‘Hope for happier days’: happiness in the letters between siblings in nineteenth- century middle-class Ulster families

Shannon Devlin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

Siblings formed vital connections in migratory family networks, creating links between scattered family members and those who remained at home. This chapter uses personal correspondence and family papers to explore expressions of happiness in letters between migrated siblings. With a particular focus on Ulster middle-class families, this chapter reveals how siblings were instrumental in maintaining networks of emotional support and prioritised each other’s emotional well-being and happiness. These networks offered comfort and were implemented by siblings as a strategy to combat separation anxiety. When faced with debilitating homesickness or the stark realisation of permanent migration, brothers and sisters sought and relied on reassurance from each other to alleviate their unhappiness.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHappiness in Nineteenth-Century Ireland
EditorsMary Hatfield
PublisherLiverpool University Press
Chapter9
Pages141-158
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9781800346765
ISBN (Print)9781800348257
Publication statusPublished - 13 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Sibling Relations
  • correspondence
  • Ulster
  • Migration
  • Separation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '‘Hope for happier days’: happiness in the letters between siblings in nineteenth- century middle-class Ulster families'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this