coal mining having the greatest numbers. Most families were living in Lanarkshire and Midlothian but 28 other Scottish counties were found as places of residence. Further research is needed to identify whether American children and their Scottish families are represented in other census years.
Highlights
IntroductionI decided to focus on these Americans for the research aspect of my degree
This research began with a throw-away comment in a lecture during the early stages of my work towards a postgraduate degree in genealogical studies with the University of Strathclyde
The point was made that Americans comprised the largest non-UK/Irish cohort in the 1881 Scottish census—larger numbers than the French, Germans and so on and this caught my imagination
Summary
I decided to focus on these Americans for the research aspect of my degree. What does this type of enquiry have to do with genealogical practice? Part of genealogical research is being able to answer broader questions on what life was like for our ancestors and not just to know when and where they lived. This type of enquiry helps to put flesh on the bones of our family trees as it gives possible insights into motivations and the reality of day to day life. Undertaking an academic research inquiry affects my professional practice by providing a broader understanding of the social and economic issues of the time and by increasing my knowledge of the relevant datasets and skills in using them
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