Half-Norwegian / Half-American here. Comparing the stories I was told from the grandparents and great-grandparents on each side, this checks out at least anecdo

Half-Norwegian / Half-American here. Comparing the stories I was told from the grandparents and great-grandparents on each side, this checks out at least anecdotally. Norway in 1900--1940 sounded like absolute dirt poverty compared to the USA in 1900-1940. Also my (Norwegian) mother born just after WWII grew up without electricity and farmed with hand tools