A new world awaits

In episode 2 we followed the brave women who took the big step – leaving Norway in search of a new life. In episode 3 they embark on their journey across the sea.

Crossing the Atlantic was more than just another leg af the journey – it was a turning point in life. Through letters, diaries, and vivid scenes, we meet Gjertrud Rumohr Haug, Lina Svåi, Anna Slinde, Rakel Tonette Atlaksdatter and Linka Preus. They take us from the west coast of Norway, through cramped quarters and stormy nights, to the harbor in New York, where a new world awaits.

Seasickness, filth, hymn singing and folk dancing, and warm glances shared between fellow passengers – this episode tells a story of community and survival at sea, and of everything that had to be left behind in order to move forward.

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Script: Inger-Kristine Riber and Reidun Horvei

Co-editor: Katherine Jane Hanson

Narrators: Reidun Horvei and Ragnhild Gudbrandsen

Sound design: Inger-Kristine Riber

Supported by: Fritt Ord

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_{Books and Printed Sources:}

• ‍_{Anderson, R. B. (1896). The first chapter of Norwegian immigration (1821–1840): Its causes and results: With an introduction on the services rendered by the Scandinavians to the world and to America. Madison, WI.}
• _{Arkivverket. (n.d.). Collections for publication of sources: The America Letters, AV/RA-EA-4057/F/L0028: Loans from Vest-Agder, 1838–1914.}
• _{Bergland, B. A., & Lahlum, L. A. (Red.). (2011). Norwegian American Women: Migration, Communities, and Identities(Illustriert utg.). Taschenbuch.}
• _{Blegen, T. C. (1958). Amerikabrev (H. Geelmuyden, Trans.). Oslo: Aschehoug. (Original work published 1955 as Land of Their Choice)}
• _{Blom, I. (1992). Cappelens kvinnehistorie. 2: Renessanse, reformasjon, revolusjon: Fra ca. 1500 til i dag. Oslo: Cappelen.}
• _{Eide, O. J. (2005). The first emigrants from Rogaland to America: The story of fearless islanders and courageous pastors in Finnøy. [Sandnes]: O. J. Eide.}
• _{Guttersen, A. A., & Christensen, R. H. (Eds.). (1926). Souvenir "Norse-American women" 1825–1925: A symposium of prose and poetry, newspaper articles, and biographies, contributed by one hundred prominent women. St. Paul, MN: Lutheran Free Church Publishing Co.}
• _{Holand, H. R. (1930). The last great migration: Sagas from pioneer life in America (p. 331). Aschehoug.}
• _{Holst, P. A. (2005). A few words from those who left: Norwegian emigrants’ experiences in America told through newspaper articles, letters, and diaries (p. 48). Per A. Holst Publishing.}
• _{Holst, P. A. (2006). The immigrants in their own words: Experiences of the Norwegian settlers in the US as told in newspapers, letters, and diaries (p. 63). Per A. Holst Publishing.}
• _{Janson, K. (1881). American Conditions: Five lectures (p. 159). Gyldendalske Boghandels Forlag.}
• _{Kjeldeskriftfondet. (1992). From America to Norway: Letters from Norwegian emigrants (Vols. 1–7). Solum.}
• _{Koren, E. (2005). A young bride from Norway to Iowa, 1853–1855: From her diary and letters home, published in Decorah, Iowa in 1914 (p. 150). Per A. Holst Publishing.}
• _{Langeland, K. (2011). The Norwegians in America (p. 103). Per A. Holst Publishing.}
• _{Lovoll, O. S. (1997). Det løfterike landet: En norskamerikansk historie. [Oslo]: Universitetsforlaget.}
• _{Michelet, M. (1916). Glimpses from the life of Agnes Mathilde Wergeland (Memorial ed., p. 279). [M. Michelet].}
• _{Møller, A. (1988). Jørgine Boomer: The crofter’s daughter from Bøverdalen who became a millionaire and hostess at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York (p. 266, ill.). Cappelen.}
• _{Møller, A. (1979). Lina on the prairie: [Lina Svåi Olson]. Oslo: Aschehoug.}
• _{Nelson, P. H. (1979). The road and the wide open: Stories from the Norwegian pioneer life in America. A. E. Tufte.}
• _{Penne, B. (2020). Housemaid in America: A journey through my mother-in-law’s family history. Bjørg Penne.}
• _{Preus, C. D. M. K. (2008). Linka’s diary: A Norwegian immigrant story in word and sketches (p. 387). Lutheran University Press.}
• _{Semmingsen, I. (1941). Veien mot vest. [1]: Utvandringen fra Norge til Amerika 1825–1865 (2. oppl.). Oslo.}
• _{Semmingsen, I. (1950). Veien mot vest. [2]: Utvandringen fra Norge 1865–1915. Oslo: Aschehoug.}
• _{Stenseth, B. (2019). Mrs. Muus’s complaint: The marriage scandal that shook Norwegian America (1st ed.). Forlaget Press.}
• _{Testman, P., & Holst, P. A. (2010). A short description of the most important experiences during a stay in North America and on several related journeys (p. 20). Per A. Holst Publishing.}
• _{Wærenskjold, E., & Clausen, C. A. (1961). The lady with the pen: Elise Wærenskjold in Texas (Vol. 6, pp. XVII, 183, ill.). Norwegian-American Historical Association.}

_Anthologies:

• ‍_{Norsk emigrantlitteratur: Vol. 1. (2000). Writings: Anthology of Norwegian books and pamphlets published between 1837 and 1853, with accounts of America, the journey there, and what was needed to reach the Norwegian settlements in the Midwest (p. 434). P. A. Holst.}
• _{Norsk emigrantlitteratur: Vol. 2. (2000). Memoirs: Anthology of personal recollections, diaries, and letters home to Norway, with accounts of life and conditions in America and experiences during the emigration (p. 438). P. A. Holst.‍}
• _{From America to Norway: Letters from Norwegian emigrants. Vols. 1–7. Oslo: Solum.}

_{Websites and Podcasts:}

• ‍_{Kilden kjønnsforskning.no. (2017, April). The Gender Department, episode 5: Migration.}
• _{Polgreen, L. (2025, 31. januar). Something extraordinary is happening all over the world. The New York Times.}
• _{Klassekampen. (2025, February 15). The attack on the USA}

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_{Cover image: Women immigrants approach New York aboard ship in 1893 / Museum of the City of New York.}

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