to: Mr. Kristian P. Holtsaeteren
Oestre Gausdal
Gudbrandsdalen
Norway, Europe

Curtiss, April 20th 1889.

Dear parents and siblings,

As we arrived safe and sound here in Curtiss yesterday, I will try to write today. We left Liverpool on April 6th. First we were on a little ship, as "Servia" was moored quite a distance from shore. It was too large to come to the pier. It was a well-arranged, good ship. And there was good food on board, and strict order. We were separated: girls at the one end, and boys at the other end of the ship, and married couples and children in the middle of the ship. It is worst being at the end of the ship, as it rocks more. But then we who were in the middle of the ship were so close to the engines that it made more noise than a grinding mill all the time.
After having sailed a while the ship stopped outside Ireland. There a little ship came with a lot of Irishmen who joined us. Some people said there were sixteen hundred people altogether. I am not sure, but there certainly are a lot.
As I stood on deck looking at Ireland and the white bird following the ship, I felt queasy and had to go down to my bunk and lie down. After that I was not up at all. I must be one of those people who cannot stand the ocean. As soon as I lifted my head from my pillow, I threw up. I cannot say I was in pain. I threw up without moaning, but I could hear people in their bunks close by throwing up and moaning so it was awful to listen to. I could hardly eat anything and soon grew so weak that I was not able to go to the bathroom, though it was close by, but Mattias had to assist me. Not only did he help me, but also the other women from Gausdal, because most of them were sick for a few days. Mattias was not all right himself, but he was up every day helping the others. His brother could not eat anything and was very sick all the time.
Two of our party, Hans Galtrud from Musdal and Nikoline Brathovde cought the measles and were taken to the ship's hospital. When we came to New York, they stayed there until they were well enough to be sent to their destination. Nikoline's mother stayed to accompany her when she was well again.
We were all checked for scars from smallpox vaccinations. Amongst those of our party who had to be vaccinated again was Nils Seielstad, as he did not have a scar on his arm.
I cannot say we had bad weather over the Atlantic, but we had headwind all the time, so there was a heavy sea running, and waves sometimes washed over the decks. A Swedish couple shared the bunk Mattias and I were in. One evening the man had gone up on deck a wave had washed over the deck, thrown the man over and onto a hard object so he was hit in the head. The doctor bandaged him up and he was well again after a few days. As I mentioned before, the weather was not bad, but none of us from Gausdal considered travelling to America a pleasure trip. I believe that those who say so are lying, or just boasting that they are tougher than the rest. Because, to some degree, all have to suffer either of illness, or other unpleasant things that can happen on such a long journey. We all agreed that we grew tired and weary of the trip.
We arrived in New York on the 15th.There our clothes and cases were weighed. Then we sailed a little ferry across the water to another part of town, to the well known Castle Garden. That is a large, round hall that can hold several hundred people. There you can buy many kinds of food and drink, but it is so expensive you cannot buy much. And there people get their railway tickets. And there we spent the night. Some people lay on the ground. There are also benches there, but not enough for everyone. Mathias and I pushed two benches together, so we were lying sort of protected. And I slept quite well that night.
The next day we sailed another little ferry to get to the railway station. Then we came aboard the railroad and did not stop before we arrived in Chicago. It is boring enough being on the train, because if you want to sleep at night you have to sit and sleep. When we got to Chicago we were split up, as we were going to different destinations. Nine of us stopped here in Curtiss, Wisconsin.
Mathias met a lot of people he knew at the station here in Curtiss. We were all invited by a local merchant. Both him and his wife are Norwegian and come from Voss. All nine of us were served coffee, butter, boiled eggs and bread, cakes and fruit.
We also met Petter Beken there. The Kankruds and I were invited to stay with him until over Easter. The Bjoernhaug boys, Kristian Braaten and a man from Musdal will be staying with another farmer at Easter. Petter Bekken and Marte's place is nice and pretty. When we arrived there we were served coffee, boiled eggs, butter, flatbread, cured meat, sweet cheese, strong cheese and cakes. It seems they have enough good food. They only have one cow milking now, and they are raising a calf. In a month's time the other cow will calve as well. The third one is a heifer, she will not calve until the fall. And they have another yearling. They have three pretty children. They are Gustav, Georg and Anna. She was born around Christmas. Marte tells me to greet Ingeborg Busletten so much from her. It is Easter eve today, tomorrow we are going to church. Mass will be held. The fields are green here, and the cows are out, so we can hear cow-bells all around us. The air is fresh and clean, and not too warm yet.
I wish for father to be healthier now. When I receive a letter, I hope I will hear you are all doing reasonably well at home. I am well again now, and when I arrive at Mathias' farm I will write to you again, so you can hear how I like it. He tells me to send his regards home. He is going to have enough to do now.
Give my greetings to Ingeborg Busletten and Kari Ringen, and everyone who asks about me. My most heartfelt greetings to my parents and siblings, from your daughter Randi.

Mrs. Mathias Anderson
Curtiss Clark Co.
Wisconsin North America

Write to me soon, and tell me how everything is at home. Live well and greetings.