Museum director Corinna Schubert and Dr. Maximilian Marotz report on a phase of emigration from 19th century Wismar.
In the 19th century, people from Wismar traveled to all parts of the world. The second lecture of the museum's winter season, "Setting off into foreign lands", shows what they experienced along the way. There were major hurdles between hardship, curiosity and new beginnings: Anyone who decided to emigrate in the 19th century was confronted with a multitude of bureaucratic hurdles: First of all, emigration had to be applied for. This was followed by a personal appearance before the magistrate of the city of Wismar; papers had to be presented, employers questioned, obligations fulfilled and a consensus obtained from the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Only then could the long and often arduous journey begin.
Museum director Corinna Schubert and historian Dr. Maximilian Marotz shed light not only on the reasons and complex official procedures that led to the personal fates, but also on the challenges of the crossing and arrival in a foreign country. They offer fascinating insights into a moving chapter of regional migration history.
