St. Andrew's Immigration Society

Tasmanian colonial history should never be solely about convicts.

Largely neglected have been the thousands of immigrants who chose between their plight in the United Kingdom and the promise and hope of a new start in the fledgling colony.

Whilst many immigrants were directly selected and supported by governments, many also arrived as a direct result of the compassion, endeavours and financial support of their brethren already in Tasmania.

In 1854 the Launceston-based St. Andrew’s Society established a separate association specifically to assist Scottish migrants.

Over the following eight years, almost 2,500 Scots were selected and assisted by the St. Andrew’s Immigration Society to make Tasmania their home.

This publication is a history of that Society: its formation, operations, personnel, funding and its identified immigrants.