This bibliography only contains a portion of the Newberry’s resources on Norwegian history and genealogy. To locate additional resources, please check our catalog or consult a reference librarian.

The following subject headings may be helpful:

• Norwegians [locality]
• Norwegian Americans [locality]
• Scandinavians [locality]

For example:

• Norwegians Illinois
• Norwegian Americans Iowa
• Scandinavians United States

Guides and Bibliographies

Herrick, Linda M. and Wendy K. Uncapher. Norwegian Research Guide. Janesville, WI: Origins, 1998. Call # CS913.H47 1998 (2nd floor open shelf).

How to Trace Your Ancestors in Norway. 2001. Presented by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Available online.

Major Record Sources in Norway. Salt Lake City, UT: The Dept., 1977. Call # folio CS913.M36 1977.

Smith, Frank and Finn A. Thomsen. Genealogical Guidebook & Atlas of Norway. Logan, UT: Everton, 1973. Call # folio CS19.S6. Includes genealogical terms, lists of parishes and other places, and maps.

Thomsen, Finn. Scandinavian Genealogical Research Manual. Bountiful, UT: Thomsen’s Genealogical Center, 1980. Call # CS16.T46 (2nd floor open shelf).

Wellauer, Maralyn A. Tracing Your Norwegian Roots. Milwaukee: Wellauer, 1979. Call # folio CS49.W44.

Vital Records

Norway Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records

Norway Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records

Norway Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

Biographical and Historical Resources

Fonkalsrud, A. O. Scandinavians as a Social Force in America. Brooklyn: Heiberg Printery, 1913. Call # F8398.31.

Gjerset, Knut. Norwegian Sailors in American Waters. Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1933. Call # F8398.34.

Gjerset, Knut. Norwegian Sailors in the Great Lakes. Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1928. Call # F8398.342.

Lovoll, Odd S. The Promise of America: A History of the Norwegian-American People. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1984. Call # folio E184.S2 L6913 1984.

Nelson, Olof Nickolaus. History of the Scandinavians and Successful Scandinavians in the United States. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: O. N. Nelson and Co., 1900. Call # F8398.62. Focuses on Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Norlie, Olaf Morgan. History of the Norwegian People in America. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1925. Call # F8398.628 and Suppl.

Qualey, Carlton C. Norwegian Settlement in the United States. Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1938. Call # F8398.72.

Immigration

Also see Passenger List guide.

Blegen, Theodore C. Norwegian Migration to America. Northfield, MN: The Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1931. Call # F8398.11.

Flom, George T. A History of Norwegian Immigration to the United States. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1992. Call # E184.S2 F6 1992. Facsimile of 1909 book.

Index (Soundex) to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, July 1, 1902-Dec. 31, 1943. Call # Microfilm 1042. Ask at the 2nd floor reference desk for the reel number for your Soundex code and for the guide to using this source. Note: The print on this microfilm is extremely small and very hard to read.

Chicago and Illinois Resources

Bowes, Leon Maurice. A History of the Norwegian Old People’s Home. Chicago, 1940. Call # I311.11.

Lovoll, Odd Sverre. A Century of Urban Life: The Norwegians in Chicago before 1930. Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1988. Call # F548.9 S2 L68 1988 (2nd floor open shelf).

Strand, A. E. A History of the Norwegians of Illinois. Chicago: J. Anderson, 1905. Call # F896.84.

List of selected Norwegian churches in Chicago, which is also available in a binder at the 2nd floor reference desk.

Periodicals

The American-Scandinavian Review. New York: American-Scandinavian Foundation. Call # A508.1. Library has volumes 1-62 (1913-1974).

Norwegian-American Studies. Formerly Norwegian American Studies and Records. Northfield, MN: Norwegian-American Historical Association. Call # F8398.635. Library has volumes 1-35 (1926-2000). Selected articles available online.

Dictionaries

Haugen, Einar. Norwegian English Dictionary. 3rd ed. Bergen: Universitetsforlaget, 1984. Call # Ref PD2691.N6 1984 (3rd floor open shelf).

Additional Resources

Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. 321 Bonnie Lane Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (847) 690-9410

Norwegian American Historical Association. 1510 St. Olaf Avenue Northfield, MN 55057-1097 (507) 646-3221

Norwegian Historical Data Centre. University of Tromsø. Use this website to search the 1865, 1875, and 1900 Norwegian censuses. Selected parish registers are searchable, also.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. P.O. Box 379, 523 W. Water Street Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-9681

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City also collects Norwegian-related materials. Explore the Library’s online catalog to see what types of records may be available.