Migration

Migration from Norway to America really began in 1825. Before that time only
scattered individuals had come to America. The shipload of Norwegians came in
1825 left Norway for religious reasons, but most other Norwegian emigrants left for
economic reasons.
At the time of emigration, most of the people in Norway made a living from
agriculture, cattle-raising, and lumbering. The eldest son inherited his fathers
property, and he in turn took care of his aging parents. The younger sons had to
find another means of livelihood, therefore, many emigrated to the United States.
Earlier in history few children in each family reached adulthood, and it was not
difficult for them to find work. However, in the 1800s the population of Norway
increased rapidly. Smallpox vaccinations, increased cleanliness, and the availability
of Irish potatoes for food all contributed to the decrease in the mortality rate and
more children grew to adulthood. With larger families, the problem of finding work
for the younger sons became acute. Some found work in the growing towns and
cities of Norway, but others chose to emigrate and try their luck in another land.
About one million people left Norway as emigrants.
At the same time, large areas of the United States were being opened up to settlers,
and the railroad companies had large amounts of land to sell in order to finance the
building of the railroads. There was extensive advertising in foreign countries, and
letters from those already in America also encouraged emigration. Norwegians
flocked to the American Midwest. They preferred the wooded areas of Illinois,
Wisconsin and Minnesota, which were more like Norway; but many also settled on
the plains.
The trip to America was not easy; the immigrants were generally poor and had to
travel in steerage, which was crowded and did not provide more than the bare
essentials. When the immigrants arrived in America, they could not speak English,
they did not know the ways of the people, and they dressed differently, so they
were not always treated very well. They were often cheated by those who offered
services. From the port of entry, the long trip west began by railroad as far as
possible and then in covered wagons or on foot. Grandma Bremseth traveled by
railroad to Chicago and continued on to Mable, Minnesota, so I guess she was one of
the lucky ones.