An Immigrants Journey: Oregon

For hundreds of years, the majority of Swedish land was owned by the Noble families, which left only small parcels of land for the peasants. As the population grew so did hunger. The poor farmers with their ever shrinking parcels of land found it increasingly difficult to feed their growing families. With starvation on the horizon, this migration of single Viking men led to Swedish settlements in Ireland, England, France, Italy and Spain, and the eventual immigration to the United States.

My older brothers chose to immigrate to America. Just as they wanted to be in charge of their future, so did I. The one in Sweden was not too promising. Once I decided to join my twin older brothers, John and Eric, in leaving Sweden, I wanted to write my own future. Staying in Sweden only offered me a marriage with someone in our small village and that did not appeal. I wanted a life on my own terms. We were the oldest of six children, old enough to care for ourselves in a new land. My name is Karen Bromfield … this is my story. I write my history in the New World so my children’s children will know why I left my homeland, parents, friends and community. Together we will survive.