What is Trønderlag of America?

The Trønderlag of America is a bygdelag (lag) — an organization or association of emigrants and their descendants from the Trøndelag region (middle) of Norway. Lags were established in the U.S. to maintain the ties to the homeland and provide a place for those emigrants to assemble at least once a year. Trønderlaget was established in 1908. The organization celebrated their Centennial in Fergus Falls, MN in 2008. The Trønderlag of America is a member of the Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad.

Our theme song is "Nidelven." Click here to listen. In case you want to sing along, you'll find the words to the song posted here.

Where is the Trøndelag region in Norway?

Trøndelag is in the middle of Norway, dividing the wider, southern part of Norway from the long, narrow northern part. Trøndelag is divided into two fylkes: Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag.

The capital of Trøndelag is Trondheim, Norway’s medieval capital, the country’s third largest city. The Gothic-style Nidaros Cathedral dominating its skyline has traditionally been the sight of the coronation of Norway’s kings, and most recently their family weddings. This graphic shows the parishes in the Nidaros diocese.

Trondheim was founded in 997 by Olav Tryggvason whose tall statue overlooks the city. The Nid river (Nidelven) flows through the city into the Trondheim Fjord. Trøndelag presents a wide range of scenery — mountains, valleys, lowlands, forests, streams, waterfalls, lakes, farms, cities and fishing villages. The old and the new exist side by side in Trøndelag.

What's the difference between Trønderlag and Trøndelag? Trønderlag (with an R) is the name of an organization. Trøndelag (without an R) is the name of a region of Norway.

Purpose of the Trønderlag of America

	To aid in the preservation of Norwegian history, culture and heritage for coming generations by collecting and preparing historical information and data relative to immigration and settlement and to encourage research and writing of family, immigration and settlement histories.
	To maintain communication and working relationships between the members of Trønderlag and other related organizations with Norwegian Heritage.
	To develop and maintain a library of resources, such as bygdeboker (farm histories), Norwegian church and government records and other such genealogical information.
	To maintain and enhance fellowship among the descendants of people from the Trøndelag area of Norway and to maintain a bond between Trønders in North America and Norway.

To further these purposes, the Trønderlag may hold conferences, symposia and other meetings, publish journals, books and other publications; seek and accept grants, gifts and contracts for any of the said foregoing purposes and, make available to the general public on a nondiscriminatory basis the results of its collection of information derived from the lag activities.

The symbol of the Trønderlag is the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Our theme song is "Nidelven."

Stevne

Once a year a Stevne (meeting or gathering) for all Tronders is held, usually in the summer. Because of the number of people of Norwegian ancestry in Minnesota, Stevne are frequently held somewhere in Minnesota but have also been scheduled in other states. Stevne activities include genealogy research, expert speakers about Norwegian cultural and educational topics, lag business meeting, tours, picnic, and usually concludes with the annual banquet. Those who own bunads (Norwegian regional or national costume) often wear them to the banquet.

Stevne 2008, held in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was well attended by Tronders because it coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the founding of our organization. This was a combined meeting of three lags: Trønderlag, Gudbrandsdalslag, and Nord Hedmark og Hedmarken lag. The attendance at this stevne set a new record with more than 300 attendees. Stevne 2012 will be held in Fargo, ND. Information about the stevne is mailed to members in the June newsletter each year and is available on our website. A site is currently being sought for Stevne 2013.

Genealogy Research Assistance

During the annual Stevne, a large portion of time is set aside for genealogy research using the lag resources. These resources include bygdebøker (farm histories) from many of the parishes that Trønderlag serves, personal family histories, as well other Norwegian reference books, and films of emigration protocols. Most of these are in the Norwegian language. A copy machine is available for participants to make copies of pages for their use later.

Seminars of genealogy interest are also often provided at the Stevne. Topics during the 2008 stevne included "Researching in Norway" and "Locating your Ancestral Farms and Relatives in Norway".

During the rest of the year, our lag genealogist, Barry Dahl, is available to do lookups and searches in the lag-owned genealogy materials. Lag members may contact him directly for assistance. There is no charge for lookups, although we ask for reimbursement for photo copies.

Donations to our genealogy resources are always welcome so that we can purchase additional resources. Contact the lag genealogist to learn about our specific needs or send monetary donations to the lag treasurer.

Newsletters

A newsletter, "Trønderlag Nyheter Brev", is published three times a year. Members receive the newsletter as part of their membership dues. It contains information about the activities of the Trønderlag and its stevnes as well as genealogical and cultural articles. There are interesting articles about its members in America and Norway and countless other topics relating to Trøndelag heritage.

Article contributions related to Trøndelag, your immigrant families, or other Trøndelag or Norway related topics are always welcome. Send them to the newsletter editor. You can request a sample newsletter.

Aarbok

In 2005 Trønderlag of America re-established the tradition of publishing a Trønderlag Aarbok (yearbook). This Aarbok is the first that the lag has published in more than 20 years. The purpose of the yearbook is to help us maintain a history of Trønderlag and share that history with lag members and others. Our special focus was immigrant biographies and we were highly successful in having a large number submitted for the book. Some biographies included several generations of families. Many included photos. The Lag published another Aarbok in 2006, a Centennial book in 2008, and a third Aarbok in 2008/2009. There are copies of all aarboks available from the lag at stevne.

Trip to Norway

Thirty-six members of Trønderlag of America toured the Trøndelag area in September 2005, visiting their ancestral farms and meeting relatives. Trønderlag organized and sponsored another trip to Norway in June 2010. This tour with 19 participants focused on places in Nord -Trøndelag and up to the Artic Circle. Another trip is tentatively planned for 2015.

Research Trip to Salt Lake City

During the winter, a research trip for "Tre Lag Stevne" cooperating lags for members is held in Salt Lake City. Attendees spend a week attending classes on Norwegian research and using all of the facilities of the LDS Genealogy Library. This is a yearly event, usually in February.