Documents Norwegian Migration to the United States

"[Map with Book] Martin Ulvestads Kart over de Forenede Stater og "Norge I Amerika" [on verso] Marti Ulvestads Kart over Nordvesten og Hovedstroget af "Norge I Amerika" [with] Norge I Amerika med Kart",

This 624-page volume by Martin Ulvestad features a comprehensive directory of all male residents of Norwegian descent within the United States at the turn of the 20th century. The detailed directory is organized alphabetically by city and often lists not only an individual’s name but his profession as well. Following the directory are smaller sections on churches, newspaper, and more. While immigration from Norway to the United States began as early as 1825, the bulk of migration occurred in the latter half of the 19th century following the advancement of the steamship. It is estimated that 1 million Norwegians left their homeland for America during the period from 1825-1920, and this volume certainly helped serve as a catalyst.

Accompanying the volume are two maps on one sheet revealing the concentrations of Norwegians in the United States. The recto map covers the entire country and shows high concentrations of Norwegians in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The shading in this region is somewhat misleading as only 13% of Minnesota consisted of native-born Norwegians and Swedes, but it was still enough for Ulvestad to call it “Norway in America.” Outside of the Upper Midwest, smaller solid and outline circles represent smaller Norwegian populations, with settlement occurring primarily in rural areas, reflecting their mostly agrarian backgrounds. The verso contains a detailed county map of the Upper Midwest with populations and churches noted by small red circles.

Martin Ulvestad (1865 - 1942) was a Norwegian-born American author and historian whose works centered on Norwegian-American immigration. Ulvestad was considered a pioneer in this field of study and was knighted by the King of Norway in 1932.

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Condition: A

The folding map is clean and bright with one small split at a fold intersection and some paper residue in the bottom right blank margin from where it was adhered to the inside back cover. Text is near fine with a hint of pleasant toning. Covers have minor wear with bumped edges.