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- The S/S Atlantic of the White Star Line, disaster in 1873
About the sinking of the S/S Atlantic and the Norwegian and Scandinavian passengers involved. This ship went down off Halifax in 1873, of the 957 passengers aboard, 545 lost their lives
- Those Norwegian names, tips for the "online" researcher
Did you meet the brick wall while researching your Norwegian ancestors online? This article might give some new clues.
- PORT OF NEW YORK PASSENGER RECORDS
Jo Anne has written several research articles for the Southern California Genealogical Society Journal, The Searcher. This is an updated, shorter version of her article regarding the New York Passenger Records. It originally appeared in the November/Decem
- Maritime inscription - registers of seamen
An example on what you may find in the maritime inscription records, and some information about where to find them.
- Hunting Passenger Lists
An article describing how, and where, to look for passenger information about Norwegian emigrants. Featuring: US Arrivals, Records of the U.S. Customs Service, (1820 - ca. 1891), Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, (1891 - 1957), Canadi
- THE 31 NORWEGIANS ON THE "TITANIC"
When the legendary Titanic set sail from Queenstown, Ireland, her last port of call, on 11 April 1912, there were 31 passengers of Norwegian origin on board. This article tells the story of how the 31 travelled to the Titanic, and is mainly based on Chapt
- The collision between the Thingvalla and the Geiser - STORY OF THE SURVIVORS
The Thrilling Story of the Sinking of the Gesier, The S/S Thingvalla arrives in port. From The Halifax Morning Herald Mon. 20 Aug. 1888. THE CATASTROPHE OFF SABLE ISLAND, Captain Møller's Version. —A Passenger says The Thingvalla Officers Are to Blame. —A
- The Collision between the Thingvalla and the Geiser, Details of the disaster
The Thrilling Story of the Sinking of the Gesier, The S/S Thingvalla arrives in port. From the Halifax Morning Herald Sat. Aug 18, 1888
- S/S Montebello - embarkation in Christiania
- Hunting Passenger Lists & Genealogy
A selection of articles dedicated to help you in your search for your Norwegian ancestors. Also including articles about Pioneers & Norwegian Settlements Around the World
- Ships & Disasters
Articles about selected ships, Transcripts and pictures of historic documents in connection with the ships and emigration.
- NORSEWOOD - NEW ZEALAND
Kiwi Vikings and a little bit of Norway Downunder. Norsewood historical background
- The Transatlantic Crossing
This article focuses mainly on the transatlantic journey. It is the story of how the Norwegians going to America in the time between 1825 and 1925 would travel. It also gives some insight to the amazing development in how ships were constructed and the tr
- Passenger Act 1819
An Act regulating passenger ships and vessels. (Transcription)
- Nice to know - Things to know about ships
Ships and rigging, an explanatory article about different kind of rigs and ships, nautical terms like the "tween deck", and so on
- Passenger Act 1828
An Act to regulate the Carriage of Passengers in Merchants Vessels from the United Kingdom to the Continent and Islands of North America (transcript)
- Sources - Time line - Records to Norwegian emigrants
This is a diagram which shows the most important records to Norwegian emigration.
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF CANADA –SEARCHING THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION RECORDS (1925-1935) DATABASE
Have you come across an ancestor whose life story intrigues you? Does one person in particular stand out from the crowd? Did this ancestor live in Canada, then this article will be a very good tip about where to look next.
- Agent's authorization
This are examples of authorization papers issued for a agents representing steamship companies in Norway. They were issued by the general agent in Norway, and co-signed by the police.
- Emigration contracts - passenger contracts
The emigration contracts made out between the emigration agents and the emigrants.
- Migration from Northern Europe to America via the Port of Hull, 1848-1914
During the period 1836 - 1914 Hull developed a pivotal role in the movement of transmigrants via the UK. During this period over 2.2 million transmigrants passed through Hull. For a long period of time this was the most common route for Norwegian emigrant
- The gathering to Zion - Mormon emigration from Norway
On 11th September 1851 the first missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Norway. The early Mormon missionaries experienced enormous difficulties as they travelled throughout Denmark, Norway and Sweden spreading the word
- The LONG Crossing of the Hannah Parr - Background Essay
The fascinating story of the Hannah Parr crossing the atlantic in 1868, the ship encountered serious trouble on the way. This is probably one of the best documented crossings of a norwegian emigrant ship of that era, thanks to Clair O. Hagen and James Ove
- The Sloopers - pioneers in Norwegian emigration
On July 5 1825 the sloop Restaurasjon left from Stavanger with 52 people aboard. This is considered to be the first organized emigration party to leave from Norway.
- Amund O. Eidsmoe's Story of His Own Life
"The Norwegian Settler's Story" - Including an account of his voyage and his history of the disaster on Lake Erie. Robert R. Eidsmoe of Rio Verde, Arizona, the grandson of Amund forwarded an extract from his story, and have granted us permission to presen
- Disaster on Lake Erie in 1852
Altogether 67 Norwegian emigrants lost their life when the steamboats "Ogdensburg" and "Atlantic" collided on Lake Erie in 1852.
- The SURVIVORS OF the S/S NORGE
This transcript of an article printed in The Alexandria Post on Thursday 21 July 1904, was submitted by Debbie Dahl-Cole. Tom Solberg who is a genealogist for the Douglas County Historical Society in Minnesota furnished the article.
- The Great Liners
How great were the liners really? - We are displaying some pictures from a Cunard Line "Comparisons" booklet issued by the company some time around 1925
- A voyage from Norway to America in 1911
A voyage from Bergen - Newcastle on the S/S Hera, Liverpool - New York on the S/S Mauretania. The story was told by Bastian Fylling from Fyllingen in Hamre Parish north of Bergen. The story is about his voyage from Norway to America in 1911. It is present
- Statistics concerning the transatlantic crossing
How long did it take to cross the Atlantic by sail? What was the The average crossing time? How long did the longest voyage last? Find out more from our figures relating to data based on 589 voyages.
- Sanitary Condition of Emigrants arriving in the Port of Hull
This is the 5th of 5 reports dealing with the conditions of Scandinavian emigrants traveling from Scandinavian ports on the Wilson Line ships, to the Port of Hull. This 5th report is written by Hubert Airy, the Medical Officer in Hull. It is a report abou
- Concerning the comfort and protection of emigrants passing through Hull
This is the 4th of 5 reports dealing with the conditions of Scandinavian emigrants traveling from Scandinavian ports on the Wilson Line ships, to the Port of Hull. This 4th report is written by W. Cowie., to the Board of Trade in England in 1882. This is
- Conditions for emigrants on the voyage from Christiania to Hull
This is the first of 5 reports dealing with the conditions of Scandinavian emigrants traveling from Scandinavian ports on the Wilson Line ships, to the Port of Hull. This first report is written by Charles P Wilson, Principal Officer at the Marine Departm
- Conditions for emigrants on the voyage from Gothenburg to Hull
This is the second of 5 reports dealing with the conditions of Scandinavian emigrants traveling from Scandinavian ports on the Wilson Line ships, to the Port of Hull. This second report is written by Charles P Wilson, Principal Officer at the Marine Depar
- Accommodation for emigrants in Hull
Reports relating to the conveyance & transit of emigrants 1881 - 1882
- Prospects from Hull
Many emigrants traveled via Hull on their way to America, they would have disembarked from their steam packet at the "Steam Packet Wharf". This landing stage was located within the Humber Dock Basin. This page shows a collection of prospects from the diff
- Memories from a voyage on the Christiane in 1851
Excerpted from an account written in about 1905 by Ole Ellingsen Strand
- Cost of passage, Norway - America
A COLLECTION OF PRICE EXAMPLES
- The Anchor Line and Allan Line agents, 1870 newspaper campaign
The cooperation between the competing companies was not always smooth. In 1870 there was quite a newspaper campaign between the agent of the Anchor Line and the Allan Line
- Alardus - German fever ship from Hamburg to Queensland
Ian Gordon of Perth, Western Australia, has compiled a document concerning extracts from the newspapers of the day in connection to the passage of the fever ship Alardus. The voyage is known to have been one of the longest of any ship sailing from Germany
- Emigrants departing from home
- OUTBRAKE OF CHOLERA AND QUARANTINE AT NEW YORK HARBOR 1892
Transcriptions of two articles about the quarantine facilities and outbreak of Cholera in New York harbor 1892, originally printed in the Harpers Weekly Journal of Civilization September 17, 1892
- The Sinking of the Norge
This article was forst printed in the Budstikken, May 2005. The Budstikken is a publication of the Valdres Samband. The article was transcribed for this site by Jo Anne Sadler, and is reprinted here with kind permission of Valdres Samband and Dan Hovland
- Norwegian Traits - as seen by a traveler to Norway in 1876
This is a transcript of an article printed in Scribners Magazine 130 years ago. It is quite interesting reading, hmmm...., I wonder what has changed. I thought this article would be nice reading for Christmas. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!
- Emigrants departing for Hull
- NORWEGIAN RURAL CUSTOMS AND COSTUMES
History and contemporary practice as seen by an Englishman at the turn of the century
- The S/S Norge disaster - newspaper reports
This is the story of the sinking of the Norge as reported day by day in the press. The ship went down on June 28th 1904, and by July 4th the news were all over the front pages of the mayor newspapers. Jo Anne Sadler has transcribed the reports from The Ne
- The promenade deck - S/S United States
- THE TALE OF THE UMBRIA, shaft breaking in mid-Atlantic, 1892
In lat. 42 48 N., long. 57 17 W., a strong breeze was blowing from the north-west. At 5.25 p.m. the engines stopped, owing to the shaft breaking at the thrust block. The wind and sea were moderate. The repairs to the shaft lasted four days, and took place
- THE RECORD RACE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
The Hamburg Liner "Deutchland's" Victory, winning the blue riband from the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, when crossing the Atlantic from New York to Plymouth in 5 days 7 hours and 38 minutes
- S/S FREDERIK VIII - agent Lie
- Passengers on the 3rd class promenade deck
- The Sinking of the Waesland
The Waesland was built in 1867, and was an old ship when she sank off the Anglesey coast of Wales after colliding in the fog with the Harmonides in 1902. There were two casualties resulting from this incident and the Waesland was also lost.
- Scandinavian America Line, departure Copenhagen
- United States - Passenger act of 1882
This is an act regulating many aspects of the activities aboard an emigrant ship. It deals with accommodations, light and air provisions, medical attendance, discipline and cleanliness, privacy of passengers, carrying of explosives and cattle, boarding o
- THE CASTLE GARDEN FIRE - 1876
On Sunday afternoon, July 9, 1876, a fire destroyed the main immigration depot building within the walls of the old stone fortress. At the time of the fire there were 120 immigrants in the building. It was supposed that nearly one thousand pieces of bagga
- Steerage passengers on deck
- ANDERS MONSON HOGHAUG, A Norwegian pioneer
Biography of Anders Monson Hoghaug, born in Aadalen 1842. He emigrated to America on the Refondo in 1868, and lived to be 100 years old, passing away in 1943. The biography tells about the voyage, the many moves in America, his return to Norway after the
- Passengers boarding at Kristiansand
- Cunard Liner Mauretania leaving the Tyne after lauch
- Emigrants departing Copenhagen
- Junior Marine Engineer on Frederik VIII, 1923-25
This is part of William Elmgreen's (1902-1990) autobiography. He was born in Denmark, and grew up in Lemvig, Jutland. In 1923 he became a Junior Marine Engineer on the Scandinavian America Line steamship "Frederick VIII", and sailed on her till 1925.
- The Guion Line steamer Arizona colliding with an iceberg in 1879
In 1879 the new Buion Line record breaker S/S Arizone on voyage New York - Liverpool, ran full speed into a huge iceberg, proceeded to St. John's for repairs with her bow completely smashed up almost to the collision bulkhead
- Abaft
What is the abaft of a ship?
- Aft
What is the aft of a ship?
- Athwart
- Thwartships
- Alleyway
What is an alleyway on a ship?
- Altitude
- Hold
- Ballast
- Early Norwegian Immigrants on the Erie Canal
Immigrants who arrived at the Port of New York from 1825 to the early 1850's and were going to the Mid-west most likely would have traveled on the Erie Canal. This narrative is not meant to be a definitive history of the Erie Canal but to convey some of
- The transatlantic passage by Norddeutscher Lloyd steamers, Bremen - Southampton - New York.
The traveling process and crossing as described 1888.
- Bridge
What is the bridge of a ship?
- GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS-SECOND CLASS. White Star Line ca. 1905
This article contains information and bill of fare for White Star Line passengers traveling second class about 1905. There are second class plans for the steamships Celtic, Cedric, Baltic Teutonic, Majestic and Oceanic.
- Hannah Parr anonymous woman’s voyage account 1868
Anonymous woman’s voyage account published in Morgenbladet 11 June 1868. Found by
Trond Austheim during a search for emigrant ship news stories for Norway Heritage. Clipping
facsimiles received from Børge Solem. Translation © 2009 Clair O. Haugen.
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On May 22nd, 1869 a new law was passed, concerning the conveyance of passengers to foreign parts of the world. This law was intended to protect the emigrants against trickery from the emigration agents and the companies they represented. Prior to this, complaints had been going on for several years, and in 1867 the government decided that they wanted to keep control with the activities of the emigration agents. A temporary act was passed in Nay 1867, and the Police Commissioners were given the task of controlling the fulfillment of the given regulations. From then the police started keeping registers of emigrants and agents, and those registers are what we now know as the police emigration records, a treasured source by genealogists. The words in brackets [!] has been added by the translator, Børge Solem, for clarification reasons
Act concerning control of conveyance of emigrants to foreign parts of the world
Ulikshal Castle 22nd. May 1869
We Carl, of God's mercy, King to Norway, Sweden, the Goths and Vendes - Hereby declare: That We have been exhibited, the now assembled proper Parliament's decision of April 1st. this year, in the following terms:
§ 1.
Nobody must act as a commissioner or agent, for conveyance of emigrants from the Kingdom to foreign parts of the world, without a written authorization form the police commissioner at the place where he has his head office, or from where he is conducting his activities.
§ 2.
Before such authorization can be given, the agent must deposit a security at the amount decided by the Police Commissioner, for the minimum of 2000 and the maximum of 7000 Spd.*, in the manner of bondsman surety or by deposing securities. When deciding the level of security, it should be taken to consideration whether the conveyance is to end at the landing stage, or is also to cover the inland voyage, if so the level must not be lower then 5000 Spd. The security covers for all obligations the agent has in relation to the emigrant, or for any violation of this act (See §§ 7 and 10).
The deposited security can not be withdrawn by the agent before his obligations can be assumed to be fulfilled, which is normally not assumed to be before 6 months after the agent has discontinued his business. If he has made arrangements to convey emigrants to countries at the other side of "Cape Good Hope" or "Cape Horn", the time before his obligations are fulfilled is assumed to be 1 year after he has discontinued his business.
§ 3.
If the agent intends to do business on several places, the Police Commissioner on the place where the authorization was first given must be informed, and the authorization paper must be shown before the Police Commissioner in every district where the agent intends to do business.
Permission for other persons to do business on behalf of the agent, must be done by a written authorization, which after it has been signed by the Police Commissioner in the district where the [general] agent's authorization was given, must be shown before the Police Commissioner in any district where the [sub] agent intends to do business as representative for the [general] agent.
The [general] agent is in every manner responsible for the acts of his representatives.
§ 4.
The authorization mentioned in § 1 is valid only till December 31st of the year when it is issued, and can be withdrawn by the Police Commissioner at any time.
The deposited security can at any time be demanded increased within the maximum limit mentioned in § 2.
§ 5. The Police Commissioner shall report to the Department about every authorization issued, and about any withdrawn authorizations, as well as the amount of security deposited.
§ 6.
The agent is to produce a written contract between him and the emigrant, which must contain detailed information about in what manner, and to which destination the emigrant and his clothing shall be conveyed, whether there is any obligations regarding the feeding and lodging of the emigrant in case the ship due to any misfortune, should have to remain in port, about further transportation in case of shipwreck, or if the ship for other reasons can not complete the voyage. It shall also contain information about the payment details, like how much the emigrant has paid for the voyage, and if any further payment should be paid later during the voyage.
Any other conditions, that for practical reasons should be given further clarification, shall be left up to the King to determine.
Any agreement involving arrangements that implements the journey to be paid for in total or partly by the performance of labor following arrival at the foreign destination is null and void, and will result in a punishment in form of a fine for the agent in accordance with § 10.
The contract shall be shown before the police commissioner, and must bear his signature to be valid; the document shall then be handed to the emigrant who, if possible, should personally be present to receive it.
§ 7.
If any emigrant wishes to make complaints about missing fulfilment of the contract, it should be done immediately to the nearest Consul. If the matter can not be solved with the help of the Consul's mediation, he shall make to his knowledge all facts, and send his report to the Department. There the disagreement will be settled with a binding decision for the agent, within the limits of the deposited security, as far as the responsibility of the agent has not been transferred to the Norwegian Treasury, due to compensations given by the government in the agent's place. If the Treasury has such a claim to put forwards, the case will be transferred to the common court of justice, as the department can then act as the emigrant's counsel.
§ 8.
When the decision of the department has turned against the agent, the emigrant's claim will be covered by withdrawal of funds from the security deposed by the agent.
§ 9.
Any regulations the implementation of this act involves, shall be reported to the King, or those acting as his representatives.
§ 10.
Violation of the regulations mentioned in this act, will be punished, with fines from 10 to 200 Spd., as far as the violation does not also involve violation of other laws, which will normally give a higher punishment, and shall be paid to the police.
When the agent applies for the authorization mentioned in § 1, he must present to the Police Commissioner, the name of a man living at the place where he is doing business, who shall be his deputy, and to who any claims can be directed in his absence, as if he were there himself
§ 11.
The above mentioned regulations regarding emigration agents, is also in force for any broker, shipping agent, or ship's master who are making arrangements to convey emigrants without being represented by an emigration agent. Though, it is permitted to take aboard any ship going to foreign parts of the world, a number of emigrants, not exceeding 20, without the regulations in this law being in force.
Approved by the King, and effected at Ulriksdal Castle 22nd. May 1869
* Spd. - Speciedaler was used as the main currency in Norway between 1816 and 1872. One Speciedaler could be divided in to 5 ort (mark) or in to 120 Skilling. The abbreviation for Speciedaler is Spd. Between 1872 and 1874 the currency was changed from Speciedaler to Kroner. 1 Speciedaler was made equal to 4 Kroner. 1 Krone is divided into 100 øre. The abbreviation used for Kroner is Kr. or NOK.
In 1859 10 Spd. would be just about 11,9 USD
In 1866 10 Spd. would be just about 16,0 USD
In 1867 10 Spd. would be just about 11,8 USD
In 1868 10 Spd. would be just about 11,7 USD
In 1867 10 Spd. would be just about 11,6 USD
100 1867 Spd. is equivalent to 20138 - 1997 NOK which was about 2582 - 1997 USD.
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