Southern Migration

Black migrants had various problems adjusting to urban life so they used many of the same resources as other immigrants. Networks of relationships among blacks in major northern cities resulted in a considerably smooth transition to Boston. These relationships were maintained by black newspapers, personal contacts, as well as letters. Organizations such as the national anti slavery movement provided contacts of communication between black communities. These mechanisms eased the difficulties of Black unskilled and semiskilled workers who traveled frequently in search of employment. It allowed them to develop a network of acquaintances in northern cities. Within the community, those without these influential relationships, found the transition increasingly difficult. If unskilled migrants had no contacts they usually wandered around …show more content…
However, at times of economic crises, migrants as well as non migrants boarded with friends and relatives. Boarding houses became a place where migrants were able to interact with natives and share mutual concerns. Therefore, boardinghouse groups were frequently utilized in fugitive slave rescues. The decrease in boarders was a result of southern migration in 1860. This is because most southern-born migrants entered Boston with skills such as carpentry, blacksmithing, or tailoring, allowing them to maintain independent residences. Additionally, single women were more likely to board with families than in large boarding houses. This is because work opportunities were limited for migrant black women so they would end up providing services for their host families. For some women this was enough to support their living expenses. However, almost all black women who worked outside of their families were forced to work as domestic servants in the white community. Apart from boarding houses, the most essential institution in the free black community was the