Dyrt å innvandre til USA? (historisk)

[Politrikks]

Det må da ha vært fryktelig dyrt å reise til USA på 1800-tallet? Noe sier meg at man må ha vært godt stilt til å begynne med for å ha muligheten til å reise fra norsk fattigdom?

[Vertical^]

Ikke hvis du går og svømmer litt!

 

Men når du sier det, så lurer jeg på det samme. Var kanskje ikke så dyrt å ta ferge selv om avstanden er enorm?

[Ståle Nordlie]

 

It is estimated that well over one-half of the emigrants to Am. in some years had their passage paid in whole or in part by friends. The peak year for such assistance was 1854, when a total of €1,730,000 ($8,650,000) was received in the United Kingdom; and in addition to this, the passage of many thousands was paid in N.Y..

- Edwin C. Guillet, The Great Mig., p. 34

 

How did the poor finance passage? Hidden in the thatch of many a poor cottage were a few sovereigns, put aside for an emergency. The emergency had come. The sale of furniture netted a few pounds. Landlords complained that out of pity they had not pressed their tenants for last year's rent, & now this rent was taking them forever out of reach. Others did not hesitate to beg, & those who contributed believed they were giving to the most worthy of causes.

Another important source was the contributions of relatives in the U.S. & Canada, who may have thought the funds were for relief; but the recipient hastened to buy passage, the best relief he could think of.

- Marcus Hansen, The Atlantic Mig., p. 244-51

 

http://clarke.cmich....c_crossing.html

 

Most immigrants booked into the less expensive ‘steerage" class, which cost at least $25. This was about two or three weeks wages for a coal miner.

 

...

 

Often, the husband went to America first, and got a job. When earned enough money for his family's passage, he sent for his wife and children.

 

http://freepages.fam...lanticcross.htm

 

Sitatene over gjelder ikke spesifikt Norge, men jeg vil tro det var omtrent det samme. Oppsparte penger, salg av nesten alle eiendeler, og hjelp fra venner og familie i Norge og i USA.