Liv Marit Haakenstad is an accredited genealogist at Norwegian Genealogy (AG®), accredited speaker (AGL™), and works as an author and professional genealogist. She has a master’s degree in non-fiction writing. Liv Marit Haakenstad is a part Crossings 200s commitee – see https://utvandrermuseet.no/2025/nordmenn-i-utah-1825-1920
Norwegians in Utah 1825–1930 is the story of those who moved west to Utah, many of them for religious reasons. Between 1825 and 1920, 771,583 Norwegians emigrated, most of them to the United States. In 1825, the ship Restauration left Stavanger with the first group of Norwegian emigrants. There were probably 51 emigrants on board when they left, and 52 when they arrived in New York, as a newborn baby had been born during the voyage. In 2025, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of these early Norwegian immigrants, known as the “Sloopers” (Crossings 200). Some of these early emigrants moved in 1834 to Fox River, Illinois, where they founded a Norwegian settlement. This was not far from the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (JKKASDH) in Nauvoo, Illinois. Several of the “Sloopers” converted to JKKASDH. Other converts came directly from Norway or from Norwegian settlements in Wisconsin. In 1847, many of these converts traveled from Fox River to Utah after experiencing persecution and hardship due to their faith.
This project includes not only the members of JKKASDH but all Norwegians who traveled to Utah. We are asking several important questions about Norwegian emigration to the West, as much of it was driven by religious reasons. Many emigrants sought a better life, but for many, this journey was also a response to religious persecution. Who were these people who moved to Utah? What were their backgrounds, such as education, profession, and religion? Where did they come from in Norway? What was their life like once they arrived in Utah? What about those who built Lutheran churches around the Salt Lake Valley? Who were they, and why did they come to Utah?
We want to learn about Norwegians who immigrated to Utah in the USA between 1825 and 1920. Please fill in the form if your ancestor was of Norwegian heritage and came to Utah during this period. This project is part of a research project supported by the Charles Redd Center at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT, and the Church History Library and Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The final product will be a published book. This database might be given to FamilySearch.org. Unless you decide otherwise, your name will be mentioned in a list of contributors. Personal information like email etc. will not be published.
«The Handcart Pioneer Monument», by sculptor and artist Torleif Severin Knaphus (1881-1865). Located at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum. Photo: Liv Marit Haakenstad, 2024. All rights reserved.
Financial support – donations
The Project «Norwegians in Utah 1825-1920» is founded by the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies at BYU and the Church History Library and Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will stay at BYU from January through April 2025 but will have to do additional work before and after the stay. My time in Utah will be spent teaching and researching this topic.
The stay at BYU, and the work afterward with translation, editing, and printing will require more funding.
With your interest in Norwegian heritage, I hope you may be willing to help me accomplish my goals by donating to the project. Any donation will be helpful. If you can donate, your name will be listed as a financial contributor in the book. You could choose your own amount by typing or using the arrows up or down.
