Claim: In 1709, Archsum's population only consisted of 53 families, and while Whaling helped to boost the population to 259 by 1745, the number of farms fell back to 45 by 1850.
Evidence: In 1709, 25 men out of 53 families were seafarers. Whaling helped to boost the number of inhabitants to 259 by 1745 (40 mariners). By 1850, the number of farms had fallen back to 45.