Curious why many left for New Zealand? (General)

by Carolann_nz, Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 05:41 (4967 days ago) @ J.Orr

My Barnett ancestors originally came from Dixton/Staunton area with the first family (Henry and Jane and 6 children) emigrating in 1863. Henry's brother Edwin with wife Charlotte and 4 children followed them in 1867. I am descended from the daughter of Henry and Edwin's brother James. James died in 1853, but 2 of his children joined their uncles in New Zealand: James in 1870 and my great grandmother Sarah in 1876.

So in the space of 13 years virtually the whole family had left the Forest of Dean and re-grouped in the Christchurch area of New Zealand.

I think this sequence of emmigration is quite common, with one family member acting as the trailblazer and then sponsor for other family members.