Archives with Norwegian American collections:

Augustana College, Center for Western Studies
2001 S. Summit Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57197 (605) 274-4921 Website

The Center for Western Studies is an archival and publishing agency of Augustana College, historically a Norwegian-American college. Through its collections, exhibits, book publishing, conferences, and art shows, the Center seeks to preserve and interpret the history and cultures of the northern plains.

By appointment only. Access fees apply ($30 for first day and $15 per day thereafter). Contact Amanda Jenson, Collections Assistant at (605) 274-5017.

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Luther College Preus Library
Decorah, IA 52101 (319/387-1001) Website Preus Library, completed in 1969, holds a collection of more than 330,000 volumes as well as audio-visual materials, and archival collections. The library’s web-based catalog, Magnus, provides access to these volumes, over 1,000 currently subscribed periodicals, video recordings, music scores, sound recordings, and other materials in the library’s collection.

The library’s home page also serves as a portal to selected databases, full-text journals and information resources on the World Wide Web, including JSTOR, Project Muse, Academic Search Premier, and many subject-specific resources.

The library also has a large collection of farm books (Bygdebøker).

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Minnesota Historical Society
345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102 (651/296-6126) Website

The Minnesota Historical Society's Library contains printed materials, including books, pamphlets, serials, microfilm and newspapers, all of which document the state, its people and its culture.

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

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.

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Norwegian American Genealogical Center (NAGC)
415 West Main Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608)255-2224 Website

The Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library is among the world's leading resources for Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy. Through its collections, research, outreach, and publications, the Center strives to maintain and enhance its role as the most comprehensive source about Norwegian immigrants, their ancestors, and their descendants.

Members can visit the Library without charge; non-members pay a $15 per day fee. Visits can be made weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may enlist the help of a researcher during your visit by calling in advance to make an appointment, or emailing genealogy@nagcnl.org.

You may fill out a research request form that is provided on their website. The enquiry will be handled by one of the staff genealogy experts. They will communicate with you about the content, time-frame, and estimated charges of your request. The research staff has a depth of experience, making it possible for them to answer requests and conduct research in the most time-efficient way. NAGC website

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South Dakota State Historical Society, Cultural Heritage Center
Pierre, South Dakota Website

The State Archives of the South Dakota State Historical Society collects, appraises, accessions, describes, organizes, preserves, determines significance, and makes available manuscript collections, South Dakota state, county, and town government records, photographs, maps, and other archival materials which have permanent historical and research value.

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State Historical Society of North Dakota, North Dakota Heritage Center
612 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 5805 (701)328-2091 Website

The State Archives is responsible for the documentary collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. It is the official state archives, and acquires and preserves all types of research materials relating to North Dakota and the Northern Great Plains, including manuscript collections, books, periodicals, maps, newspapers, audio and video materials, and photographs.

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University of Minnesota
309 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 626-2227 Website Library Website

University of Minnesota has some excellent sources for Norwegian and Norwegian-American Genealogy. They include general guides to genealogy, maps, Norwegian language dictionaries, and internet resources.

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University of North Dakota, Chester Fritz Library
P.O. Box 9000, Grand Forks, ND 58202 (701)777-4625 Website The Chester Fritz Library is the main library in the University of North Dakota system and is designated a U.S. Patent and Trademark depository and a regional depository of U.S. Government publications. The Library's Special Collections Department preserves unique, historical records and offers a large collection of genealogical resources. Read More

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