Genealogy‎ > ‎Genealogy Resources‎ > ‎

Research Centers and Libraries

Family History Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) - Oakton, Virginia
Pam Massaglia hosted the GIG at the Virginia Family History Center in Oakton, Va., for our February 2010 meeting.

Library of Congress - Washington, DC
Before going to the Reading Room for the first time, you need to obtain a Reading Registration Card on the first floor of the James Madison Memorial Building. The entrance is on Independence Avenue (maps and floor plans). Some LOC databases can be accessed from your home; others are only available at the LOC or other libraries.

Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library - Madison, Wisconsin
According to the Center's brochure,  it has been "the premier Norwegian-American research center in the United States for over 30 years. Founded in 1974 by Professor Gerhard B. Naeseth, eminent scholar of Norwegian genealogy and immigration, NAGC & NL has dedicated itself to collecting, preserving, and researching Norwegian-American heritage and family history." Blaine Hedberg is the Executive Director. Verlyn Anderson is a member of the Board of Directors.

The Center has the following genealogical resources:
  • Norwegian parish records (dating from the 17th century to the 20th century) that provide information about baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, and emigration
  • Census records from Norway (1801, 1865, 1875, and 1900)
  • Norwegian and Norwegian-American church records
  • American Lutheran Church Records
  • U.S. and Canada passenger lists
  • U.S. cemetery transcripts
  • Local histories (bygdeboker) from Norway
  • Norwegian and Norwegian-American family histories
  • Norwegian and Norwegian-American reference books

Thomas Birch Library - Alexandria, Virginia
Need to fill in some information about this one

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - Decorah, Iowa

 From their website: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum embodies the living heritage of Norwegian immigrants to America. Sharing this cultural legacy can inspire people of all backgrounds to celebrate tradition.

With 16 historic buildings in its main complex, which occupies most of a square block in downtown Decorah, Iowa, and two National Register sites just outside the city, Vesterheim houses over 24,000 artifacts, which include large samplings from the fine, decorative, and folk arts, and the tools and machinery of early agriculture, lumbering, and other immigrant industries.



Library of Congress photo credit: Hugaholic via Creative Commons
Vesterheim photo credit: Jonathunder via Creative Commons