About Norwegian Historical Societies

What are they?

Norwegian historical societies (historielag, sogelag and lokalhistorielag) are local, volunteer-run organizations dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural history of their regions.

The structure

Norway is divided into fylker (counties). Each county has several local societies. Our directory makes it easy to locate the correct regional group based on area, town, or historical parish.

Who these societies help

• Genealogists researching Norwegian ancestors
• People interested in local place history
• Students and researchers
• Heritage organizations abroad

Most societies communicate in Norwegian, but many can respond in English when needed. Response time varies because they are volunteer-based.