Does anyone know of any know of any Norwegian groups where I can learn about my Norwegian heritage? I grew up in Arizona so obviously there is a lack of Norwegian culture here. I don't know any of my great grandfather's traditions and I am interested in learning it. Any help would be appreciated.
There is this wonderful group that I belong to called the Sons of Norway click here. They are world wide. I see that they have 4 lodges in Arizona, hopefully there is one by you. They have all kind of classes to learn about your heritage. The lodge that I belng to has genealogy classes, language classes, lefse making, Rosemaling & many others. Each month there is a meeting where we have dinner & there is a heritage program. This month we will learn the hstory of the Hardanger fiddle. You should check it out. They also all have an annual lutfisk dinner too!
Also check into joining any appropriate bygdelag groups (for the parts of Norway where your ancestors were from) - http://www.fellesraad.com/
If you are going to learn about the history of the Hardanger fiddle - perhaps they will show you photos of the Ole Jonsson Jåstad fiddle estimated to be dated from about 1651 - currently in a Bergen museum. I hope to go visit that museum one day - Ola Jonson Jåstad was one of my direct ancestors. http://www.hfaa.org/hardanger_fiddle.html
You also have the NorwayList at Rootsweb, a mailing list with many members and floods of postings. Many different aspects of Norwegian Heritage are discussed there.
Norway Heritage help!
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 20:17:17
