Provisional Emigration Law of Norway - Provisorist Anordning 1867

First Page - Provisional Immigration Law of Norway - 1867. 1867-04-06 Provisorist Anordning angaaenbe Control med Befordring af Uddandrere til frennede Berdensdele. GG Archives Immigration Collection. GGA Image ID # 14fefa0e42

A provisional order of 6 April 1867 and a corresponding law of 22 May 1869 stipulated, among other things, that those who recruited and transported emigrants should draw up a written contract with each individual.

This is the most important document in the Norwegian emigration history. This is an original print of the Temporary Emigration Passenger Act passed in March 1867.

The final act was passed on 22 May 1869 and was almost identical to the temporary act of 1867. Without this act, there would have been no emigration protocols, also called police lists. According to this act, the police were to monitor the activities of the emigration agents and keep records of all emigrants.

Page 2: Content of the Decree -- the Provisional Emigration Law of Norway - 1867, Sections 1-3. GG Archives Immigration Collection. GGA Image ID # 14ff55b343

Page 3: Content of the Decree -- the Provisional Emigration Law of Norway - 1867, Sections 4-8. GG Archives Immigration Collection. GGA Image ID # 14ff726849

Page 4: Content of the Decree -- the Provisional Emigration Law of Norway - 1867, Sections 9-10 and Seal of King Karl V of Norway and Sweden. GG Archives Immigration Collection. GGA Image ID # 14ff856c11

History

Around 50 million Europeans emigrated between 1820 and 1930. With an average population of around 2 million during this period, Norway was near the peak of emigration, with almost 900,000 emigrants. Norwegian emigration history is largely the story of emigration to North America.

The major waves of emigration began in the 1860s. Overpopulation and a shortage of agricultural land in Norway, combined with poverty, oppression, and class division, caused people to break up. The poverty was largely due to the lack of arable land and harsh living conditions, while oppression and class division created a desire for a fresh start. These factors, along with the allure of adventure and rumors of cheap farmland in America, attracted them.

The origin of the emigrants, a reflection of the changing times, varied over time. Many initially came from the countryside, but eventually, many also came from the cities.

1836-1865, Telemark, Sogn og Fjordane, and Oppland counties had the highest emigration rates. In 1866-1915, Oppland, Vest-Agder, and Rogaland had the highest emigration rates in relative terms.

The vast majority traveled from Kristiania, Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim, the bustling urban centers that played a significant role in the emigration process. Around half of the emigration from Norway went through Kristiania.

Norway's official statistics, Emigration Statistics, show the distribution of emigrants at various ports from 1876 to 1917. Here is the percentage from Kristiania. GGA Image ID # 21ec40ad2a

Travel control

Until 1860, everyone who traveled from one parish to another had to carry a travel certificate issued by the priest or sheriff. Those who left the country had to have a passport, which was issued by the police at the same time that they entered into a protocol. In 1860, the passport requirement for domestic travel and entering Norway was abolished. A passport was also not required for travel out of the country.

By provisional decree of 6 April 1867, the police chiefs were ordered to control the emigration agents. Due to the growth in emigration, the authorities wanted to control both emigration and the agents' activities.

According to the Emigration Act of 22 May 1869 and an additional act of 5 June 1897, the police were to monitor the transport of emigrants to other parts of the world.

The chief of police was to sign a written contract between the agent and the emigrant. The purpose of the monitoring was, among other things, to prevent people from emigrating if the prosecution wanted them, had alimony obligations, or had outstanding military service.

Note: Oslo was founded in 1024. In 1624, it was renamed Christiania after the Danish king; in 1877, the spelling was altered to Kristiania. In 1925, it reverted to original medieval name of Oslo.

An Essential Source of Emigration History

Emigrant records from 1867 onwards are the cornerstone of personal information about Norwegian emigration. While other sources exist, they are often incomplete. Passport records in the bailiff and police archives, for instance, date back to 1800 but do not encompass all emigrants. This underscores the vital role of emigrant records in understanding Norwegian emigration history.

After 1860, when passport requirements in Norway were abolished, emigrants were only sporadically registered. According to provisions in the Rescript of 1 December 1812, a significant document in Norwegian emigration history, lists of immigrants and emigrants to the parish were kept in the church registers, but they were far from complete.

Ship passenger manifests, a crucial piece of the emigration puzzle, are not commonly found in Norwegian archives. Instead, they are typically delivered to the recipient country. Fortunately, ship passenger manifests preserved in ports in the United States are microfilmed and can be found in the National Archives, USA, providing a rare and valuable resource for those interested in Norwegian emigration history.

Document Information

• Date: 6 April 1867
• Document Control Number: 58 | 1867; Issue No. 3 / 1867
• Details: 10 Sections Passed Into Law Under Seal of King Carl V of Norway and Sweden (Imprinted).

Emigrant records from Oslo 1867-1966 The emigrant records for Oslo 1867-1966 are a central and unique documentation of Norwegian emigration history and a link between Norway and North America. See https://www.arkivverket.no/utforsk-arkivene/norges-dokumentarv/emigrantprotokoller-fra-oslo-1867-1966.

A Critical Resource for Understanding Norwegian Emigration

The 1867 Provisional Emigration Law

The Provisional Emigration Law of Norway (1867) is one of the most important legal documents in Norwegian emigration history. This article provides a crucial perspective for teachers, students, genealogists, family historians, and researchers studying the mass movement of Norwegians to North America and beyond. With nearly 900,000 Norwegians emigrating between 1820 and 1930, this law played a foundational role in shaping emigration policies, regulating agents, and documenting those who left their homeland.

Why This Article is Essential for Immigration Research:

• Establishment of Emigration Protocols – This law required written contracts between emigrants and transportation agents, ensuring greater accountability in emigration practices. Without it, many crucial emigration records, including police lists, would not exist.
• Government Oversight & Travel Control – The article explains how Norwegian authorities regulated emigration through police monitoring, aiming to prevent fraud, ensure military obligations were met, and track individuals sought by law enforcement.
• Historical Context & Migration Trends – Provides an in-depth look at Norwegian emigration, including push-and-pull factors such as poverty, land shortages, and the allure of opportunities in America.
• Key Departure Points & Regional Insights – Learn about Kristiania, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim as the major Norwegian departure ports, along with regional emigration patterns from Telemark, Sogn og Fjordane, Oppland, Vest-Agder, and Rogaland.

Who Should Read This Article?

• Teachers & Students – A primary source document that enhances classroom discussions on migration laws, government oversight, and Norwegian-American history.
• Genealogists & Family Historians – If you have Norwegian ancestors, this article sheds light on how they were documented, how they traveled, and the legal framework that shaped their journey.
• Immigration Historians & Researchers – The law’s impact on emigration monitoring and documentation provides a rare glimpse into Norway’s role in shaping migration policies.

This article is a must-read for anyone tracing Norwegian roots or studying European emigration laws. It offers a unique perspective on the legal, social, and economic factors that influenced Norwegian migration. Review this essential historical document today to deepen your understanding of one of the largest waves of European emigration!