The Path From Farm to Harbor

The Emigrants

This flow follows the physical journey from a narrow farm gate through unfamiliar roads to the harbor that begins the ocean crossing.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Farm Gate The Farm Gate from "The Emigrants". The Farm Gate A difficult passage The heavily loaded wagon barely passes through the narrow gate at Korpamoen.

The Farm Gate from "The Emigrants". The Farm Gate A difficult passage The heavily loaded wagon barely passes through the narrow gate at Korpamoen.

The Farm Gate A difficult passage The heavily loaded wagon barely passes through the narrow gate at Korpamoen. Nils tells the driver to go carefully, making the last household threshold part of the farewell. A phrase of release Robert Nilsson observes that everything at home is narrow. The remark connects the physical gate with his sense that the old life constrains its people.

Counting the Openings Counting the Openings from "The Emigrants". Counting the Openings A young guide Robert Nilsson jumps down at gates and counts them along the road.

Counting the Openings from "The Emigrants". Counting the Openings A young guide Robert Nilsson jumps down at gates and counts them along the road.

Counting the Openings A young guide Robert Nilsson jumps down at gates and counts them along the road. The task gives him a role in a journey whose larger direction once existed only in imagination. A route made real Each opening marks progress away from familiar ground. The repeated action turns departure into a sequence he can understand and measure.

Entering Blekinge Entering Blekinge from "The Emigrants". Entering Blekinge New country encountered The emigrants travel through unfamiliar woods and villages in Blekinge.

Entering Blekinge from "The Emigrants". Entering Blekinge New country encountered The emigrants travel through unfamiliar woods and villages in Blekinge.

Entering Blekinge New country encountered The emigrants travel through unfamiliar woods and villages in Blekinge. Stories of local danger make the landscape seem strange before anyone has entered the ocean. A company pressed together Cold weather, tired horses, and long roads keep the travelers close to their wagons. Their shared hardship begins to create a practical group identity.

Rest at the Inn Rest at the Inn from "The Emigrants". Rest at the Inn A pause from travel The emigrants stop at an inn in Eringsboda to warm themselves and feed the children.

Rest at the Inn from "The Emigrants". Rest at the Inn A pause from travel The emigrants stop at an inn in Eringsboda to warm themselves and feed the children.

Rest at the Inn A pause from travel The emigrants stop at an inn in Eringsboda to warm themselves and feed the children. Their food baskets preserve a small taste of home. Difference within the group They gather by households and still regard some fellow travelers with suspicion or discomfort. Shared destination has not yet made them intimate.

The Harbor Wind The Harbor Wind from "The Emigrants". The Harbor Wind Meeting the sea A cold wind greets the emigrants at the harbor, where they see the Charlotta offshore.

The Harbor Wind from "The Emigrants". The Harbor Wind Meeting the sea A cold wind greets the emigrants at the harbor, where they see the Charlotta offshore.

The Harbor Wind Meeting the sea A cold wind greets the emigrants at the harbor, where they see the Charlotta offshore. For the first time, the ocean is more than a reported distance. Waiting before embarkation The ship is not ready to receive them, so they must find lodging and wait. The final approach to departure gives fear time to return.

Dawn on April 4, 1850, at Korpamoen

The first day of the wagon journey

The journey’s first day, after crossing the provincial border

The first evening on the road

Early morning, on arrival in Karlshamn