The following links include excellent background for Norwegian culture at the time of emigration, mainly the last half of the 1800s. Search in past Avisen newsletters for additional topics.

Farmer Terminology (from Avisen, April 2021)

Husmannsvesen | Homestead system: Work and living, social division, labor division, life stages, relationship to owner, geography, landless cotter ("husmann uten jord"), factory workers, builders, beach sitters, contracts, history, statistics.

Norwegian Crofter | A crofter’s life style, family, social status, diet, marriage, and more. A thorough report.

Norwegian Life in the 1800s (by Neil Hofland) | Farmer terms and farm sizes. Excerpt from T. Blegen on ownership and population in 1845. Very Good.

Who was a husmann | Description, social class, reasons, contract.