Archives with Norwegian American collections:: Difference between revisions

The largest collection of Norwegian-American archival material in America is to be found at the Association. Founded in 1925 with the assistance of novelist Ole Rolvaag, the Association has established an enviable reputation as one of the leading organizations of its kind. Anyone researching Norwegian-Americans will find the NAHA an essential repository of relevant materials.

The NAHA Archives can be a rich resource of information for family historians and genealogists. Although the focus of NAHA is the Norwegians after they arrived in America, and is historical in nature rather than strictly geneaolgical, you may find its resources helpful in your research.

From the beginning NAHA has been located on the campus of St. Olaf College. Although both institutions are independent entities, they maintain close cooperation on common causes.

The heart of the NAHA archives is its extensive manuscript collection, which includes letters, diaries, journals and ledgers, newspaper clippings, obituaries, congregational records, family and local histories, and other resources related to Norwegians in America. The archival collection also includes photographs illustrating all aspects of Norwegian-American history. The archives are available to NAHA members and non-members, but fees are charged for most services.  

Online Research  

• A published [http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/archives/guide.htm guide to the archives is available in PDF format.  

• The [http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/nastudies.htm NAHA site index] searches the volumes of Norwegian-American Studies that have been scanned and are available online.

• [http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/nastudies.htm Norwegian-American Studies] Volumes 1-33 of Norwegian-American Studies, our scholarly journal of Norwegian-American History, are available online in a printable format.  

• A list of [http://fusion.stolaf.edu/naha/index.cfm?fuseaction=newspaper Norwegian-American newspapers] published in the United States is available. Search by newspaper name, state or city of publication, or browse the entire list.

• [http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/archives/noramimages.html Norwegian-American Images] Our developing online image collection can be searched in a variety of ways. Image reproduction fees are detailed below.  

• [http://fusion.stolaf.edu/naha/Hovland/Hovland/ Hovland Index] (Rolvaag Library holdings of Bygdebøker) See also: [http://fusion.stolaf.edu/naha/Hovland/Hovland/mapsearch.cfm HovlAND Map index]. Search the Hovland Index to identify which Bygdebøker (Norwegian Community History Books) are located in the Rolvaag Library, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.

Researchers are welcome to use the NAHA archives in person. Arrangements can be made to use the NAHA archives by calling the archivists at (507) 786-3229 or by e-mailing naha-archivists@stolaf.edu to make an appointment. Appointments should generally be made several days in advance and for our regularly posted hours of 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Afternoon hours are also often available but only by advance appointment. The archivists are happy to assist visitors in finding appropriate resources, but we are able to undertake research for others only when our schedules allow and only upon pre-payment of research fees. We can answer simple research questions on the telephone and by e-mail, but we may need a few days to respond.

• Daily Fees  

Visitors who are not members of NAHA pay a daily fee of $15 for use of NAHA resources. Non-members may join NAHA at the time of their first visit. Daily fees are waived for members and for students.  

• Reproduction Fees

Reproduction fees are collected in advance of any work. The fragile condition of many manuscripts and photographs may preclude any form of duplication. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the processing of all reproduction orders.  

We will make photocopies at 15¢ a page, if the condition of materials and staff time permits. (This fee includes defrayment for staff time).

• Postage Fees

Postage/handling fees of $4.00 apply to orders sent out by NAHA staff.  

Norwegian-American books and newspapers belonging to NAHA are housed in the [http://www.stolaf.edu/library/libs/rolvaag.html St. Olaf College Library] and may be identified with the St. Olaf-Carleton on-line catalog, Bridge. Rare Norwegian-American imprints (books and pamphlets) are housed in the library vault, as indicated in Bridge. Access to these materials requires advance notice to the circulation desk (507-786-3224). The library also houses a rich collection of Norwegian-American materials of its own, including bygdebøker.

• Rowberg File  

200,000+ clippings of biographical articles on Norwegian Americans from Norwegian-American newspapers, English-language country weeklies, church and lodge magazines, obituaries, Golden Anniversary celebrations, etc. Mounted on 3x5" cards filed alphabetically. Women are usually listed under husbands or male relatives. Reference cards to longer articles are mounted in over 120 binders. Coverage: Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and where there were pockets of Norwegian settlements. The main time period covered is 1914-1980's.

   

• Rowberg Supplement  

50,000+ recent obituaries, mainly from North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota. Women are usually listed under their own names. A few older obituaries are also included.