Story: Women and men

Applying to emigrate (2nd of 2)

Women could apply to the Fund for Promoting Female Emigration, and if approved get a free passage to New Zealand. Ann Smith’s 1851 application tells a brief story of her life. She was 21, born in London, with both parents dead. She could read but not write – her application seems to have been written by a member of the church she attended. Emigration was a way to better herself. Her application was approved, and a note at the top of the first page tells of her marriage to Henare Pitt-Porutu.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: MS-Papers-2474

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Charlotte Macdonald, 'Women and men - Colonial beginnings: 1840s–1880s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/29207/applying-to-emigrate (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Charlotte Macdonald, published 5 May 2011, updated 1 Aug 2017