For many family history researchers the 1900 U.S. Census is of tremedous help. That is the first Census that gives the year of immigration, which can be very helpful in getting ones ancestor back to the "old country".
U.S. 1900 Census at Ancestry.com
U.S. 1900 Census at FamilySearch.org Record Search]. This search is free and is an every-name index to the census.
Emigration records from Norway start 1867. Therefore these U.S. Census (1850 & 1860) records can be of great help in identifying ones Norwegian ancestors already here in America. Although the Census records do not usually give the place of birth in Norway, many give an additional "last name" or the farm name in Norway making it possible to trace a person back to Norway, and a person's age.
Norwegians in the 1850 U.S. Census
Norwegians in the 1860 U.S. Census
All of the United States Censuses from 1850-1920 give the birthplace of each person. The indexes at familySearch.org can be accessed under the Record Search Pilot Tab. The Norwegians can be isolated in each year by typing Norway into the location field and select "Birth/Christening". Record Search Pilot
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