Immigrant/Emigrant-Completed

[lil growler]

Hi folks

Just seeking confirmation that I'm on the right track because I've been getting a little confused about the words Immigrant and Emigrant and what they mean.

Am I right in thinking that an immigrant is people going to a country and emigrant is someone coming from a country.

Thanx

lil growler

[Tricia_2]

An immigrant is someone coming into the country and an emigrant is someone leaving the country.

Because of the potato famine, many Irish people emigrated to other countries.

In recent decades people from the ex-colonies have become immigrants to Britain.

[lil growler]

Thanks Tricia_2

You have clarified the meaning for me. I'll be able to use it in the right context now.

Many thanx and for replying so quickly

lil growler

[lil growler]

And great examples too!

[Tricia_2]

 

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Lil,

I'll be able to use it in the right context now.

And as far as the RootsChat context goes, just remember that we are UK based 

So the Immigrants Board is for ancestors and relatives coming TO the UK from other countries

and the Emigrants Board is for ancestors and relatives going FROM the UK to other countries

Bob

[dollylee]

so people are both....it's just whether or not you are in the "home" country or the new country as to what you call them 

I have always wondered why immigrant get's two m's and emigrant only gets one...hardly seems fair    but then that would be a different question wouldn't it???

no disrespect meant to your very good question lil growler.

dollylee

[Little Nell]

I think you will find the reason for the difference in the number of m's is due to the origin of the words.

The root is migrant from the Latin verb "migrare"

To this was added the prefix e- (meaning out of) to give emigrare, or in-  (meaning into or in)to give immigrare.  The combination of n & m is jolly difficult to pronounce and so became -mm-

Nell

[dollylee]

thank you for the explaination.

I knew it had something to do with the prefix but the n to an m confused me   

dollylee  looking for my immigrant ancestors who emigrated from the UK