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Richard Schumacher
Junior member
USA
53 Posts |
 Posted - 14/03/2009 : 03:06:40
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After studying the immigration paths prior to 1850, it appears that a common route was from Norway directly or through other ports to Canada. After that was some rail and the ships to Milwaukee, Chicago and other midwest destinations in the U.S. I would guess he emigrated between 1840 and 1849 (Wisconsin resident in July, 1850).
The passenger lists do not seem to be available for many ships for many reasons.
I know my great great grandfather (Peder) was near Milwaukee (50 miles away) in July, 1850. His first name was Peter/Peder (b. 1814-1817 likely) and his last name in the U.S. (Ondell) was probably an Americanized version of Aandal, Aandahl, Uldalen, etc., and he was probably (80% chance) from the coast or inland south of Kristiansund. I have found several possibilities, but have not been able to eliminate or include them after looking at Norwegian census records (1865) and the available on-line Norwegian emmigration records. The area Peder lived in1850 was very primitive and the first church was established in about 1841, when the first white female was born in the county. Peder/Peter later married in 1851, but it seems unlikely this was his first wife at the age 37. He also married again in 1869 and this women was recognized as the acting "mother" of his 4 children (born 1851-1857). the U.S. records are not as accurate as the Norwegian records since they were taken by volunteers that were first or second generation immigrants from other countries. In addition, they did not ask the birth date, but asked the age, which required a calculation based on a memory or a story to create a birth date.
I would like to research whatever records are available (on line or in person) to look at the possibilities.
At a recent monthly lunch of the Norske Torske Klubben in St. Paul, Minnesota I was advised to look at all the possibilities through Canada, but have a little idea of where to go beyond the limited digital databases. - The meeting was great - 350 Norwegians singing the Norwegian national anthem as loud as they could!!!. I am willing to go to Quebec or eastern Ontario since it is only less than 1000 miles IF I have a chance to end my 15 year search.
I know he was born in Norway and know he was in Wisconsin in 1850. Before that, I have no knowledge of any specific ancestors or family.
Thank you for any assistance and suggestions.
Dick |
Edited by - Richard Schumacher on 10/06/2009 02:47:01 |
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orm overland
Starting member
Norway
22 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2009 : 14:27:01
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| For a short period, BEGINNING in 1850, Quebec was the main entry point for Norwegian immigrants to the US. The reason was the Norwegian participation in the transportation of Canadian lumber to Britain made possible by the repeal of the British Navigation Acts in 1849. Norwegian sail ships brought emigrants one way and lumber the other. It was the increasing popularity of the steam ships that made the Quebec supremacy short lived. You can read more about this in my book Johan Schrøder's Travels in Canada (McGill-Queens University Press, 1989). |
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Richard Schumacher
Junior member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 15/03/2009 : 23:43:40
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Orm Overload -
Thank you for the reference to a part of the immigration history.
My g-g-grandfather was in Wisconsin in July 1950 (probably earlier). I have no idea where he may gone after leaving Norway, but my Norwegian friends suggested the possibility of a Canadian route and I was inquiring if there were any Canadian immigration/arrival records available that could be searched. One possible person (born 1814-1817) may have left as early as 1834, when his father died, but I have not found any records for that area of Norway because of movements and re-organization of smaller parishes. There are no records that he stayed in Norway or left from an area with poor records.
Thank you again!
Dick |
Edited by - Richard Schumacher on 16/04/2009 02:50:27 |
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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 05:42:19
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Have you tried the Naeseth Library In Madison, Wisconsin?
My ancestors also settled within 50 miles of Madison. They left Risør in 1850 and landed in NYC and took the Erie Canal, thru the Great Lakes to Milwaukee with a stop in the Stoughton area.
The Wisconsin Genealogy Index had three hits on Peter Ondell
(two marriages and his death) |
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Richard Schumacher
Junior member
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2009 : 03:46:28
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Knudson, thank you for the information on your family trip and route. My Peter Ondell/Aandal/Aandahl may have followed the same route at that time or a little earlier.
I will have to check the passenger information and the dates of the 1850 U.S. census to see if it was before or after the 1850 arrival (plus Erie canal and Great Lakes travel time) to be in Wisconsin for the census. I think the 1850 Wisconsin census was in July , so he may have set a tradition without knowing it. I have learned that Scandinavians tend to follow tradition travel arrangements and patterns if possible.
I have been to the Naeseth Library, but did not find anything. I may take the 250 mile trip some day next week or the week after to see if I missed something. I can combine that with my trip to find and photograph the site of his home from 1860 to 1885. I will need a GPS unit and high boots to get through the woods to it, since it is long gone, but I have a collection of maps and USGS topographies showing the approximate location and (lattitude and longitude). I take photos of all my ancestors residences/homes and have been able to get some good shots from Luxenboug as far back as 1775 and some current poor quality questionable shots from another Norwegian line out of Ringebu. - Maybe that is an excuse for a trip?
Thank you for the assistance. - Sorry to be late in replying.
Dick |
Edited by - Richard Schumacher on 16/05/2009 03:58:11 |
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KnudsonFamily
Medium member
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2009 : 23:13:26
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The other day I noticed on the main page for this site, an article called Early Norwegian Immigrants on the Erie Canal
Lav Bro - (Low Bridge) by By Jo Anne Sadler, June 2008.
As a young child, I remember singing that song, little did I know at that time that my ancestors had travelled that way. Then once I learned they used the Erie canel, the song was in deep storage. Thanks Jo Anne for reviving that memory! |
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jwiborg
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
4961 Posts |
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From Norway to U.S. before 1850
