The American option in 19th century Fåberg and Lillehammer : the development of a culture of emigration

Abstract

The aim of the thesis is to show how a culture of emigration developed in Fåberg and Lillehammer in the 19th century. In the early phase of emigration people often regarded America with scepticism, but they were also curious about the Promised Land. Much information was available; letters, newspaper articles, and immigration agents provided knowledge about what America had to offer. People gradually familiarised with the American option, and the mentality towards America changed. They started to consider immigration to America as a natural and integrated part of the community, and emigration no longer caused a sensation. The new mentality enabled the development of a culture of emigration in the area of investigation.