Who Made the Journey for you?
The immigration of my forebears still fills me with wonder. As I searched for their records, I uncovered stories that were far more extraordinary than I expected. It made me pause and ask: what was that journey really like?
Three long months at sea—cramped quarters, relentless weather, families separated, children left behind in Ireland, orphans travelling alone, babies born between continents, and lives lost before landfall. The courage it took is almost unimaginable.
I am forever grateful they made it to Australia. Many endured harsh conditions in the outback and faced unimaginable hardship in the early years of settlement. My own journey began with these pioneers, and their resilience continues to shape who I am.
Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864), Thursday 23 July 1863, page 2
THE GOLDEN EMPIRE.
The Black Ball liner, Golden Empire, 1218 tons, Captain Goodall, sailed from London on the 6th April, and from Queenstown on the 14th of April 1863.
She has on board a large general cargo, besides 432 immigrants. The latter are under the medical supervision of Mr. J.R. Lansdown, the surgeon-superintendent. This vessel has made a fare average passage of about 98 days from Queenstown to Brisbane Roadstead. The health of the emigrants has been very good throughout the passage; no sickness of an epidemic character having shown itself among them. The most common ailments were diarrhea, colds, and such other similar diseases as are incident to a large number of people confined on shipboard during a long sea voyage. There were three deaths one on the 27th of June, from consumption, another on the 30th of June, from convulsions, and the last on the 18th of July, from dysentry.
The Golden Empire did not speak any vessels bound either to or from the Australian colonies. At London she embarked 175 passengers, all Engish, and at Cork 156 immigrants were taken on board. Of these received at the last-mentioned port, only 6 were English, 15 were Scotch, and 135 were Irish. Fifty-nine single men, thirty-two single women, and 124 members of families shipped at London, and at Queenstown, 71 single men and 30 single women were embarked. Dr. Hobbs visited this vessel yesterday and passed her with a clean bill of health.
The names of the saloon passengers are Mrs. Lansdown, Mr. and Mrs. O'.Mahoney and two children, Mr. and Mrs E Porter, Mr and Mrs Veitch, Mrs. J. M. Shaw, four children and servant, Messrs Schaff, T. A. Sharland, T. A.Veitch, C. J. Whitby, E. Wheeler, and R Woodward. There were 64 in the second cabin, the remainder being in the intermediate and steerage.
I have not been successful in locating the immigration details for Patrick John Mitchell. Information from his obituary indicated he was a native of Ireland but had been a resident in Queensland for upwards of half a century was was one of the earliest arrivals in the Yangan District. He spent a short time in NSW and New Zealand but had been in the Yangan district for considerably over 40 years.
Her siblings Timothy 12 & Ellen 9 also made the journey. However, 2 other children (Mary & Margaret) did not make this voyage but came out to Australia at another time. Two sisters did not come out with the family, Why is that? Farewell my Children - indicated that families to receive free passage did leave children behind.
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This story is very interesting - some researchers say Anna came out on The William and Mary in 1849 others say it was on the Maria in 1850. 
William and Isabella Craig Departed Greenock on 24 July 1837 and arrived 3 Dec 1837 on the ship "Portland". They were brought out by Mr Andrew Lang.William was a native of Preston Pans, Isabella from Dunse, Berwickshire. Their religion was Church of Scotland.They made the journey with Thomas (my great-Great Grandfather) who was 7 years of age, James, 3 and John was born on board the ship and was 8 weeks when they arrived on 3 Dec 1837.
