12th June 2025 Emigration to North America Bicentenary

Between 1836 and 1915, over 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to America, giving Norway the highest emigration rate among the Nordic countries relative to its population. The first recorded journey was made by the pinnace Restauration from Stavanger to New York in 1825, led by Cleng Peerson. This voyage marked the beginning of Norwegian emigration to North America, and the arrival on 9 October is celebrated as Leiv Eiriksson Day in the United States.

Emigration began in rural areas, particularly in the fjord villages in the West and the eastern mountain villages in the East, but over time, emigration expanded from predominantly rural farmers to include urban dwellers. The early decades were characterised by family emigration, with husbands often travelling ahead to establish a living before their families made the journey.

The reasons for emigration in Norway were numerous and complex, including poverty, oppression, class division, overpopulation, and economic regulations. A spirit of adventure and rumours of cheap farmland in America also played a role. Many were drawn to America by the promise of cheap farmland, civil rights and freedom of religion.

Most Norwegians settled in the central states of the Midwest: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, the Dakotas and Iowa. However, states such as New York, Washington, and California also saw increasing Norwegian settlement. Emigrants maintained contact with family back home through so-called “America letters” , bringing knowledge of a foreign land to even the most remote corners of Norway.