Articles on Emigration, ships and the Atlantic Crossing

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

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...

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...

An example on what you may find in the maritime inscription records, and some information about where to find them. Sjøfartsannotasjonsrulle (youngster roll) - Sjøfartshovedrulle (main roll) - Styrmansrulle (mates) - Kapteinsrulle (captains)

An Act to regulate the Carriage of Passengers in Merchants Vessels from the United Kingdom to the Continent and Islands of North America (transcript)

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...

Hazel Evans of Faribault, MN, contributed some new pieces of information about this very dramatic voyage on the Marie in 1864

These snapshots were taken by Peder Georg Christian Pedersen in 1911, when he sailed as an officer on the S/S Oscar II. Pedersen served on the Scandinavian America Line steamships from 1902 till 1920, and became the master of the...

This is the account of Ingeborg Olsdatter Øye's journey on the S/S Tasso in 1880. Parts of Ingeborg Olsdatter Øye's diary is printed in Dordi Glærum Skuggervik's book: "Utvandringshistorie fra Nordmøre"

This paper first appeared in Symra, 10:120-157 (1913), under the title "En Amerika-reise for seksti aar siden." The child who figures in this story was the author's mother, Nicoline Hansen Hegg, who was born in 1844. She married the Reverend...

This articles was submitted by Karen Jeglum Kennedy. It is a wonderful story about the crossing on the Victoria from Drammen to Quebec in 1861. The story was told by Guri Thorsdatter Trøo Jeglum, wife of Kittel Jeglum, who lived...

This booklet was issued by the Thingvalla Line in 1887, and gives an interesting insight in the progress of emigration. This is a promotional pamphlet which was forwarded to potential travelers and emigrants. The booklet is written in Danish and...

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...

The collision between the S/S Thingvalla and the S/S Geiser - A passenger account of the disaster by A. B. Wilse, one of the most famous Norwegian photographers of his time.

Reports relating to the conveyance & transit of emigrants 1881 - 1882

This is the diary of Johan Nilsen and wife, Pernille Nielsdatter (with children) as they traveled to America. The diary was printed in "The Nilsen Saga," written by Arnold Borshem during the last few months before his death in 1956....

This is an account of the collision between the S/S Europa and brig Charles Bartlett in 1849. The previous year the Cunard steamship Europa had set a new transatlantic record when crossing from Liverpool to New York in 11 days...

Om pionerene som utvandret fra Hordaland til Amerika i 1837 og tragedien ved de første bosetninger i Illinois.

For many emigrants, reaching North America did not mean that the difficult part of the journey was over. The onward trip to destinations in the United States could involve complicated transportation arrangements, unexpected charges, overcrowding, illness, and disputes with agents...

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.

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...

"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...

The story of a Norwegian family traveling on the Sjofna in 1853

This account by a former sea captain was published in Norwegian under the title "Emigrantfart for 50-60 aar siden," in Nordmandsforbundet, I: 51-57 (1908), and it is printed here in translation with the permission of the editor of that periodical....

This story about the voyage on the bark Fædres Minde from Norway in 1854, was printed in the "Norwegian-American Studies, Volume 32" which was published by the Norwegian-American Historical Association in 1989. The book this selection is drawn from is...

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,...

The ship caught fire at sea. She was carrying a cargo of 8,000 bales of raw American cotton, and was the 73rd ship with such cargo to catch fire in only 5 months. The passengers and crew were rescued by...

In the spring of 1855, three brothers from Strandvik left Norway aboard the brig Haakon Adelsten, bound from Bergen for Quebec. Their later account described the extensive preparations for the voyage, the cramped conditions aboard, seasickness, storms, fog, an encounter...

Compiled from the three voyage accounts, the Limerick Chronicle, and St. Munchin's parish records.

Clair O. Haugen was a descendant of Norwegian emigrants who departed from Norway on the sailing vessel "Hannah Parr" In 1868. Clair collaborated on the Hannah Parr research with his friend James Overdahl, and their account of this voyage makes...

Excerpts from an article in the NEW YORK TIMES. It is dated Friday, August 17, 1888, page 2, column 3. Transcribed and contributed by Jeanne Nelson.

This story was submitted by Tyler Kanten, who's family came over on the Norden in 1864. Tyler's great, great, great grandparents came from Norway aboard the Norden and left some stories about the trip across the Atlantic. Not a very...

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...

A COLLECTION OF PRICE EXAMPLES

Altogether 67 Norwegian emigrants lost their life when the steamboats "Ogdensburg" and "Atlantic" collided on Lake Erie in 1852.

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...

The emigration contracts made out between the emigration agents and the emigrants.

In 1902 several thousand people were witnesses to the departure of one of the most spectacular crowds of emigrants ever to have left the port of Kristiania. This happened when almost 500 young Norwegians boarded the S/S Manchester Shipper at...

I 1902 ble mange tusen mennesker vitne til at et av de mest selsomme utvandrerfølger noen sinne forlot Kristiania, da ca 500 unge menn gikk ombord i dampskipet Manchester Shipper ved Vippetangen.

This is an excerpt from "The ANDERSON FAMILY HISTORY" Written and Compiled by Albert G. Anderson, Jr., 1949 and privately published. Submitted and prepared by Eleanor H. Erdevig

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.

Yet another account about the crossing on the Marie in 1864, told by Hanna Jacobson Starks to her niece Sophia Jacobson Quarness.

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.

Documents sent to the Storting by Norwegian immigrants in the United States during the Dissolution of Norway's Union with Sweden in 1905

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), Canadian Arrivals, Canadian...

While interest in the harsh realities faced by transatlantic emigrants continues to grow, authentic photographs of steerage conditions remain remarkably elusive. Shipping lines heavily documented their opulent first-class quarters for promotional campaigns, leaving the dark, crowded living spaces of third...

Information & advice for emigrants issued by the Allan Line in 1883. The line was then under contract with the Canadian Government for conveyance of Assisted Passengers.

This is an account of the crossing on the ship Olaf from Christiania to Quebec in 1867. It was written in John O. Tansem's diary. The story has been submitted by Wallace Tansem, the grandson of John O. Tansem

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...

This article is a collage of edited cutaways from contemporary sources. It focuses on the development of the machinery used in the transatlantic steamships up till about 1910.

Excerpted from an account written in about 1905 by Ole Ellingsen Strand

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...

Ships and rigging, an explanatory article about different kind of rigs and ships, nautical terms like the "tween deck", and so on

Kiwi Vikings and a little bit of Norway Downunder. Norsewood historical background

As Norwegian mass emigration surged following the American Civil War, predatory agents and horrific shipboard conditions led to rampant exploitation and suffering on the Atlantic crossing. In response to public outcry, the Norwegian government passed a landmark law in 1869,...

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...

History and contemporary practice as seen by an Englishman at the turn of the century

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...

This is an excerpt from a letter dated May 10, 1925 and written by Ole Dahl to his brother Gustav Dahl. It was translated into English by Louise Dahl Nelson, daughter of Gustav. The excerpt was submitted by Gary Urban

Ole Lokensgard, "Pioneer Stories," The Lokensgard Family, a Collection of Reminiscences, St. Paul Minnesota, 1994. (2d Printing). Originally published under the title "Nybygger Historier," in Hallingen, a Norwegian language monthly publication by and for immigrants from Hallingdal, Norway.

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

Snapshots taken by Heinrich (Henry) Ioganowitsch Arnowitz during 1917 on a convoy from Halifax to Great Britain.

About the dangers and hardships he and his family went through when coming to America on the ship Marie in 1864.

In processing immigrants, the Inspectors utilized the Federal Custom Declarations/Passenger Manifests provided by the ship captains to process the immigrants and referred to the names as provided on the lists. Only Third Class passengers were processed on Ellis Island; First and...

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...

The story and illustrations showing various incidents and phases of the operations of recovering the the dead, the cargo and valuables from the wreck of the S/S Atlantic conducted off Marr's Island in 1873

Relying entirely on their own rations to survive weeks at sea, emigrants packed chests and kegs with preserved meats, flatbread, and beer, squeezing them into cramped holds and walkways. When Atlantic storms struck, these loosely lashed provisions frequently broke free,...

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...

The Scandinavian America Line was started in 1898 as a new department of the Danish steamship company "DFDS". The company took over the Thingvalla Line and continued the service between Copenhagen and New York with four of the old Thingvalla...

Tracing Norwegian ancestors across the Atlantic requires navigating shifting sea routes, multi-leg steamship journeys via British ports, and significant archival gaps—most notably between 1853 and 1865. Yet across police registers, shipping manifests, and arrival lists on both sides of the...

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.

In the early days of transatlantic migration, "steerage" was little more than a converted cargo hold directly beneath the main deck, accessed via steep ladders and narrow hatches. Built without regulation, these crude, temporary partitions were designed solely for cheap...

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,...

This article by Erling Viksund was first published in "Vaksdal Historielags Årbok" 2004. This is the story about the pioneers who emigrated from Hordaland to Amerika on the Ægir in 1837, and the tragedy in the first settlements in Illinois.

The Allan Line maintained a fleet of steamers departing from Liverpool twice a week. These steamships offered a cost-effective and efficient way to cross the Atlantic. The route was favored for its safety and convenience, as passengers spent minimal time...

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

For researchers tracing Norwegian emigrants transiting through Britain, the British Board of Trade outbound passenger lists serve as an indispensable gateway to their transatlantic crossing. While short-sea arrival records from Scandinavia were routinely destroyed, these departure manifests from 1890 onward...

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF CANADA –SEARCHING THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION RECORDS (1925-1935) DATABASE

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...

This article was provided by Marion Kelch, chairperson of the Empress of Ireland Artifacts Committee. The Empress of Ireland sank in the St. Lawrence River the night of May 29, 1914, after colliding with the Norwegian collier S/S Storstad. The...

This is a transcript from the Harpers Weekly of November 24, 1888. It gives a report about the collision between the S/S Umbria of the Cunard Line, and the S/S Iberia of the Fabre Line. The disaster renewed an ongoing...

This account is taken from a log kept by John Headland, and was submitted to us by Dolores Shirts

This is an extract from the diary of an emigrant who departed from Trondhjemn on the S/S Juno on June 1st - 1893, and arrived to Boston on the S/S Gallia of the Cunard Line on June 17th

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 of the gospel...

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

In 1879, the new Guion Line record-breaker S/S Arizona, while on a voyage from New York to Liverpool, ran at full speed into a huge iceberg. She proceeded to St. John's for repairs with her bow completely smashed almost as...

This fragment of Gulbran Olsen Berge's diary, in an anonymous translation, is owned by Diane Hanson. Notes by Clair O. Haugen.

Castle Garden served as a reception hall and temporary home of nine million immigrants from it was opened on Aug 1, 1855 to it was closed down on April 18, 1890. From then on the Immigration Processing Centers for New...

The following description is based on a voyage account from 1873, written by C. K. Fjærestad. It was printed in "Nordmæmdeme i Amerika, deres historie og record", Minneapolis, Minn 1907. Translated and edited by Børge Solem in 2000.

The following letter was written to friends and family in Gausdal by Iver Iversen Ruud, who with his wife and large family was a passenger on the Hannah Parr. Ruud was 44.

This account was contributed by Ann Dockwell. Ann Dockwell's grandfather and grandmother came to Quebec on the Refondo. The account was written by one of Ann's relatives who was also on the ship. It is interesting and tells about many...

The following accounts offer rare firsthand descriptions of Norwegian emigration during the mid-nineteenth century. Both were preserved by Martin Ulvestad in his book "Nordmændene i Amerika" and were contributed by pioneers who settled in Rock County, Wisconsin. Although they describe...

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...

The story below is part of a biography written by Mads Knudsen Fauske. The ship Marie of Bergen, mastered by Capt. Christensen, was hit by a hurricane, and lost the rig on way Bergen - Quenbec

This article and engraving of the S/S Thingvalla was printed in the Scientific American in November 1888.

From a version published in "En emigrants reise", Gausdals-minne (vol.2, 1987) Translation and notes copyrighted 2000 Clair O. Haugen. All rights reserved.

This voyage account from the crossing on the Præciosa in 1861 was submitted by Holly Batton. It was written by Orabel Thortvedt who was the cousin of Holly's grandfather. She wrote the story in 1928.

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

This article about the rescue of the passenger on the S/S Danmark in 1889, is really a magnificent story. The steamer Missouri mastered by Captain Murrell rescued in mid-ocean the 735 passengers and crew from the disabled and sinking steamship,...

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

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...

This story is an account from the crossing on the Fauna in 1868. It is chapter V in the book THE SELVIG STORY. The story was submitted by Bill Selvig, who's family was on the ship in 1868. Written by...

Eleven of the Scotsman's Passengers lost - WHILE LEAVING THE WRECKED STEAMSHIP - ALL WERE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Vessel is a Total Loss - Particulars of the Disaster - Great Suffering Endured. A transcript from the Saint John Globe, bringing...

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...

A newspaper account concerning the sinking of the S/S DANMARK. It has been transcribed and submitted by Kristin Brue.

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...

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.

This story was written by Thor Sigurdson who traveled on the Maple Leaf from Skien to Quebec in 1861. It is a wonderful story, and it provides quite a vivid picture of the trek of many emigrants from Norway. The...

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.

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...

This series explores the transatlantic journey undertaken by Norwegian emigrants bound for America between 1825 and 1925. Across several chapters, it examines both the human experience on board and the dramatic maritime evolution—from small wooden sailing ships to modern steam...

A transatlantic voyage by sail was an agonizing gamble with wind and weather, spanning anywhere from 25 to over 100 grueling days in the hold. The dawn of the steam age transformed emigration by slashing crossing times to a single...

The transatlantic crossing took its most devastating toll on infants and young children, who made up the vast majority of casualties in the squalid between-decks. Yet amid the heartbreak of makeshift sea burials and rampant illness, new life still emerged—often...

From the modest 1825 voyage of the sloop Restauration to the massive sailing ships of later decades, the mass exodus to America was made possible only by rapid advancements in transatlantic transport. Over the course of a century, hundreds of...

The emigration experience. The ships underwent a tremendous development since mass migration began during the mid-1860s. During the 1890s, most companies began selling tickets in three different class categories, and the steerage disappeared. The majority of emigrants that earlier had...

The transition from sail to steam marked a significant chapter in the history of transatlantic emigration. This transformation not only improved travel times but also shaped the experience of emigrants seeking a new life in America. From the early days...

Far beyond navigating the Atlantic, the captain held near-absolute authority over the daily survival and welfare of hundreds of cramped passengers. Balancing hygiene enforcement, resource management, and crisis leadership through storms and epidemics, a capable and compassionate captain often meant...

Daily life for steerage passengers on board emigrant ships involved a variety of routines and duties. Weather permitting, passengers would usually spend time on deck. Some occupied themselves with cleaning, while others played games to pass the time. On some...

The traveling process and crossing as described 1888.

These accounts from the voyage of the Sirius from Bergen to Quenbec in 1866, are reprinted with the kind permission of the Valdres Samband. They were first published in "Budstikken", December 1980, and "Budstikken" December 1981. There were were references...

Did you meet the brick wall while researching your Norwegian ancestors online? This article might give some new clues.

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 of vessel, passenger lists,...

Records of the U.S. Customs Service (1820 - ca. 1891), Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, (1891 - 1957)

An Act regulating passenger ships and vessels. (Transcription)

"Greatest Ship Built Comes to Port at new York - White Star Liner Baltic Completes Maiden Voyage - STEAMSHIP 726 FEET LONG - Made Trip from Liverpool in 7 Days 13 Hours and 37 Minutes-Brought 906 Passengers