86% of residents think Renfrewshire is a good place to live. 
Emigration
Home > About Renfrewshire > Our history and heritage > Emigration
In the 19th century, almost two million men, women and children left Scotland for a new life in a new country. The Scots have been remarkably successful emigrants; their impact has been felt in every corner of the globe.
For poverty, and to get bread
From the 1770s until the 1830s, emigration from Renfrewshire was driven by harsh economic conditions. Fluctuations in the weaving trade and economic crises caused great hardship. In one of the first large-scale emigrations, which included 300 people from Paisley, customs officials at the port of Greenock were asked to find reasons why so many wanted to leave Scotland. Instead of individual answers, the official wrote one answer for all - “for poverty, and to get bread”.
By the 1830s, those emigrating were more likely to be young, enterprising individuals hoping to make their fortune, or political refugees who had fallen foul of the authorities or were disillusioned with the lack of political progress.
By the 1830s, those emigrating were more likely to be young, enterprising individuals hoping to make their fortune, or political refugees who had fallen foul of the authorities or were disillusioned with the lack of political progress.
Many opted to try their luck in North America, and many would go on to play a positive role in their adopted country. Claud Wilson was an outspoken radical who emigrated to Lowell, Massachusetts and became a carpet manufacturer. He later organised contributions to the Paisley Relief Fund during the “hungry forties”. One of his descendants was President Ronald Reagan!
Find out more about the lives of Renfrewshire emigrants from the links on the right.
Find out more about tracing your family history.
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