i have been looking at emmigration lists again in a book called 'after the Hector' the scottish poineers of nova scotia and cape breton 1773 - 1852.. by Lucille H. Campey

i came across some passenger lists from earlier emmigrations ( than the people from Handa) each occupation is listed .. its seems that all the womens occupations were listed as 'spinsters'.. i didn't know being a spinster was an occupation !!!

on a sadder note on some passenger lists 'cause of emmigration' was listed ...

• farm taken from him
• rent raised but could not live by it
• want of employment