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Magnas Nytt Amerikansk Liv translates to Magna's New American Life in English. This is the diary of a 14 year old Norwegian girl immigrating to America in 1852. There is some Norwegian, but it is translated for you to English in parentheses .
June 19, 1852
Dear Diary,
The frontier in this rough land is quite a challenge. Constantly, we are faced with difficult hardships to overcome. Our oxen are growing feeble. They are worn out. I never realized how hard traveling from Norway to the states would be! Our wagon is getting extremely dusty, and I find my self sneezing often. It is hard to keep entertained on the trail. My sister Inga has been teaching me needlepoint. I find it passes the time quickly, though I do not enjoy it very much. The mosquitoes are horrendous. At night, it is hard to see them. Therefore, we find many bites on our skin in the morning. Bumble Bie (Bumble Bee [my cat], is in good health. She is finding many field mice on the trail to keep herself entertained on the long journey. Momma stays busy helping Papa with the teams, cooking meals, and other chores. Papa tells me that the harvests are plentiful where we are headed. When we arrive, we plan to farm for a year. If the land is good, we may stay. If the land is not to our liking, we will continue our travels. Papa says perhaps we may become merchants like we were in Norway. He was always a very good businessman. The place where we are headed is somewhere in the north on rich farming soil. We’re not sure of the town yet. I begin to drift into sleep as the night is falling, Diary. I will write more tomorrow.
God natt (good night),
Magna
June 20, 1852
Dear Diary,
Papa drove through the night as well slept in the wagon. He has never done this before, but we are extremely anxious to arrive at our destination. I dreamed last night of the train ride from New York to Chicago. Those are two very, very large cities. I dreamed that the train was going down a hill, and its speed was increasing at a rapid pace! We were falling, and all of a sudden...I woke up. This dream seemed unusual to me. When we were actually on the train, Momma was afraid we would become ill from the high speed we were traveling at. However, I was intrigued by the speed and technology of this amazing invention. I enjoyed the experience while I could for fear it might be my last. We’re very close now to where we will settle. I’m beginning to long for a friend again. Each day I wonder how Ingrid and her family are doing. We will be meeting up with them at the Barron Trading Post. There, Papa and Ingrid’s dad will decide which town we will settle in. My excitement is thriving, yet I feel homesick. Norway is so far away from me now Diary.
Deres Venn (your friend),
Magna
June 21, 1852
Dear Diary,
The day is sunny and beautiful. There isn’t a cloud in the sky. We met with Ingrid and her family this morning. Papa has decided we are going to settle in a small town called Farren Lake. Farren Lake is about 15 miles from the Barron Trading Post. That is where we are right now. So our journey to our final destination will take a about a day. The villagers who live near the trading post have told us that the land is very good in Farren Lake. Also, there are a few supply shops, and a church nearby. I am so excited to finally be moving into my new home in America! Ingrid and her family will also be settling in Farren Lake. We will be able to go to school together! From what I have heard, school is much different in America. Papa is making arrangements to build our home on the farm. He has bought 20 acres of land near a lake from a merchant at the trading post. The land was not the best deal considering we still had to buy our plow and other items for farming needs. Momma and Inga were discussing the daily chores we were all going to have to do. I was assigned to churning the butter, mending clothing, and tending to the animals. Inga was in charge of making candles, washing clothes, washing dishes, and making clothes. Momma, of course was in charge of all the other things that need to be done inside. Inga and I will have to help her when we are done with our chores. Papa will be doing the majority of the farming, but he told us we would be helping with harvest, fertilizing, and other tasks. I’m excited because my birthday is in four days! I will be turning 15. Inga is 17, and she is looking forward to studying at school. She hopes to attend college someday, but college is expensive. Also, most colleges do not allow women. We are going to set off now for Farren Lake! I will write more once we are settled in our new home.
Se De da, (see you then)
Magna
July 6, 1852
Dear Diary,
At this point, we are settled in our new home. It is a one room cabin made of logs. There is a loft divided into two rooms. One room is Momma and Papa’s room, and the other I share with Inga. We proceed our new American lives with excitement and enthusiasm. Ingrid and I have grown even closer, but she has fallen ill with scarlet fever. We all fear for her life, but the nearest doctor is never quite close enough. However, we hope the medicine the doctor has given her will make her better. Inga and I go to school everyday. We do some early chores in the morning, and are off to school. When we get home, we do more chores. Then we eat dinner and do our homework. I have met many new friends. My friend Elizabeth’s dad is the owner of the general store. Sometimes when we do not have as many chores, I go over to the store with her. Elizabeth’s father gives us free candy if we ask politely! American candy is very delicious. It is much more delicious than the candy in Norway. However, candy costs a penny per piece. Inga and I hardly ever earn money, so it is hard to afford it. Every Sunday, we attend church. Afterwards, we usually have a picnic. However, Ingrid and her family have not been able to join us lately due to her illness. Sometimes I visit Ingrid, but I dare not get to close for fear I may catch the sickness myself. My daily chores are fairly routine, but I never get bored of tending to the animals. I feed them, give them water, and I ride the horses. Papa gave me my own horse, and I named her DameBasill (Lady Bug). Lady Bug and Bumble Bee do not always get along. Bumble Bee is helpful with catching the mice in the barn! Lady Bug is white and, she is a very beautiful horse. I ride her down to the stream when I have free time. When it is really hot outside, my friends and I go down to the lake to swim. It is very fun. I love swimming. School is very interesting too! We learn English, mathematics, history, and we have a recess too. On our recess, my friends and I usually play running games like tag. I like being outside more than I do inside, but Inga is the opposite. She prefers to sit inside and do needlepoint while I prefer to hike down by the stream. The land is beautiful here diary! I can’t wait to tell you more about my new life in America.
Deres sant,
Magna
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