Question

source: historical society of southern england
ships list of passengers bound for new england
names and ages of passengers checked as shipped through liverpool
20th of march 1635

1. joseph hall of somerset, a minister, aged 40 years
2. agnes hall, his wife, aged 35 years
3. john hall, his son, aged 15 years
4. joseph hall, his son, aged 13 years
5. priscilla hall, his daughter, aged 7 years
6. mary hall, his daughter, aged 5 years
7. temperance hall, his daughter, aged 3 years
8. grizel hall, his daughter, aged 3 years
9. dorcas hall, his daughter, aged 2 years
10. judith french, his servant, aged 20 years
11. john wood, his servant, aged 25 years
12. robert daby, his servant, aged 28 years
13. massachiel bernard of batcombe, clothier in the county of somerset, aged 24 years
14. mary bernard, his wife, aged 28 years
15. john bernard, his son, aged 3 years
16. nathaniel, his son, aged 1 year

1. timothy tabor, in someret of batcombe, tailor, aged 35 years
2. jane tabor, his wife, aged 35 years
3. jane tabor, his daughter, aged 10 years
4. anne tabor, his daughter, aged 8 years
5. sarah tabor, his daughter, aged 5 years
6. william fever, his servant, aged 20 years

1. john whitmarke, aged 39 years
2. alice whitmarke, his wife, aged 35 years
3. james whitmarke, his son, aged 7 years
4. jane, his daughter, aged 5 years
5. onseph whitmarke, his son, aged 2 years
6. rich whitmarke, his son, aged 1 year

1. robert lovell, husbandman, aged 40 years
2. elizabeth lovell, his wife, aged 35 years
3. zacheus lovell, his son, aged 15 years
4. anne lovell, his daughter, aged 16 years
5. john lovell, his son, aged 15 years
6. ellyn, his daughter, aged 1 year
7. james, his son, aged 1 year
8. joseph chickin, his servant, 16 years
9. alice kinham, aged 22 years
10. angell hollard, aged 21 years
11. katheryn, his wife, 22 years
12. george land, his servant, 22 years
13. sarah land, his kinswoman, 18 years

1. john hoble, husbandman, 13
2. robert huste, husbandman, 40....

what type of source is this? (primary or secondary and what is it)?

what is the bias of the author, as it relates to this essay question? what might account for this bias?

what overall observations may be made about this list of immigrants?

Explanation:

1. A primary source is an original record from the time period in question. A passenger or immigration list would be created at the time of arrival and thus is primary.
2. Bias in historical records can stem from the recorder's perspective, social norms, and practical limitations.
3. Analyzing the composition of the list reveals aspects about the demographics and social structure of the group of immigrants.

Answer:

1. Type of source: Primary source, likely a passenger list or immigration - related record.
2. Bias of the author: Without more context about the essay question, it's difficult to determine bias precisely. However, if it's a historical record - keeper, potential bias could be in omitting certain groups (e.g., only recording certain social classes or nationalities). Reasons for bias might include the record - keeping practices of the time, the interests of the recorder (e.g., focusing on those who could contribute to the new community), or limitations in the recording process.
3. Overall observations: The list includes a diverse range of individuals such as family units (husbands, wives, children), servants, and people of different occupations (tailor, clothier, husbandman). There is a spread of ages from infants to middle - aged adults.