How to find your Norwegian ancestors

We will here try to help you finding your Norwegian ancestors, mostly by using the Internet.

Most people start by searching in the 1900 census. This census is available at the "Digital Archive." If you press "Digital Archive", a new window will open showing all the databases in this archive. In this window you will be told how to find your ancestors there. Alternate between these two windows.

At the Digital Archive, you can choose "Municipality" or "Source Categories." In this example, you chose "Source Categories", then "Censuses", then "1900", then "Bergen" and at the end "1900 Census for 1301 Bergen". You have now entered a database with more than 67 000 names. To find the person you are searching for, it's very important to search in the right way.

Let's search for Konrad Olsen. To the left we choose "Fornavn" (First Name), in the middle "Starting with" (or "contains", never choose "equals") and to the right we write "Kon". Press "Search". You now get a list with more than 200 names. Choose all the names that might be the right person by using the mouse and press "Finn postane".

We still have more than 200 persons. To narrow the search, choose "Etternavn" (Family Name) to the left, choose "Starting with" in the middle and write "Ols". Press "Search". Now we just get a few persons left. Choose the Olsons by using the mouse and press "Finn postane".

Out of all the 67 000 persons in Bergen in 1900, we now have just a few left. If the Konrad Olson, born in 1896 is the right person, press the number (21 295) to the left and we get all the information about him and his family.

When you have used the "Digital Archive" please try the other links at our Link Page. Some suggestions:

*Information about Local Genealogical Books ("Bygdebooks")

*Find the Farm Names at the Documentation Project. (Choose "Rygh")

*Try other Archives, like "Sogn and Fjordane County Archive".

*Search for literature at the Libraries.

*Search for photos at "Sogn and Fjordane County Archive" or "Knudsenbilder".

*Try local Home Pages.

When you start to find your ancestors, it's important to find some software where to register all the names, dates and stories. Use our Survey of Genealogical Software. Later on you perhaps want to make a Home Page to present your ancestors.