Vesterheim Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library was founded in 1974 in Madison, Wisconsin, as a division of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. The first director was Gerhard B. Naeseth, a prominent figure in the study of Norwegian-American genealogy and immigration.

Today, the center is involved in a variety of activities related to Norwegian-American genealogy. These activities include researching and publishing a five volume work of early Norwegian immigrants, participation in genealogical and Norwegian-American conferences and events, and genealogical research for the public.

The Center has a large number of sources for use in Norwegian-American research: church records, censuses, emigration lists, bygdebooks, family histories, etc.

The language section includes a brief history of the Norwegian language, a list of Americanized names and a dictionary commonly encountered in Norwegian records. And a brief list of books related to Norwegian immigration and Norwegian-American genealogy.

Sogn og Fjordane fylke, through Fylkesarkivet, has cooperated closely with Vesterheim Genealogical Center since the early 1990's.

Vesterheim Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library
415 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608/255.2224
Fax: 608/255.6842

Carol Culbertson
Director
cculbertson@mcleodusa.net