Taking Leave

In episode 1 we explored the historical background of Norwegian emigration—what drove people to leave and what did the world look like to those who made the great leap.

In this episode we take a closer look at the act of departure itself. Leaving Norway in the 19th century was not just a physical transition but also an emotional and social rupture. For most, home was a lifelong anchor, and breaking free from the security of family, kinship ties and the last itself was dramatic. Yet, many women chose to leave—hoping for freedom, new opportunities, and a chance to shape their own future.

In episode 3 we meet some of those who made this decision. We follow Martha Georgina Larsen, who left Ryfylke in 1825, and Linka Preus, who wrote thought-provoking reflections on women’s roles in society. We also hear Lina Svåi’s gripping account of her final day at home before setting off for America.

Through letters, diaries, and historical sources, we get closer to the thoughts and emotions of those who stood on the docks in Stavanger and Bergen, ready to say farewell to everything they knew. What were they giving up? What did they hope to find?

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Script: Inger-Kristine Riber and Reidun Horvei
Co-editor: Katherine Jane Hanson
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}

_{Cover Image: Emigtantane forlater bygda i robåt. Fotografert i mars 1906. Foto: Wilse, Anders Beer / Norsk Folkemuseum}