. . . Friday, May 29, 1868. In the afternoon at five o'clock our trip began from Christiania in the steamboat Oder to Hull (England). There were aboard 159 passengers of whom we were 59 Hellig - Mormons. Together with children, our president C.C. Christensen. The trip continued in the night out of Christiania Fjord. The wind was quiet.

Saturday, 30th. Arrived at Christiansen at 9:00 o'clock. Left at 12:00 o'clock. Rain and fresh southerly winds. Many of the passengers were seasick.

Sunday, 31st. Journey continued well. The weather was fine.

Monday, June 1. In the morning about 6 o'clock we arrived at Humber River and anchored at dock. The president, Christensen went ashore at arrange our trip further. At 5:30 we left by train from Hull to Liverpool.

Tuesday, 2nd. We arrived at 3:00 o'clock in the morning at Liverpool, met our hotel agent who had other emigrants from Denmark and Sweden. A few of us went to the Hotel Columbia and were there the whole day.

Wed., 3rd. This day we took our baggage out of customs and put it aboard the ship John Bright: out of New York, 1444 tons. In the afternoon the emigrants came aboard, 724, and took their places. The Scandinavians on the lower deck. In the afternoon the steamship pulled out from the dock and we anchored red. Weather was fine.

Thursday, 4th. In the afternoon the President G. Richards came aboard together with a few brethren from the office in Liverpool. The president talked awhile and [p.1] asked the Lord to bless us on our trip. Our ship now had on board English, Welsh, Scotch, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish, with Elders M. Gaw (leader) and C. O. Folkman and F. C. Anderson as advisors. Conditions continued well all night.

Friday, 5th. We could see the coast of Ireland - very clear - the journey excellent. Some are beginning to get seasick.

Saturday, 6th. A little wind which gave us a chance to set our sails and to get along without the help of the steamboat. Many became seasick in spite of a calm sea and fine weather.

Sunday, 7th. Favorable weather which gave speed to the boat - about 10 miles. Sea was not high. In the morning we all gathered on the upper deck to receive encouragement and instructions about our new conditions.

Monday, 8th. Wind favorable but not strong. Most of the sick were brought on deck and they improved. The young ones amused themselves with various games.

Tuesday, 9th Last night an elderly Welsh woman (70 years) passed away. She was quite weak when brought aboard, but had chosen to die among her friends rather than be left behind even though a wet grave awaited her. Little wind and progress slow.

Wed., 10th. Wind unfavorable - almost still. Health conditions better. Many were on deck and enjoyed a little rain.

Thursday, 11th. Wind unfavorable. There were small inconveniences due to difficulties in preparing food. The passengers amused themselves on deck dancing and concerts. We passed a Norwegian brig coming from America. The captain, [p.2] Senette and first mate came aboard to fine out our condition. We sent messages back to Liverpool. In the evening there were dances and concerts.

Saturday, 13th. Quiet wind and sea. In the evening we contacted an emigrant ship, "Harvest Queen," which left Liverpool the same time we did.

Sunday, 14th. The wind, north westerly - cool breeze. Some seasickness. In the forenoon we met on the highest deck and further instructions were given in the English language. An hour later the Scandinavians had a meeting on the lower deck.

Monday, 15th . Calm and foggy. Each day at 10 o'clock, passengers gathered on upper deck while the lower deck were cleaned.

Tuesday, 16th. Wind variable, southwest easterly. Cold and foggy and some rain. An English sister was struck on the head by a piece of loose sail. Passengers in general happy and content and the young people amusing themselves with dancing. At eight o'clock a horn is blown to call all together to their allotted place on deck.

Wed., 17th. Still calm with thick fog. Received provisions for 7 days.

Thursday, 18th. Northwesterly wind and cold fog. A few are seasick. A child has been in the hospital with measles but is now frisky and active.

Friday, 19th A sister from Gottland is sick with "Blodgang." We are now about 1300 English miles from Liverpool.

Saturday, June 20th. Westerly variable wind and overcast. The holy ones are divided into groups. The Scandinavians are No. 1. They get meat and water first every 5th day. New moon tonight - wind increasing. [p.3]

Sunday, 21st. Strong northwest wind. A Swedish sister fell on the upper deck on account of high seas. She was thrown back and forth, got a blow on the head and a crushed kneecap. Many seasick. McGaw reminded to remember our duties every day. In the evening C. Christensen spoke to us.

Monday, 22nd . Southwesterly wind. Fair weather. Almost everyone well.

Tuesday, 23. Same weather. We get our provisions today. We are 1600 east miles from Liverpool.

Wed., 24. Wind and fog. Everything going well.

Thursday, 25th. Same wind and weather. Passed an iceberg today. A boy fell on the deck and broke his leg, thigh. Evening a high sea so the ship rolled. A Scotch sister fell and broke two ribs. Saw another iceberg.

Friday, 26th. West wind not so strong. Passed two more icebergs. People are dissatisfied with food and cooking.

Sat., 27th. Cold fog - no wind. Because of bad feeling the first "Semmemand" tried to poison two English sister by giving them a piece of cake with Spanish flies in the raisins. But, a crew member saw a gave warning.

Sunday, 28th. West wind, cold fog. Passed many icebergs. President Christensen spoke to us about now and hereafter. Very interesting.

Monday, 29th. Very cold. Saw icebergs about 1 miles away. In the evening the wind was northeast. [p.4]

June, Tuesday the 30th. North wind, beautiful weather. We saw many fishing boats. One came aboard with fish, codfish, haddie, and halibut; which were bought and we had a very delicious dinner. Saw many whales.

July, Wed. 1st. West wind and fine weather. Passed fishing boats which were anchored.

Thursday, 2. We are about 700 miles from New York.

Friday, 3. West, southwest wind, nice weather. About 4 o'clock we saw land, Nova Scotia ten miles away.

Saturday, 4. The U. S. A. Independence Day was celebrated. We, the passengers were awakened at 4 a.m. and 14 brothers with guns marched around the deck and saluted the captain and leaders of the brothers, then up on the afterdeck where they fired 13 shots. When the flag was raised a 9 time hurrah was given. After that we sang a Psalm. Fireworks in the evening.

Sunday, 5th. Westerly wind, fog and cold. Had a meeting in the forenoon and in the evening on the lower deck. Everything alright.

Monday, 6th. Good wind - east, northwest. Good weather. Everyone busy washing clothes and cleaning everywhere. Getting ready for the train trip and getting rid of the big trunks to have luggage as light as possible.

Tuesday, 7th. Same weather. Scrubbed both decks. Quiet afternoon.

Wed., 8th. North wind and fog. A couple of children have a light case of measles.

Thursday, 9th. Same wind and weather. Concert of deck this evening. [p.5]

July, Friday 10th. North wind, nice weather, fog. About 200 miles left to New York. We passed a ship that had left 3 weeks ahead of us from Liverpool with emigrants.

Saturday, 11. Westerly wind - nice weather. Concert in evening. Things alright.

Sunday, 12th. Same weather. 4 o'clock the pilot came aboard. We [had] two meetings. One on the lower deck for the Scandinavian people.

Monday, 13th. Same weather.

Tuesday, 14th. 9 a.m. we dropped anchor in New York. At 11 a.m. we left the John Bright and boarded a steamship which took [us] to Castle Garden where the luggage was weighed. Later we crossed the river to the railroad station and where we spent the night. During the night one of the brothers drowned - - he walked out over the pier.

Wed., 15th. We went sight seeing in town and bought a few things for the trip. We left New York on the train at 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, 16th. At 9 a.m. we changed trains, and traveled again at 12 noon - kept on all night. We passed Utica and Rochester.

Friday, 17th. Passed through Albion, Lockport, and stopped at suspension bridge for 4 hours. Many of us looked at Niagara Falls. We changed trains and started at 3:00 p.m. and traveled on through many beautiful places.

Saturday, 18th [19th]. During the night we passed Hamilton in the morning, London. At 11 o'clock [p.6] we arrived in Detroit. Crossed the river, took a bath and bought food.

Sunday, 19th. At 2 p.m. we arrived in Chicago. Left at 7:30. We had seen the town. We traveled all night.

Monday, 20th & 21st. Tuesday at 12:00 noon we crossed the Missouri River to Omaha, Nebraska where we bought food. Many were sick from the heat. One sister died of sunstroke.

Wednesday, 22. At 8:00 a.m. we passed Grand Island, a big station and many houses. We saw two prairie fires. Also saw a large Indian camp. At 7:00 p.m. We passed the river to North Platte.

Thursday, 23rd. We saw several Indians. Also antelope. Here the country didn't look as good as the country we passed through yesterday. We saw big Indian camps. Many animals too. In the evening we came to the station at Laramie City but stayed in cars during the night.

Friday, 24th. In the morning at 4:00 o'clock we were told to get up, take our baggage out of the train and load it on the mule train we followed about one miles. There we camped by the river, washed our clothes and bathed. It was very pleasant.

Saturday, 25th. Each persons baggage was weighed separately and loaded on the wagon to which we were assigned. We were gathered in groups of ten to fifteen. One child died.

Sunday, 26th. It rained all night. For those who had no tents it was very uncomfortable. Lovely weather today.

Monday, 27th. We were called out at 4:00 a.m. to get ready. Traveled 18 miles and camped by little Laramie. [p.7]

July, Tuesday 28th. We traveled about 20 miles, climbing continually. One child was buried.

Wednesday, 29th. Continued our travels over a very rocky country, always more hilly and upward. Here were lots of antelopes and therefore, called Antelope Hills.

Thursday, 30th. Very bad road - many became impatient.

Friday, 31st. Came out of Antelope Hills in the evening to Platte River. Waded over and camped on the other side.

August, Saturday 1st. Traveled along the Platte River over many hills. Bad and rocky road. We camped by Bridger Canyon. Very cold during night.

Sunday, 2nd. Kept on over Bridger Flat and camped at noon by Pacific Spring; about 5,700 above sea level. Here the air was very pleasant. Snow was down in the mountain clefts. Night cold. I stood my first watch here.

Monday, 3rd. Kept along the same creek until we came out of the pass. The road was very uneven, overgrown with thistles, grass very poor.

Tuesday, 4th. The road was mostly even again. Naked prairie without water, grass or firewood. We camped by a little creek where there was enough water.

Wednesday, 5th. Kept along on Bitter Creek. Water bitter with minerals, alkaline salt. The creek runs through desolate and bleak. But road was hard and even. Vegetation, mostly sagebrush, greeswood, with very little grass between. We saw many antelope, eagles, and several kinds of birds. [p.8]

August, Thursday 6th. The road became sandy and uneven. Part ran along the new railroad. Water was bad and many suffered from diarrhea and became weak.

Friday, 7th. We continued along the same creek and railroad, over the same desolate country. The air was light and clear, very pleasant, warm during the day but very cool at night. We traveled about 25 miles a day.

Saturday, 8th. Along the same creek the road was very difficult and the water bad. In the evening we came to a spring (mountain) where we also found "rundgrass" which is good for cattle.

Sunday, 9th. Traveled upwards about 3 miles and then down until we reached Green River in the evening. There we found all conveniences for a camp. Good water, firewood and grass.

Monday, 10th. Today the company had rest since the wagons had to be brought over the river. The emigrants had an opportunity to wash and do other necessary things. In the afternoon I crossed the river and was then in Utah Territory. In the evening all who wanted to dance could do so. So far three English and one Swedish child had died. The rest of us were well.

Tuesday, 11th. We traveled as far as Blacksfork by noon and camped. In the afternoon we continued up along the same river until we crossed the Hanesfork. In the evening we made camp on the bank.

Wednesday, 12th. Today it rained so hard we couldn't travel along the Blackfork.

Thursday, 13th. Traveled on. All well.

Friday, 14th. Road uneven. Many were weak mostly from the water in Bitter Creek. [p.9]

August, Saturday 15th. Continued the journey under the same conditions.

Sunday, 16th. Better road. Everyone satisfied because we neared the end of our journey.

Monday, 17th. We passed through Echo Canyon and through Vibor [Weber] where we refreshed ourselves with milk.

Tuesday, 18th. Continued on down the canyon. Everything all right.

Wednesday, 19th. At 12:00 noon we arrived at Tiendegarden in Salt Lake City. Everyone happy and satisfied. In the afternoon I brought my baggage over to Brother L. Borg in the 3rd Ward and there I took my first lodging in Salt Lake State. . . . [p.10]

BIB: Mathisen, Michael, Diary. pp.1-10. Donated by Lenore C. Passey..
(source abbreviations)