ARCHIVES

The heart of the NAHA archives is its extensive manuscript collection, which includes letters, diaries, journals and ledgers, newspaper clippings, obituaries, congregational records, family and local histories, and other resources related to Norwegians in America. The archival collection also includes photographs illustrating all aspects of Norwegian-American history. The archives are available to NAHA members and non-members, but fees are charged for most services.

Online Research

Online researchers can search the NAHA archives in three different ways.

• Leif, is the online search engine for NAHA manuscripts and photographs. It allows keyword searching of collections, groups of documents and images.
• A published guide to the archives is available in PDF format.
• The NAHA site index searches the volumes of Norwegian-American Studies that have been scanned and are available online.

Online Resources

• Norwegian-American Studies Volumes 1-33 of Norwegian-American Studies, our scholarly journal of Norwegian-American History, are available online in a printable format.
• A list of Norwegian-American Newspapers published in the United States is available. Search by newspaper name, state or city of publication, or browse the entire list.
• Norwegian-American Images Our developing online image collection can be searched in a variety of ways. Image reproduction fees are detailed below.
• Hovland Index (Rolvaag Library holdings of Bygdebøker) See also: Hovland Map index. Search the Hovland Index to identify which Bygdebøker (Norwegian Community History Books) are located in the Rolvaag Library, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN.
• Links These external web sites may assist you in conducting research on Norway, Norwegian Immigration and the Norwegian language.

Researching at NAHA

Researchers are welcome to use the NAHA archives in person. Arrangements can be made to use the NAHA archives by calling the archivists at (507) 786-3229 or by e-mailing naha-archivists@stolaf.edu to make an appointment. Appointments should generally be made several days in advance and for our regularly posted hours of 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Afternoon hours are also often available but only by advance appointment. The archivists are happy to assist visitors in finding appropriate resources, but we are able to undertake research for others only when our schedules allow and only upon pre-payment of research fees. We can answer simple research questions on the telephone and by e-mail, but we may need a few days to respond.

Fees

• Daily Fees
  Visitors who are not members of NAHA pay a daily fee of $15 for use of NAHA resources. Non-members may join NAHA at the time of their first visit. Daily fees are waived for members and for students.

• Research Fees
  Staff responses to research questions that require more than 30 minutes of work are undertaken only upon pre-payment for one hour of research at $20 (members), $40 (non-members), or $60 (commercial). Additional hourly charges may apply.

• Reproduction Fees
  Reproduction fees are collected in advance of any work. The fragile condition of many manuscripts and photographs may preclude any form of duplication. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the processing of all reproduction orders.
  • Photocopying Fees
    We will make photocopies at 15 ¢ a page, if the condition of materials and staff time permits. (This fee includes defrayment for staff time).
  • Fees for Images
    • Fees of $2.50 apply for copying, scanning, or e-mailing individual images ($5.00 minimum), which may also be placed on CDs for an additional $2.00 charge.
    • Duplicate copies of photographs may be made for $10.00 ($20.00 minimum).
    • A minimum fee of $50 will be charged for scanning images at resolutions higher than 300 dpi.
  • Fees for Publication or Commercial Use of Documents and Images
    • $10 for each publicaton or commercial reproduction of a document.
    • $100 for each publication or commercial use of an image.
• Postage Fees
  Postage/handling fees of $4.00 apply to orders sent out by NAHA staff.

Other Norwegian-American Resources at St. Olaf

Norwegian-American books and newspapers belonging to NAHA are housed in the St. Olaf College Library and may be identified with the St. Olaf-Carleton on-line catalog, Bridge. Rare Norwegian-American imprints (books and pamphlets) are housed in the library vault, as indicated in Bridge. Access to these materials requires advance notice to the circulation desk (507-786-3224). The library also houses a rich collection of Norwegian-American materials of its own, including bygdebøker.

Donations of Archival Material

The NAHA archives actively collects manuscripts (correspondence, diaries, famiy histories), local and congregational histories, photographs, and recordings that document the history of Norwegians in North America (including Canada). We do not collect books published in Norway, although we will accept the donation of bygdebøker and Norwegian-American imprints not already in the St. Olaf Library collection. Materials from post-World War II Norwegian immigrants are a collecting priority. Donors can be assured that materials will be properly preserved and that donating families will retain access to their records. All donations to the NAHA archives will be acknowledged in writing. Although we prefer original materials, we will accept copies or make copies for donors who wish to retain originals.

Translation from Norwegian to English

The NAHA archivists are not able to provide Norwegian translation services. NAHA does maintain a list of translators who may be hired to provide such services.