Were younger siblings more likely to leave Europe for the Americas? (lemm.ee)

submitted 6 months ago by meep_launcher@lemm.ee to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world

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I remember way back someone talking about how most European explorers to the new world were younger siblings, as back in Europe older siblings were more likely to inherit land/ family business/ be more successful in general, leading to younger siblings leaving to try and find success abroad. Is there any truth to this theory?

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[-] phoneymouse@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago

Yeah, I’ve heard this. It was the concept of primogeniture.

[-] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 months ago

I haven’t heard that theory but it’s true for me. 😁

[-] meep_launcher@lemm.ee 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

I mean this is completely anecdotal and probably has no grounding for this discussion, but I'm a younger sibling who is less financially successful than my older sibling, and I moved from Seattle to Chicago in hopes to have better success in a creative field. My sister is doing well in a similar career as my parents and just bought their house from them as they downsize for retirement.

[-] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

I’d think so. But my grandpa was the oldest and he left Germany for America, so the family farm went to the oldest daughter and is no longer in our family.

this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2024

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