Who Should Emigrate to Canada and the United States
Immigrants Landing at Castle Garden in 1880. GGA Image ID # 21ec682501
Public attention was so generally turned towards America during the years of commercial depression in Canada, now happily passed, or nearly so, that such a question as the above has been asked over and over again and received a variety of answers. America is not by any means an Eldorado for all.
They could be found in New York as much poverty as in London. The overcrowding of dwelling houses in the districts inhabited by the working classes would provide, in many cases, quite as appalling facts as could be found in St. Giles's or Whitechapel.
At present, there are quite as many unemployed in the leading cities of the States as may be found in many English towns. The prospects held out to those who contemplate finding a new home have been exaggerated, and some industries are greatly overdone in America.
It is just as possible to do well in England as in America, and success there depends on the same qualities necessary here. Of unskilled labor, there is enough to spare in America. The old saying must again be that a man with a trade in his hands stands a hundred percent—better chance there than one who has not.
American industries are progressing rapidly, and there is room in them for men of skill and industry, with good remuneration for their work and a social position higher than their corresponding status here. Whatever a man's trade is in the States is no barrier to his social progress. Labor is honored highly, as it ought to be all over the world if honestly followed.
From my perspective, when comparing the two countries, the States offer a better and quicker return for the same amount of capital or labor than is possible in most cases here. This potential for success in America should instill a sense of hope and optimism in those considering emigration.
The feeling that there is scope in the States obtains possession of the mind of the man who goes out determined to make his way. Willingness to work and take the work that presents itself ought to be dominant. Several cases come to my mind that I know personally.
A friend of mine had excellent training as a mechanical engineer, crossed the Atlantic, and is doing favorably as a storekeeper and small farmer. He kills his pigs himself and takes all such work as part of the day's labor.
Another was unsuccessful in business on his own account in one of the midland towns of England. He is now a manager of works in the trade in which he was engaged here, at an excellent salary, and bids fair to be a partner by and bye, without any large investment. His knowledge and skill in the business are accepted as the equivalent of capital.
For those who have good situations in Canada, giving them up for the sake of change, with the idea of doing better out there, is not advisable. On the other hand, there is plenty of room for unmarried young men with plenty of energy and who like work for its own sake. Such, with tact, push, and principle, the great motto of Abraham Lincoln would scarcely fail to get on.
Let me give one practical suggestion to those contemplating going out and having a trade in their hands: Advertise what employment you seek in the journal representing your particular trade. Class papers are prolific in America, largely read, and used to bring employers and employees together.
America is full of schoolmasters, tutors, and professors of music, languages, and other arts. There is a demand for clever and original designers. There is a good scope in the engineering and hardware trade. The chemical industries are rapidly developing, and those with a good and trustworthy knowledge of making chemicals for manufacturing purposes would find room for their labor.
I have already referred to the jewelry and silver trade. The shirt, collar, and clothing trades are overstocked, except perhaps as regards hats. Saddlery and harness makers find remunerative employment. Printers are in demand, but before they could find good employment, they would require getting well accustomed to the American ideas of display. In the Birmingham and Sheffield trades, there are openings for labor.
With whatever capital a person emigrates, and none should go without some, he should prefer to err in being over cautious rather than prematurely confident. There are all manner of methods for ridding a newcomer of his stock of wealth if he is not wide awake.
A short time spent in reconnoitering after arrival would be advisable to most, but in a few cases, is it well to attempt settling down in New York. Other cities present far better opportunities than that one, which unfortunately receives a good deal of scum from every part of the world.
I know nothing of the value of land and the practical prospects of farming, but I know that farming there differs greatly from what it is here. It may be rough and primitive there when compared with scientific farming here, but it is, at all events, more likely to succeed. Potential emigrants should be prepared for these differences and be willing to adapt to the local farming practices.
Untold millions of acres remain to be cultivated, and here I will quote a few figures. Of the 220,000,000 acres of land in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, about 90,000,000 are under cultivation, and 70,000,000 consists of forests and sandy plains, the other 60,000,000 are still available for colonization.
In the States of Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota, there are 160,000,000 acres, 12,000,000 of which are under cultivation, while 78,000,000 might be cultivated at a large profit and a very small preliminary outlay.
Texas has 200,000,000 acres, but the greater part has been used chiefly for grazing. Yet there are at least 60,000,000 acres that might be better planted with corn and cotton.
There are about 120,000,000 acres of very good land in the territories of Montana, Wyoming, and Dakota, nearly all of which are currently uncultivated and can be obtained on straightforward terms.
In purchasing land, every care and caution must be exercised. The literature of the various land companies must not always be accepted without question. They naturally speak graphically and enthusiastically about what they are desirous of selling.
In the towns, living is significantly dearer than in England. Money does not have the same purchasing value there as here. Rents are notoriously high, and an average rent in New York would swallow up an average salary on this side. This emphasis on high living costs should make the audience feel cautious and aware of the financial challenges they may face in America.
From what can be gathered, the immense increase in emigration returns for the last few years has not perceptibly overstocked the market. Some writers in Germany have recently been making a great deal of German emigrants returning to their native districts with disappointed hopes. Still, it is patent that official Germany does not relish this drain of the bone and sinew of the country, glad to find a home in the Far West where conscription cannot follow them.
The United States' population at the last census was 50,155,783, and the country's size still allows for five or six times that number.
Europe owes her a debt of gratitude for her vast absorbing power, and she is fulfilling her duty to Europe very faithfully. To the British people especially, she holds out a very welcome hand.
Greenwood, Thomas, Chapter XXVII: "Who Should Emigrate," in A Tour in the States & Canada. Out and Home in Six Weeks, London: L. Upcott Gill, 1883.
Who Should Emigrate to Canada and the United States?
A Must-Read for Immigration Historians, Genealogists, and Family Researchers
For teachers, students, genealogists, family historians, and immigration researchers, Who Should Emigrate to Canada and the United States? offers an invaluable perspective on the realities of emigration in the late 19th century. This article challenges the common perception of America as an "Eldorado," instead presenting a balanced and realistic look at the opportunities and hardships awaiting immigrants.
Why This Article is Essential for Immigration Research:
- A Firsthand Look at 19th-Century Emigration Decisions – Written in 1883, this piece provides historical context for those studying the motivations and challenges of emigrants considering Canada and the U.S.
- Reality vs. Expectation – It highlights misconceptions about life in America, illustrating that poverty, unemployment, and housing struggles existed in cities like New York just as in London.
- Guidance for Emigrants – The article serves as a practical guide for potential emigrants, offering insights on which professions were in demand and warning against industries that were already overcrowded.
- Detailed Overview of Available Land – A rare feature of this document is its quantitative analysis of available farmland in the Midwest, Great Plains, and Texas, making it a valuable resource for those studying land settlement patterns.
Who Would Benefit from This Article?
- Teachers & Students – A primary source document perfect for history and social studies courses, examining emigration push-pull factors and economic migration trends.
- Genealogists & Family Historians – If your ancestors left Britain or Europe for North America in the late 19th century, this article provides crucial insights into what they expected—and what they actually found.
- Immigration Historians & Researchers – The article explores employment opportunities, land acquisition challenges, and economic conditions, offering a rich resource for understanding 19th-century migration patterns.
This article challenges romanticized views of emigration, offering practical insights and historical analysis on who truly benefitted from relocating to Canada and the U.S. Review this essential historical document today to deepen your understanding of transatlantic migration in the 19th century!
