Pursuing a brighter future in the United States, Lars Stavig leaves his family in Norway and journeys to the prairies of Dakota Territory. Though their paths never cross again, he and his brother continue to write, sharing their experiences across the sea. Over one hundred and thirty years have passed since Lars Stavig first wrote home to Knut Stavig. Like the lives their authors lived, their letters reflect the challenges faced by families in both Norway and America. Covering the span of five decades, these letters gained popularity through an award-winning South Dakota Public Broadcasting Corporation film. The communication among the Stavig relatives gives readers personal insight into the lives of those who emigrated and those who stayed behind. This annotated book is the first time the letters have appeared in print.