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Early Settlement to Newfoundland and Labrador

The initial population of the island of Nfld came as a result of the fishery. Organized attempts to populate the island but a few scattered souls remained each year and eventually the island’s population grew.

Migratory Fisherman
I leave England on the journey to Newfounland in early March, and in some years in the middle of April. This is due to the weather which must be just right for the often dangerous crossing of the Atlantic. We land on the northern or eastern areas of the island four weeks later, although some years it has taken us up to six weeks to make the crossing. The ship is crewed by other poor laborers like myself who have made the trip several times before, but also among the crew are young teenage boys on their first trip to the island. They will mainly stay ashore and cure the fish we catch.
Before we can go fishing, however, we must find a safe harbour close to the fishing grounds, where there is also sufficient forest from which we can get the...

Posted by: Raymon Androckitis

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