Families at Sea: The Impact of the Transatlantic Crossing on Scottish Migrant Families in the Age of Sail, circa 1784–1855

Emigration was a process that was fundamentally defined by family. The decision to migrate was often made for the long-term well-being of the family, and travelling as a unit was a distinct experience to that of solo migrants. This article examines the transatlantic voyage and how, on the one hand, travelling in a family shaped the experience of shipboard life, psychologically and practically. On the other hand, the journey shaped family life, forcing change to their daily routines, their life events, and even their family make-up. Within the family unit, the onboard experiences of men, women, and children differed. Gender and age were just as significant as the variables of class and nationality, which have been assessed by historians to date. This article therefore reassesses the migrant voyage through the lens of family, demonstrating how voyage and family acted upon each other.