History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Hardangerlag:
Organized at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, August 15, 1911. At the 1925 Norse-American Centennial, the lag had an attendance of about 500.
Past presidents include:
Wollert Hildahl (1911)
Samson S. Tveit (1911-35)
Samson J. Jordal (1935-47)
John L. Moe (1947-48)
John Sad (1948-49)
Ingvald Lillevik (1949-50)
Martin Kallestad (1950-51, 1952-53)
Tom Sexe (1951-52)
John Klyvee (1953-54)
Olaf Welken (1954-55)
Einar Vallevik (1955-60)
Thor Ohme (1960-63)
Stella Peterson (1963-)
Past secretaries include:
Sivert A. Jordahl (1911-24)
Nels Fresvik (1924-)
S.C. Hjeltness
William Botnen (1847-51)
Anna Alvig (1951-53, 1957-)
Erling Brekke (1953-57)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Hallinglag:
Organized at Walcott, North Dakota, March 9, 1907. At the Norse-American Centennial, they estimate an attendance of 1,050.
Past presidents include:
Olaf Th. Sherping (1907-15)
Syver O. Olstad (1915-18)
Knut Løkensgaard (1918-25)
Thom Myking (1925-27)
Asbjørn Tufte (1927-31)
Halvor Langslet (1931-48, 1958-61)
O.I. Hertsgaard (1948-58)
Leonard E. Larson (1961-64)
O. Myking Mehus (1964-69)
Amanda Tufte (1969-)
Past secretaries include:
Halvor E. Ulsaker (1907-08)
J.P. Hertsgaard (1908-13)
Timan L. Quarve (1913-22)
Olaf Løkensgaard (1922-25)
Lars T. Bjella (1925-31)
Niels E. Sorteberg (1931-44)
Aagot Raaen (1944-50)
K.H. Helling (1950-56)
Mrs. K.H. Helling (1956-58)
Adolph O. Lee (1958-72)
Mrs. Everett Nash (1972-)
Past editors of Halling-Minne and Hallingen include:
Ole Løvdokken (1908-12)
Ingvald H. Ulsaker (1912-15,
1934-37)
S.S. Rødning (1915-22)
Rev. Ole Nilsen (1922-33)
Ellen Ellenson (1933-34)
Peder H. Nelson (1947-)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Hadelandlag:
Organized at the Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 7, 1910. At the 1925 Norse-American Centennial, they had an attendance of about 200.
Past presidents include:
Thomas A. Walby (1910-43)
Joseph Melaas (1946-47)
Chris Sorum (1947-49)
Olaf Drøvdal (1949-52)
John Braaten (1952-53)
J.M. Eastvold (1953-64)
Christ. Sherva (1964-68)
Ellef Erlin (1968069)
Karl B. Stensrud (1969-71)
Past secretaries include:
Erling Jacobson (1910-13)
Per Jacobson (1913-14)
Lars Blegen (1914-46)
Oscar Jacobson (1946-47)
Karl B. Stensrud (1947-48, 1965-68)
J.M. Eastvold (1948-53)
Mary Hammer (1953-65)
Harris Bakken (1968-71)
Past editors of Brua include:
Thomas A. Walby (1921-30)
Louis Blegen (1921-30)
Peder H. Nelson (1931-41)
Oscar Jacobson (1946)
Karl B. Stensrud (1947)
Mary Hammer (1948-51)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Gudbrandsdalslag:
Gudbrandsdalslaget in America organized in Minneapolis, September 12, 1909. The first stevne occurred in Minneapolis, September 6, 1908. In 1925 they reported about 3,500 members.
Past presidents of the Gudbrandsdalslag i Amerika include:
Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen (1909-23)
Rev. M. Casper Johnshoy (1923-44)
Rev. J. Walter Johnshoy (1947)
Ole J. Kommen (1947-48)
Olaf Viken (1948-59, 1962-67)
Rev. Joseph Belgum (1959-60)
Dr. Magnus Dahlen (1960-62)
John P. Hegge (1962-71)
Lincoln Neprud (1971-72)
Lloyd George Melgard (1973-)
Past secretaries include:
Ivar Olstad (1909-16)
Samuel Jackson (1916-34)
Simon Johnson (1916-23)
Eilev O. Bakke (1923-30, 1934-40s)
A.H. Bakken (1947-48)
Einar Amundson (1848-50)
Dorothy Teigen (1950-67)
Gladys Prestegard (1967-)
Northwest Gudbrandsdalslag organized at Minot, North Dakota, June 3, 1930. 218 members registered at the first stevne.
Past presidents of the Northwest Gudbrandsdalslag include:
F.L. Larson (1930-37)
Christian Loften (1937-39)
John Brostuen (1938)
Einar H. Dahl (1939-47)
John Aasmundstad (1947-51)
John K. Myhre (1951-54)
Thor Dahl (1954-57)
Thorstein Haugom (1957-61)
Alfred Tofte (1961-65)
Leslie Haugen (1965-67)
Tillie Yahn (1967-)
Past secretaries include:
P.H. Baukol (1930)
Oluf Erikson (1930-32)
Olaf Otheim (1932-38)
Christian E. Lee (1938-57)
Betsy Dahl (1957-58)
Leslie Haugen (1958-63)
Luella Haugom (1963-)
The Eau Claire Gudbrandsdalslage organized in 1918. Their president was John Ovren (1918) and secretary was Mrs. K.A. Jacobson (1918). Gudbrandsdalslaget “Kringen” organized in Minneapolis on February 3, 1906. The society was local to Minneapolis. Gudbrandsdalslaget “Heimhug” organized in Seattle Washington, November 33, 1908.
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"); clippings; constitutions; correspondence; minutes and financial records; pamphlets; pictures; programs; and reports; dealing with conventions; officers; special projects; and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag; organized around the turn of the century; are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II; a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest; and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA; 1975); which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag;" "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district; usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed; as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals; yearbooks; or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II; with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914; and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary; but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings; correspondence; programs; and copies of their publications; duplicates of library holdings; in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups; and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Flekkefjordlag:
Organized in Minneapolis March 7, 1926. The lag was local to Minneapolis. The president was G.J. Giddla (1926) and secretary was Ole A. Jacobsen (1926).
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"); clippings; constitutions; correspondence; minutes and financial records; pamphlets; pictures; programs; and reports; dealing with conventions; officers; special projects; and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag; organized around the turn of the century; are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II; a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest; and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA; 1975); which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag;" "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district; usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed; as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals; yearbooks; or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II; with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914; and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary; but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings; correspondence; programs; and copies of their publications; duplicates of library holdings; in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups; and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Bygdelagenes Fellesraad:
Known as the Council of Bygdelags, they were organized November 17, 1916. Representatives of some bygdelag had first convened November 17, 1906, in Minneapolis. The Bygdelagenes Faellesraad was incorporated March 3, 1926.
Past presidents include:
A.A. Veblen (1916-19)
Rev. Jacob Tanner (1919-20)
C.L. Opsal (1920-21)
N.N. Rønning (1921-22)
Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen (1922-23)
Gisle Bothne (1923-26)
N.T. Moen (1926-28)
Rev. L.M. Gimmestad (1928-30)
Thomas A. Walby (1930-31, 1932-34)
Gustav M. Bruce (1934-37, 1939-41)
H.M. Jacobson (1937-39)
Bjørgulv Bjørnaraa (1938-39, 1941-42)
Andrew A. Kindem (1942-44)
J.P. Vigdahl (1944-46)
John L. Moe (1946-47)
E. Klaveness (1947-49)
Rev. M.E. Helland (1951-52)
Stephen White (1952-56)
Olaf Viken (1955-56)
O.I. Hertsgaard (1956-)
Past secretaries include:
Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen (1916-22)
J.A. Hovik (1922-28)
Eilev O. Bakke (1928-42)
Ole Hegdahl (1942-55, 1959-62)
Marcus Tellevik (1955-59)
Thor Ohme (1962-)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Bergenslag:
Organized in Minneapolis, May 17, 1907, as Ulriken. They continued activity after 1908, but in 1914 was revived as Bergenslaget. It’s a national society, but mostly remained a largely local membership in Minneapolis.
Past presidents include:
Lars Trovik (1907)
Lawrence O. Hauge (1973-)
Past secretaries include:
John Michelson (1907)
Lois Hauge (1973-)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
About Agderlag:
Agderlag is an organization of individuals with “roots” in the Agder region of Norway which is made up of the old fylke of Aust- and Vest-Agder including the Setesdal area. The lag originally organized at the State Fairgrounds on June 6. 1925 during the Norse-American Centennial. In 1926, they reported 188 members.
Past presidents included:
Rev. T. Tjornhom (1925-38)
Rev. Karl Stromme (1938-50)
Tom H.C. Gabrielson (1950-55)
Rev. Gabriel Gabrielsen (1955-1963)
Rev. John T. Wayne (1963-)
Past secretaries included:
Wilhelm Pettersen (1925-27)
Reinert Tofteland (1927-31)
Thorvald Rudjord (1935-50)
Tilda Akersmyr Tofteland (1955-68)
Mrs. Toby Olson (1950-55, 1960-)
History of the Bygdelag:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"); clippings; constitutions; correspondence; minutes and financial records; pamphlets; pictures; programs; and reports; dealing with conventions; officers; special projects; and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag; organized around the turn of the century; are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II; a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest; and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA; 1975); which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag;" "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district; usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed; as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals; yearbooks; or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II; with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914; and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary; but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings; correspondence; programs; and copies of their publications; duplicates of library holdings; in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups; and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
History/Biography:
Papers of "bygd" societies and their Common Council ("Bygdelagenes Fellesraad"), clippings, constitutions, correspondence, minutes and financial records, pamphlets, pictures, programs, and reports, dealing with conventions, officers, special projects, and the Norse-American Centennial of 1925. The bygdelag, organized around the turn of the century, are societies based on regional origins in Norway. They were active in the Eidsvoll Centennial in 1914 and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. While activity dropped off after the beginning of World War II, a revival began in the 1980s as a result of renewal of ethnic interest, and with emphasis on family history. Odd S. Lovoll's "A Folk Epic; The Bygdelag in America" (NAHA, 1975), which includes a. bibliography of lag publications.
Papers of the various "bygdelag," "social organizations of (Americans) from the same homeland district, usually rural" which began in 1899 with the organization of the Valdres Samband. About fifty other lag with national-wide appeal were formed, as well as many others which were more local. They held annual "stevner" (meetings) and many published periodicals, yearbooks, or monographs which often contained extensive genealogical materials. A decline came after World War II, with a revival in the 1970s particularly through renewed emphasis on genealogical research.
A Council of Bygdelags (Bygdelagenes Faellesraad) coordinates activities of the groups. They were very active in the Eidsvoll centennial celebrations in 1914, and the Norse-American Centennial in 1925. Holdings for the various lag vary, but usually include clippings of newspaper articles about their meetings, correspondence, programs, and copies of their publications, duplicates of library holdings, in the periodical and book collections (monographs and annuals included in the latter). In some cases regional associations are included with the national groups, and in others separate groups which later merged are included under the merged name.
Scope and Content:
The Bygdelag papers consists of clippings, minutes, financial records, newsletters, photographs, memorbilia, by-laws, membership information and more for various Lags around the United States and Canada.