Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Greater New York Concerning the very first emigration to New York (and other Atlantic States) see the "Prehistory" earlier in the book. For information about Norwegian people's attempts here and other places in America, one is referred to "Statistics". I will however repeat some notes that recently appeared in "Nordiske Blade", Brooklyn. They state: "The immigration here began in the 40s. John Onson came in '49, similarly Mrs. Jeppesen, Mrs. Mariager's mother. Beach Place at Hamilton Ferry and 18th Street in South Brooklyn is the oldest Norwegian neighbourhood here. In 1865, Pastor Preutz estimated the Norwegian colony's numbers at ca. 3000. At that time East New York with Market Slip was the Norwegian neighbourhood and here appeared the Riis firm, lawyer Reymert (an uncle of our August Reymert), the florist Gabrielsen on 9th Street, piano makers Narvesen and Ihlseng (on 33rd Street), father of Professor Ihlseng at Brooklyn's Polytechnic. The immigration to Brooklyn began in the 70s with Martin Carlsen at Greenpoint and Widnes at Williamsburg as well as a stream of seafarers who spread through the current Norwegian neighbourhood between Erie Basin, Gowanus and Atlantic Avenue. And here the main stream has come since 1880. The original colonists here were, as is reasonable for a port, seafarers who obtained good-paying employment here and who are now among the popular city's fathers." - according to the newspaper. In 1860, the first Norwegian congregation* was established in New York-Brooklyn. It was led mainly by laymen until 1886 when Pastor O. Juul took over the service. He belonged to The Norwegian Synod and so did the congregation (Vor Frelsers Menighed, as it was then called). Its church, that was the first Norwegian in New York-Brooklyn, was built in 1872. Now there are 15 Norwegian congregations and 12 churches, 4 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 4 to The United Church, 2 to the Methodists, 1 to The Lutheran Free Church, 1 to The Seaman's Mission, 1 to The Evangelical Free Church, 1 to the Baptists and 1 to the Adventists. (This account refers to all of Greater New York that includes the old New York City, Brooklyn, Willaimsburg, Green Point, East New York, Coney Island and Staten Island). For information about 'Skandinaven' (1852), 'Nordisk Tidende', 'Nordisk Blade', 'Norges Posten' and other newspapers see 'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals'. For information about the Norwegian Hospital and Seaman's Home see the section 'Norwegian-American charitable institutions.' My search for Norwegians in public positions has been fruitless for Greater New York. I have asked many locally knowlegeable countrymen (editors, priests, businessmen etc) but they know of none of our own who have been elected to public office. In this connection I cannot fail to make you aware of the interesting fact that 'Den Norske Turnforening' (GymnasticClub) made themselves recognized in a recent gymnastic competition as the best club of that sort. (Norwegians as the best gymnasts in th United States) *As early as 1849 mission activity was begun among the Scandinavians in the City but no congregation was established. It was probably the immigrants they wished to contact and to that end they obtained a ship (The Bethel Ship) that they tied up to a pier on the New York side. This activity was mainly led by Swedes. In 1855-56, Pastor Sinding was active among the Scandinavians here, but he formed no (at least not permanent) congregation.