The Family’s Shared Passage

The Emigrants

This flow traces how the Nilsson children experience emigration as a move decided by adults and endured through the material conditions of the crossing.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Children Left Out of the Decision

Children Left Out of the Decision A choice made for them Karl Oskar Nilsson and Kristina Johansdotter argue about whether their children should risk the voyage. The children are too young to understand or consent. Parental responsibility Each parent claims to act for their welfare: one sees opportunity, the other danger. The children become the emotional center of a decision they cannot influence.

The Loss of Anna The Loss of Anna from "The Emigrants". The Loss of Anna Hunger reaches the children Anna secretly eats too much barley porridge after a winter of famine food and dies in pain.

The Loss of Anna from "The Emigrants". The Loss of Anna Hunger reaches the children Anna secretly eats too much barley porridge after a winter of famine food and dies in pain.

The Loss of Anna Hunger reaches the children Anna secretly eats too much barley porridge after a winter of famine food and dies in pain. Her death follows scarcity into the most intimate part of family life. Grief changes the family Kristina Johansdotter’s fear of risking the children’s lives at sea changes after losing Anna at home. The surviving children’s future becomes part of the decision to leave.

A Wagon Into the Unknown A Wagon Into the Unknown from "The Emigrants". A Wagon Into the Unknown A child’s limited understanding Johan and Lill-Märta know they are traveling but cannot comprehend the distance or danger.

A Wagon Into the Unknown from "The Emigrants". A Wagon Into the Unknown A child’s limited understanding Johan and Lill-Märta know they are traveling but cannot comprehend the distance or danger.

A Wagon Into the Unknown A child’s limited understanding Johan and Lill-Märta know they are traveling but cannot comprehend the distance or danger. Their parents carry them away from familiar places without being able to explain what awaits. Farewell remembered by adults The adults watch known streams, meadows, and homes disappear. The children’s dependence makes the journey a family bond as well as a parental burden.

Children in the Hold Children in the Hold from "The Emigrants". Children in the Hold Confinement and illness The children share cramped bunks, have little room to play, and miss milk and familiar foods.

Children in the Hold from "The Emigrants". Children in the Hold Confinement and illness The children share cramped bunks, have little room to play, and miss milk and familiar foods.

Children in the Hold Confinement and illness The children share cramped bunks, have little room to play, and miss milk and familiar foods. A cold and seasickness make the voyage harder for the mothers. Care under pressure Kristina Johansdotter comforts the children with promises of food and a house in America. She worries that she cannot guarantee what she is promising.

Walking Ashore Together Walking Ashore Together from "The Emigrants". Walking Ashore Together The children reach land Karl Oskar Nilsson carries Harald, while Robert Nilsson watches Johan and Lill-Märta.

Walking Ashore Together from "The Emigrants". Walking Ashore Together The children reach land Karl Oskar Nilsson carries Harald, while Robert Nilsson watches Johan and Lill-Märta.

Walking Ashore Together The children reach land Karl Oskar Nilsson carries Harald, while Robert Nilsson watches Johan and Lill-Märta. Kristina Johansdotter insists on walking down the gangplank herself. A family still together The children are pale and weak, but all the survivors stand on shore as a family. The arrival preserves the bond that the parents risked the voyage to protect.

During Karl Oskar and Kristina’s debate about emigration

The famine winter, after the christening

April 4, 1850, during the departure

The opening weeks aboard the Charlotta

Midsummer Eve, 1850, at the New York pier