Book 2 - Nathan, Amy, Madison and Ethan Berga

Leaving Home
His decision must have been a difficult one.
He had five children and another on the way; He had
watched as many of his neighbors and family had left,
one by one, from their native land in search of a better
life. Their letters from America had inspired many
more to leave their community. Their notifications of
departure made public at the pulpits of the parish, as
heads of state grew more anxious over the epidemic of
“emigrant fever.” 9 The year was 1870, and Johan was
50 years old, his wife pregnant, and his eldest son,
was nearly 13. Anxiety mounted as preparations were
made to leave the familiarity of home. By law, Johan
needed permission to leave the country from his local
parish; set requirements must be met and notification
must be posted. 9 Food would be gathered, enough for
the 100 mile journey south to Oslo, and still more
for the weeks at sea, and the unknown trek across the
new world.
Both Johan and his wife were born in Torpa, living
their entire lives in the mountainous country side.
Yet, the unknown called to them, with promise of a
new life that would out weigh the hardships they were
sure to suffer.
Nordsinni
Parish Records
Above: Nordrum births as they look on the pages of the Parish records.
Right, Johannes’ birth recorded on line 95. Below, Amund Anderson’s
Norwegian Bible printed in 1863