Immigration in the 18th Century
Louise GelinasI am wondering what might have been the main reason for immigration in America (Canada especially) during the 18th Century. I have an ancestor born in Trondheim in 1752 who was married in Quebec City in 1794 to a French woman. Where there norwegians involved in any way during the American Revolution? Was there significant commercial exchange between Norway and Canada at that time? This man seemed to be acquainted with ships, his marriage contract says he was a pilot....
jwiborgHi, Norway has for long time been a maritime nation. Between 1870-1900, it is thought that 40000 norwegian sailors left their ship. Approx half of them came back, but the rest stayed, and are not in any emigration list... The Swedes established quite big communities in America in the 18th century, but for Norwegians, the emigration really didn't start until 1825. The organized Norwegian emigration to North America started on 4th of July 1825, when the ship "Restauration" left Stavanger harbour. Between 1820 and 1930, about 50 million Europeans emigrated, and of them approx 900 000 were Norwegians. With regards to population, that number was only beaten by Ireland. The main reasons for emigration in the 19 century was poverty, spirit of adventure and religious persecution. With regards to the 18th century, I'm not sure but he could be a sailor who just left the ship...[:)] Jan
LouiseThank you Jan ! I agree with your comment but there is something even more interesting with this man, which name was Pierre (Peter) Bougose (also seen Boors, Booze or Buouse...). He spoke three languages (according to his file as a Trinity House registered Pilot) which is a rare thing in those times. Moreover, his first son married a descendant of Catherine Baillon, Arsene Roussel, of a noble French lineage through the Miville-Deschênes family. It is very difficult for me to think that he was a simple dodger or the result of a mutiny. There must have been something else about him that I am missing here.... Louise