Who emigrated?
In 1870 the population of Iceland was approximately 70,000. Looking at the population by percentage, approximately 75% of the people were farmers, 10% made their living in the fishing industry and 15% were craftspeople or government employees. Reykjavík and Akureyri together had a population of under 3,000 people. There were few other towns and so the vast majority of citizens were living in rural areas. Many were subsistence farmers, living in crushing poverty, with little opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. The economic conditions of the country at the time played a big part in the decision to leave the country and this was supported by the various agents, hired by the shipping lines, who traveled around Iceland encouraging people to emigrate.
As time passed and emigration increased, more people had family and friends who had emigrated and were sending home word of positive experiences in the ‘New World’. The records show that roughly equal numbers of men and women emigrated, eighty percent of them being under 40 years of age. Approximately two-thirds of them were from the northern and eastern parts of the country. It may be said of all the Icelandic emigrants that to undertake such a long journey, to an unknown land, took courage and stamina. Surely most of the emigrants believed they would never see their native land again.
How many emigrated?
In his book ‘Vesturfaraskrá’ published in Reykjavík in 1983, Júníus H. Kristinsson records 14,268 Icelanders who emigrated to North America between 1870 and 1914. However, only emigrants for whom there is reliable documentary evidence have been listed. It is agreed that all records of emigration have not been preserved and that many emigrants somehow avoided being registered. Thus, this record is certainly not complete and may in fact exclude thousands of emigrants. It is generally estimated that somewhere between 16,000 and 20,000 Icelanders emigrated; 20 – 25% of the total population of Iceland at the time.
Why did they leave Iceland?
The latter half of the 19th century in Iceland featured harsh weather and natural disasters which led to economic hardship. A series of hard winters, cold summers, pack ice, violent winds, heavy snow and sand storms led to land erosion, crop failure, poor harvests, little fodder for animals and loss of livestock throughout the country. In 1875, an eruption of the volcano Askja covered parts of the North and East with poisonous ash and pumice, adding to the already desperate situation of many farmers.
At the same time, news of the mass movement of emigrants from Europe to North America was reaching Iceland. As was happening in much of Europe, Iceland was experiencing many changes, chief amongst them the lack of opportunity for farmers to acquire and profit from their own farms, and opportunity for employment. People seriously considered the promise of having their own land or gainful employment and thus a more prosperous life in the ‘New World’.
Undoubtedly many people chose to emigrate to escape their desperate situations, but also some more prosperous Icelanders were intrigued by the adventure and potential for economic success, emigrating by choice rather than necessity. In the later years of emigration many emigrants were joining friends and relatives who had gotten settled, and who were prepared to provide assistance to the new arrivals.
As time passed and emigration increased, more people had family and friends who had emigrated and were sending home word of positive experiences in the ‘New World’. The records show that roughly equal numbers of men and women emigrated, eighty percent of them being under 40 years of age. Approximately two-thirds of them were from the northern and eastern parts of the country. It may be said of all the Icelandic emigrants that to undertake such a long journey, to an unknown land, took courage and stamina. Surely most of the emigrants believed they would never see their native land again.
Timeline
From the book, Vesturfaraskrá 1870‑1914.
Published with the permission of Bygðasafn Skagfjörður.
Large numbers of Europeans migrated westward in the 19th century to explore the vast expanses of North America and enjoy the opportunities of the New World. Icelanders were latecomers. It wasn't until the last quarter of the century that people got up and migrated because of the adventures in the western seas. Everyone had their own reason for ending their life, but many mentioned a bad journey, which everyone had and which influenced the final decision, although it was not a single explanation, because it was rather looking for finances, family ties, hope for a better income, desire for adventure and other personal reasons.
1870
Fair winter, sea ice in the spring. Number of westbound 6.
1871
A lot of sea ice, but it didn't last long, the weather was generally decent. Number of westward journeys 12.
1872
Generally a good year, severe frost towards the end of the year. Number of westbound 22.
1873
Severe frost at the beginning of the year, harsh winter and spring cold, considerable sea ice. Hay condition poor, autumn bad. Number of westbound 323.
1874
Extremely cold winter, frost exceeded 20 degrees and even over 30 degrees in the north. Pack ice was at land, left but came back in June and was fighting land for a long time afterwards. The winter was called "Hreggviður storí" or "Svellavertur hinn mikli". Number of westbound 391.
1875
Mild years, especially in winter. At the beginning of the year, fires broke out in Öskja and later on Mývatnsöræf. In late March, a rare eruption of pumice began in Öskja, and the ash fall reached all the settlements in the eastern part of the country and laid waste to many parts of Fljótsdal. In July, there was a terrible wind and hailstorm in Biskupstingur and knocked down vegetation. People thought they had never seen such a thing. Number of westbound 59.
1876
Sea ice in the North, left early in May and brought better weather. Grasshopper was good. The fish catch is good except at Faxaflói, and there were previous years of catch failure, so Gullbringu‑ and Kjósarsílú were granted so-called deficit loans one after another. Number of westbound 1190.
1877
Hardiness until spring and poor haymaking. Elsewhere but at Faxaflói the fishing was decent. Number of westbound 59.
1878
The weather was decent at the beginning, but then the sea made ice that didn't leave until June. Haymaking was sparse in most places. In October, there was bad weather that caused great damage in the north. Fishing methods mostly decent. Number of westbound 473.
1879
Severe frost at the beginning of the year. Eyjafjörður laid out under Hrísey and we went on ice to Málmey on Skagafjörður. Otherwise an average year for land and sea. Number of westbound 322.
1880
Mild weather throughout the country and little winter was noticed. Fields were overgrown with summer issues. Decent catch. In the fall, the weather started to get tougher and towards the end of the year it was a brutal season. Number of westbound 94.
1881
The greatest disaster of the season begins. The cold weather continued and at the beginning of January there was a blind storm with terrible weather and hard frost that lasted for days. A lot of snow fell in the north. Sea ice drifted to the land and bears came ashore and wandered far into the countryside. Fjörður traveled all over the country and was e.g. you can go ice skating from Reykjavík to Akraness, all around Gilsfjörður and Breiðafjörður as far as the islands reached. The frost reached 37 degrees in the northern part of the country and it was very cold. Frost did not leave the ground in many places during the summer. In the south, it was a rainy autumn and it remained warm until the end of the year. Number of westbound 144.
1882
Difficult early winter, but it got better as time went on. In April, it turned to the north with frosts and sleet in the north and freezing temperatures in the south. There was a lot of sandstorm in Rangárvellir so that it was impossible to move between towns and many lands were destroyed. Hafís drifted northward and filled all the fjords and lay in front of the whole of Northland throughout the summer. Fishing techniques were uneven and usually poor in the beginning. A measles epidemic raged during the summer and it was called the "Measles Summer", many people died. Animal control became very bad in the west and in the north. The Land Administration lent a lot of money to the counties that were hit the hardest. A match was sought, especially in Denmark, Norway and England, and large sums of money were collected. Many ships were sent to the country with food and fodder. Number of westbound 347.
1883
Better river travel, decent haymaking and animal husbandry. Decent fishing methods. Number of westbound 1,215.
1884
The winter was moderate. Fishing gear was sparse. Number of westbound 121.
1885
Bad weather winter, storms, frost and big storms in many parts of the country. Heavy snowfall caused terrible avalanches in Seyðisfjörður where 26 people lost their lives and it was late spring. Fishing techniques usually poor. Number of westbound 141.
1886
Hard winter and unusual snowfall. It was late spring, because there was sea ice on land. Mowing started late and was difficult. Fishing methods are scarce in most places. Number of westbound 504.
1887
Bad winters, freezing temperatures, storms and sea ice. Hay small and bad from the previous summer and fell here and there, especially in the north. Helplessness became so great that some went astray and saw people. Good fishing technique. Number of westbound 1,947.
1888
The winter was still harsh and sea ice covered the country as far as the Westman Islands and lasted until the end of July. The spring was late, but the growing season was good as the summer progressed and the hay crop was good. Fishing was the best. Number of westbound 1,109.
1889
A good year for land and sea. Number of westbound 702.
1890
Conditions mostly moderate. An unusually heavy snowfall in the month of June for about a week. Number of westbound 217.
1891
Conditions generally fine and hay crop was fair. Fishing yields somewhat uneven. Number of westbound 216.
1892
Frosty winter. The fjord was closed, there was a lot of rain and it was a hard winter. Sea ice washed ashore and lay there for a long time. Hay harvest didn't start until late July or August, as there was a big storm in July. Number of westbound 290.
1893
Mild winter, except in the East fjords, where there was a harsh winter. Fishing was decent. Number of westbound 725.
1894
A rather good period and a good hay harvest after that. However, wet weather prevailed in the south. Fishing yields were usually decent. Number of westbound 113.
1895
Very mild winter, hardly any snow until it dries up. It was a good spring and the hay mood was good. Fair catch except at Faxaflói. Number of westbound 9.
1896
A rather good winter, but haymaking became difficult in many places due to wet weather well into the summer. Severe earthquakes began in the South in August, many towns collapsed and people lost their lives. Catches responded at Faxaflói, but otherwise fishing methods were decent. Number of westward journeys 10.
1897
Conditions were irregular and difficult. Hay quality was poor due to wet weather. The catch was scarce at Faxaflói and the welfare of the people there suffered. Elsewhere, power was decent. Number of westbound 55.
1898
A rosy winter in the south and the west, and so hard in the north that it fell. Catch still low at Faxaflói, decent elsewhere. Number of westbound 87.
1899
Found in many parts of the country and unprofitable well into spring. Grass growth was good in many places, but wet weather prevented good utilization. Catch still failed in Faxaflói. Elsewhere he was mixed. Number of westbound 157.
1900
An average year in most respects. The catch was now as good in Faxaflói as elsewhere. Number of westbound 725.
1901
Good for land and sea and fishing methods especially good on bulk carriers. Number of westbound 258.
1902
Hard winter and sea ice until after spring for the whole of the North and the East Fjords. Good summer season and moderate hay crop. Decent fishing yields. Number of westbound 313.
1903
Average year to land and sea. Number of westbound 677.
1904
Good weather and average temperature, but above average rainfall. Number of westbound 313.
1905
Unfavorable times for the first two months of the year. Otherwise good outside of late summer in the north. Moderate temperature and precipitation. Number of westbound 282.
1906
The weather was unfavorable in the beginning and at the beginning of April, bad weather raged. Precipitation close to average and rather cold. Number of westbound 57.
1907
Unfavorable weather through the middle of the year, especially in the west and north of the country. An unusually dry and cold summer. Number of westbound 36.
1908
Often very favorable, rather warm and above average rainfall. Number of westbound 4.
1909
Favorable conditions. The north-eastern part of the country dries up during the summer. Rainfall below average, temperature moderate. Number of westbound 41.
1910
Difficult times, especially up north. Better in the summer with moderate temperatures and below average rainfall. Number of westbound 87.
1911
The times are turbulent but quite favorable. Average rainfall and temperature. Number of westbound 90.
1912
Weather most favorable in the south but less favorable in the northeast. Moderate heat, low output. Number of westbound 84.
1913
Unfavorable weather in the south and west, very dry summers. Moderate rainfall elsewhere in the country, also the heat. Number of westbound 156.
1914
Weather unfavorable most of the time, spring was late. Number of westbound 85.
Sources: Magnús Jónsson: History of the Icelanders IX. 2. Reykjavík 1957. Trausti Jónsson: Weather in Iceland for 100 years. Reykjavík 1993.