Norway Archives and Libraries

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Norway

Archives and Libraries

Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilm.
In Norway there are several major types of genealogical repositories:

• National archives
• Regional archives
• Church parish offices
• University and public libraries
• Historical and genealogical societies

If you plan to visit one of these repositories, contact the organization and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. When writing to an archive in Norway, you may write in English.

Online Records

Although the records you need may be in an archive or library in Norway, the FamilySearch Library and the Norwegian American Genealogical Center (NAGC) (see the "Societies" section) may have a digitized and/or online copy of them.

Digitalarkivet (The Digital Archives)

The Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) is a public service from the National Archives of Norway. Original, indexed, and transcribed records can be searched for free.

National Archives

The Norwegian government collects records relating to Norwegian history, culture, and people. Records of genealogical value at the national archives include census records, military records, and emigration lists. The National Archives of Norway is open to the public. You may purchase microfilms or request photocopies of the records by using forms obtained from the archives.

Riksarkivet (National Archive)
Sognveien 221, Kringsjå
Oslo, Norway

Write to: Postboks 4013, Ullevål stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
Phone: 47 22 02 26 00
Fax: 47 22 23 74 89
E-mail: riksarkivet@arkivverket.no
Website: Riksarkivet i Oslo (National Archives and State Archives)

• Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) National Archives of Norway. Probate Records, State Censuses from 1664-1920, Property Records
• Find Your Ancestors in Norway

Regional/Municipal Archives

In Norway there are eight regional archives and 1 Sami Archive. They serve as repositories for records of their particular areas. Records of genealogical value at regional archives include birth, marriage, and death records (church records); land records; and court records. The regional archives of Norway are open to the public. The regional archives may also have records on microfilm for areas that are not under their jurisdiction. The archives also have much of the printed genealogical material such as farm books (bygdebøker) that pertains to the area they cover. Check what hours they are open before you visit. Hours of operation are usually shorter during the summer.

The regional archives for the various counties [fylker] are listed below.

For Østfold, Akershus, and Oslo counties (Fylker)

Statsarkivet i Oslo (State Archive in Oslo)
Address: Sognveien 221, Kringsjå, Oslo, Norway

Write to:
Postboks 4015 Ullevål stadion
0806 Oslo
Norway
Phone: 47 22 02 26 00
Fax: 47 22 23 74 89
Statsarkivet i Oslo
E-mail: saoslo@arkivverket.no


IKA Østfold Interkommunale Arkivselskap, Sarpsborg
Address: Postboks 237, 1702 Sarpsorg
Phone: +47 69 11 63 05
IKA Østfold Interkommunale Arkivselskap, Sarpsborg
E-mail: ika.ostfold@sarpsborg.com


Byarkivet i Frederikstad (City Archive in Frederikstad)
Address: Nygaardsgata 42-44, 1606 Fredrikstad
Phone: +47 69 30 61 64
Byarkivet i Frederikstad
E-mail: postmottak@fredrikstad.kommune.no OR servicetorget@fredrikstad.kommune.no

For Buskerud, Vestfold, and Telemark Counties (Fylker)

Byarkivet i Drammen (City Archive in Drammen)
Address: Engene 1, 3015 Drammen, Norway
Phone: +47 32 04 62 85
Byarkivet i Drammen
E-mail: kommunepost@drmk.no

Statsarkivet i Kongsberg (State Archive in Kongsberg)
Address: Frogsvei 48, 3611 Kongsberg, Norway
Phone: +47 32 04 62 85
Statsarkivet i Kongsberg
E-mail: postmottak@ikakongsberg.no


Vestfoldarkivet (Vestfold Archives)
Address: Hinderveien 10, 3223 Sandefjord, Norway
Phone: +47 970 67 296
Vestfold Arkivet
E-mail: vestfoldarkivet@vestfoldmuseene.no

For Oppland and Hedemark counties (Fylker)

Statsarkivet i Hamar (State Archive in Hamar)
Lille Strandgate 3, 2317 Hamar, Norway
Write to:
(Postboks 533) 2304 Hamar Norway
Phone: 47 65 55 54 40
Fax: 47 62 52 94 48
Statsarkivet i Hamar
E-mail:  sahamar@arkivverket.no


Fylkesarkivet i Oppland (County Archive in Oppland)
Address: Fakkelgården, Vormstugguvegen 40, 2624 Lillehammer, Norway
Phone: +47 61 27 18 00
Fylkesarkivet i Oppland
E-mail: fylkesarkivet@oppland.org

For Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder counties (Fylker)

Statsarkivet i Kristiansand
Address:Märthas vei 1, 4633 Kristiansand, Norway
Phone: +47 38 14 55 00
Statsarkivet i Kristiansand
E-mail: sakristiansand@arkivverket.no


Interkommunalt Arkiv i Vest-Agder i Kristiansand (Inter-municipal Archive in Vest-Agder in Kristiansand)
Address: Marthas vei 1, 4633 Kristiansand, Norway
Phone: +47 38 14 55 91
Interkommunalt Arkiv i Vest-Agder i Kristiansand
Contact


Kuben, Aust-Agder Museum og Arkiv (Kuben, Aust-Agder Museum and Archive)
Address: Parkveien 16B, 4838 Arendal, Norway
Phone: +47 37 01 79 00
Kuben, Aust-Agder Museum og Arkiv
E-mail: postmottak@aaks.no

For Rogaland County (Fylke)

Statsarkivet i Stavanger (State Archive in Stavanger)
Address: Bergelandsgate 30, 4012 Stavanger, Norway
Phone: +47 51 50 12 60
Statsarkivet i Stavanager
E-mail: sastavanger@arkivverket.no


Stavanger Byarkiv (Stavanger City Archive)
Address: Lars Hertervigs Gate 2, 4005 Stavanger, Norway
Phone: +47 51 50 71 58
Stavanger Byarkiv
E-mail: byarkivet@stavanger.kommune.no


IKA Interkommunalt Arkiv i Rogaland (Inter-municipal Archive in Rogaland)
Address: Bergelandsgata 30. 4012, Stavanger, Norway
Phone: +47 51 50 12 83
Interkommunalt Arkiv i Rogaland
E-mail: epost@ikarogaland.no

For Hordaland, Bergen, and Sogn og Fjordane counties (Fylker)

Statsarkivet i Bergen (State Archive in Bergen)
Address: Årstadveien 22, 5009 Bergen, Norway
Phone: 47 55 96 58 00
Fax: 47 55 96 58 01
Statsarkivet i Bergen
E-mail:  sabergen@arkivverket.no


Fylkesarkivet i Sogn & Fjordane (County Archive in Sogn & Fjordane)
Address: Askedalen 2, 6863 Leikanger, Norway
Phone: +47 57 63 80 00
Fylkesarkivet i Sogn & Fjordane
E-mail: postmottak.sffarkiv@sfj.no


Hordaland Fylkeskommune arkiv (County Municipal Archive in Hordaland)
Address: Agnes Mowinckels gate 5, 5008 Bergen Norway
Phone: +47 55 23 90 00
Hordaland Fylkeskommune arkiv

IKA Interkommunalt arkiv i Hordaland (Inter-municipal archive in Hordaland)
Address: Kalfarveien 82, 5022 Bergen, Norway
Phone: +47 55 30 60 90
Interkommunalt arkiv i Hordaland
E-mail: post@ikah.no


Bergen Byarkiv (Bergen City Archive)
Address: Kalfarveien 82, 5022 Bergen, Norway
Phone: +47 55 56 62 83
Bergen Byarkiv
E-mail: post.byarkivet@bergen.kommune.no

For Møre og Romsdal, Sør-Trøndelag, Nord-Trøndelag, and Nordland counties (fylker)

Statsarkivet i Trondheim (State Archive in Trondheim)
Address: Maskinistgata 1, 7042 Trondheim Norway
Phone: +47 72 54 82 80
Statsarkivet i Trondheim
E-mail: trondheim-byarkiv.postmottak@trondheim.kommune.no


IKA Trøndelag (Inter-municipal Archive in Trøndelag)
Address: Båtsmannsgata 4, 7042 Trondheim, Norway
Phone: +47 970 99 050
IKA Trøndelag
E-mail: postmottak@ika-trondelag.no

Arkiv i Nordland (Archive in Nordland)
Address: Kudalsveien 6, 8026 Bodø, Norway
Phone: +47 994 09 500
Arkiv i Nordland
E-mail: post@nfk.no


IKA Møre & Romsdal Arkiv (Inter-municipal Archive Møre & Romsdal)
Address: Kirkegata 10, 6004 Ålesund, Norway
Phone: +47 70 16 51 80
IKA Møre & Romsdal Arkiv
E-mail: postmottak@ikamr.no

For Troms and Finnmark counties (Fylker)

Statsarkivet i Tromsø (State Archive in Tromsø)
Address: Huginbakken 18, 9019 Tromsø, Norway

Write to: Pb 6315, 9293 Tromsø, Norway
Phone: 47 77 64 72 00
Fax: 47 77 64 72 01
Statsarkivet i Tromsø
E-mail: satromso@arkivverket.no


Tromsø byarkiv (Tromsø City Archive)
Address: Grønneegata 94, 9008 Tromsø, Norway
Phone: +47 77 79 09 00
Tromsø byarkiv
E-mail: byarkivet@tromso.kommune.no


IKA Interkommunalt Arkiv Troms
Address: Huginbakken 18, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
Phone: +47 414 80 935
Interkommunalt Arkiv Troms
E-mail: postmottak@ikatroms.no

Samisk Arkiv /Sámi Arkiiva (The Sámi Archives)

Hánnoluohkká 45, Guovdageaidnu/Kautokeino
Write to: Diehtosiida, 9520 Kautokeino,bNorway
Phone: +47 78 44 85 60
Samisk Arkiv
E-mail: samisk.arkiv@arkivverket.no

Church Parish Offices

Church records containing an entry dated less than 80 years ago are kept at the local parish office. All others are sent to the state archives for the area. It is possible to write to local parishes in English. See the "Church Records" section for more information.

University and Public Libraries

Some of the sources you will want to use are also available in major libraries in Norway and in the United States.  Contact these libraries and ask about their collection, hours, and services. The Nasjonalbiblioteket is the largest library in Norway and its function is similar to that of The Library of Congress.  By law they are to receive a copy of everything that is published in all media formats in Norway.

Nasjonalbiblioteket, avdeling Oslo*

Henrik Ibsens gate 110
0255, Oslo, Norway

Write to: Nasjonalbiblioteket

Postboks 2674
Solli N-0203, Oslo, Norway
Phone:  47 81 00 13 00
Fax: 47 23 27 60 50&

E-mail: nb@nb.no

Internet: http://www.nb.no

• National Library of Norway, Oslo Division

The main public libraries in Oslo and Bergen have large collections, and the collections of family histories, local histories, and biographical works are extensive.

Deichmanske Bibliotek

Arne Garborgs plass 4
N-0179 Oslo, Norway

Write to:
Deichmanske Bibliotek
Postboks 1453, Vika Oslo, Norway

Phone: 47 23 43 29 00

Fax;  47 22 11 33 89

E-mail:  deichman@deichman.no

Internet:  http://www.deichmanske-bibliotek.oslo.kommune.no

Norsk Lokalhistorisk Institutt (Norwegian Local History Institute)

Observatoriegate1b
0254 Oslo, Norway

Write to:  Postboks 8045
Dep., 0031, Oslo, Norway

Phone:  47 22 92 51 50

Fax:  47 22 92 51 30

E-mail:  nli@lokalhistorie.no

Internet:  http://www.lokalhistorie.no

Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek
Strømgaten 6
5015 Bergen
Norway

Phone: 47 55 56 85 60
Fax: 47 55 56 85 70
http://www.bergen.folkebibl.no/

E-mail:  fido@bergen.folkebibl.no

The Norwegian Emigration Center in Stavanger, Norway, is a foundation supported by the county or Rogaland, the city of Stavaanger, and the community of Tysvær. The center has a copy of most of the published material about Norwegian families as well as an almost complete collection of Nrwegian church, census, and emigration records. The center also has passanger lists from the Norwegian American Line and one of the largest colledtions of farm books (bygdebøker). They answer questions and do research ofr a nominal fee.

Det Norske Utvandrersenteret  (The Norwegian Emigraion Center)

Strandkaia 31
N-4005 Stavanger, Norway

Phone: 47 51 53 88 60

Fax: 47 51 53 88 63

Office hours: M-F 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

E-mail: Detnu@telepost.no

Internet: http://www.utvandrersenteret.no

There is an emigration museum with an archive located in Otterstad with an extensive collection about Norwegians in America. They have more than 7,000 emigrant letters, microfilm of about 2,000 Norwegian Lutheran Churches in America from around 1840-1900, and a collection of about 9,000 photographs.

Norsk Utvandrermuseum (Norwegian Emigration Center)

Åkershagan
3212 Otterstad, Norway

Phone:  47 62 57 48 50

Fax:  47 62 57 48 51

Office hours 9:00-5:00 T-F by appointment only

E-mail: admin@emigrantmuseum.no

Internet:  http://www.museumsnett.no/emigrantmuseum

There are several libraries in Norway that have genealogical information that may be searched on the Internet at:

www.bibsyst.no/bibliofil/bibilitek.html
Arkivnett Norge (Norway archives on the net) is another useful site:
www.arkivnett.riksarkivet.no/ 

The Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has one of the largest collections of Norwegian local histories in the United States, and these histories contain much genealogical information. Dennis Auburn Hill has published a bibliography of their holdings:

Norwegian Local History: A Bibliography of the Material in the Collections of the Memorial Library (Jefferson, NC, USA: McFarland, 1989; FHL book 977.583/M1 A3hi;

Other libraries that have large collections of Norwegian local histories include:

Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota—Grand Forks
Mikkelsen Library, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rølvaag Library, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota

Historical and Genealogical Societies

Norway has some organized historical and genealogical societies. Some maintain libraries or archives that collect valuable genealogical records. For more information, including addresses of some societies, see the "Societies" section.

Other Archives and Libraries

Archives in the United States

The archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have microfilm copies of most of the Norwegian-American Lutheran church records. The copies can be loaned via the mail for a nominal fee. The ELCA is divided into nine regions. The regional archives may have additional information. Go to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for more information.

The ELCA Archives is located at:
321 Bonnie Lane
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 1-847-690-9410 E-mail: archives@elca.org

Other records of Norwegians in America are kept by the United States National Archives and Records Administration. These include service and pension, naturalization, immigration, homestead records and others created by the federal government. For information, write to:

The National Archives of the United States
Washington, D.C. 20408
http://www.archives.gov/

You should also look for records created by the state and county where an individual lived.

A list of online sites that include information about archives, censuses, church records, probate records, and military records are found in various Norway Wiki articles.

Inventories, Registers, Catalogs

Some archives have catalogs, inventories, guides, or periodicals that describe their records and how to use them. Write to each archive you are interested in for a guide to its collection. If one is available, study it before you visit or use the records during your visit so you can use your time more effectively. Some guides are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the Place search with the heading ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES and the subheading INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, AND CATALOGS.

Websites

• Norway GenWeb

Archives Portal Europe provides access to information on archival material from Norway as well as information on archival institutions throughout the European continent.

Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)