"Castles in the air" : a study of nineteenth century pre-emigration information and the experiences of women emigrating to New Zealand

Abstract

This research examines a sample of British nineteenth century emigrant guides and handbooks to ascertain what information was available to intending emigrants regarding New Zealand. From these sources the images that female emigrants were likely to have formed of New Zealand are extracted. These images are then compared with the perceptions and experiences of a sample of emigrant women, as evidenced in their personal correspondence - examining the relative match or mismatch of image and experience. An historical methodology is utilised, with extensive use of primary sources (published guides and handbooks, and the letters of female emigrants), and secondary literature. Analysis and discussion is based on the communication theories of Lasswell and Dance, and in this way the research addresses issues of concern to the discipline of information studies, as well as New Zealand history. The conclusions reached include identification of the male oriented nature of the published guides, ill-suited for preparation of female emigrants. Also identified is the propagandist nature of the information in the guides and handbooks, and the resulting uniformity of description of New Zealand as a Utopian paradise. This is in contrast to the information in the women's letters, which is noted for its diversity of perception and experience. A unique female cycle of communication, via personal correspondence, is also identified. This model of communication not only supplied versions of emigration that challenged published accounts, but served to meet the unique information needs of female emigrants.