Annual Meeting(stevne)
2024 Stevne August 6-8, 2024, Wilmar, Minnesota.
Our annual meeting is called a "stevne". This is
your chance to connect with others who love this part
of Norway. Take part in genealogy labs with research
assistance using the our resources (books, films,
maps, family histories). Stevner (plural of stevne)
also feature seminars on cultural and historical
Norwegian-American topics, a traditional banquet and
many other enjoyable activities! We partner with 4
other "lags" and refer to our stevne as the "FLERE LAG
STEVNE" (the stevne of many (5) lags) partnering for a
better overall experience for our collective members
by sharing the costs for the venue, speakers, etc.
Stevne programs may feature a variety of Norwegian
cultural and educational activities. Displays of
Norwegian arts and crafts, consumption of ethnic
foods, choral and instrumental music, books and
readings, fiddlers and folk dancing, genealogy
classes, noted speakers, video tapes, and Norwegian
language in signs, songs or speech may be used.
Details are on our Stevne Page.
Membership
We currently have hundreds of members in 36 states plus Canada and Norway and even have one member in England!
Our dues are very modest with U.S. memberships of
$12/1 year, $22/2 years and $30/3years. Canadian
memberships are $13/year and Norwegian memberships are
$15/year. Lifetime memberships are $200 for any
member. Spouses and partners are included at no
additional cost. Details are on our Membership Page.
Genealogy
Research
Our Genealogist and volunteers will help you.
Trønderlag of America's
collection of research materials, targeted at
North and South Trøndelag, is believed to be the
largest in the world (with the possible
exception of the Family History Center in Salt Lake
City or the Library of Congress), and is continually
updated and expanded. If you are traveling to
Trøndelag, please contact our Genealogist for a list
of documents to buy and bring back. We will
reimburse you for any document costs. Details are on
our Genealogy
Research Assistance Page.
TRAVEL (for research and to experience Norway).
Every five years we travel to Trøndelag for family history research and to visit family and friends. Our travel also takes us to other parts of Norway.
ABOUT US
Trønderlag of America
OUR HISTORY
In March of 1904 a group of Trønders met to plan a Trønderlaget stevne but failed. After some effort Trønderlaget (later Tronderlag of America) was created on September 17, 1908 at Fergus Falls, Minnesota.There were 120 charter members but before the next stevne, more than 400 joined. In 1925 the membership had grown to 2,556 to become one of the largest stevner.
Constitution and Bylaws
OUR PUBLICATIONS
TRØNDERLAG NYHETSBREV: Members receive our newsletter, Trønderlag Nyhetsbrev, - a 12-16 page newsletter, three times a year. It contains information about the activities of the Trønderlag and its stevner as well as genealogical and cultural articles.ÅRBØKER (year books): 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.
OUR MEMBERSHIPS:
Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes FellesraadMinnesota Council of Non Profits
Our Board members are members of multiple organizations in the United States and Norway.
Bygdelagenes Fellesraad
THE "UMBRELLA" ORGANIZATION OVER MANY BYGDELAGS
"Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad" (NABF), is the national council for the twenty-nine (currently active) affiliated Norwegian-American Bygdelag.Founded on November 17, 1916, the Fellesraad has been continuously active in the bygdelag movement for over one hundred years.
Trønderlag of America is one of the many bygdelags.
In Norway, a bygd - pronounced "big-dh", Is a region or district (tied together by common traditions). The word is a variation on the word bygge (to build) or a "built up place".
Like many groups of immigrants, Norwegians from the same area wanted a connection to the "old country" and started attending a convention each year to maintain this link. Attendance could range from the hundreds to the thousands. These groups were called "bygdelags" (organizations of people from the same area with the same interests).
The Bygdelagenes Fellesraad web site
explains its purpose and lists information about
each of the bygdelags. You may find information
about your Norwegian heritage at more than one.
CONTACT US
Membership
Trønderlag Membership2239 SE 28th Street
Cape Coral, Florida 33904