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Founder & Current Leadership

Professor GERHARD B. NAESETH

The core of the Genealogical Center research collection was assembled by Gerhard B. Naeseth (1913-1994), who was internationally renowned in the field of Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy and immigration.

A former University of Wisconsin professor, Naeseth served as associate director for the libraries of the University of Wisconsin from 1948-1978. During his tenure at the University of Wisconsin, he helped build one of the largest collections of Norwegian local & genealogical history in the United States.

Following his retirement, he administered the Genealogical Center, beginning in his home and later in the present quarters. In 1990, the genealogical research library was named in his honor. In 1993, he completed and published volume one of his massive research, “Norwegian Immigrants to the United States: A Biographical Guide, 1825-1850.”

In 2001, the Genealogical Center established the Gerhard B. Naeseth Chair for Genealogical Research and Publication as a tribute to his lifetime accomplishments in the field of Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy.

New Board Chairman Paul Larson (left) thanks former Board Chairman Lowell Olberg for his years of service to NAGC. December 2017

Board of Directors

Paul Larson Chairman Waunakee, Wisconsin	Robert M. Fossum Chetek, Wisconsin
C. Marvin Lang Vice Chairman Stevens Point, Wisconsin	Scott R. Johnson Madison, Wisconsin
David Johansen Treasurer Iowa City, Iowa	Anne V. Lindblom Verona, Wisconsin
Ken Larson Secretary Batavia, Illinois	JoAnn Peterson Six Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Lowell Olberg Chairman Emeritus Wheaton, Illinois	Ellen Smithback Stoughton, Wisconsin
Paul M. Berge Middleton, Wisconsin	John W. Thompson Madison, Wisconsin

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By becoming a member, you not only gain benefits for your family history research, you also support a worthy cause.

Your annual membership helps you, your family, and a wide community discover their roots and preserve a treasured heritage.

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NAGC & NL relies upon donations of all types from its members and friends throughout the world.

All gifts, whether large or small, are essential to the work of the Center, an important non-profit organization of international scope that is dedicated to preserving Norwegian-American history and heritage.

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Testimonials

“Solveig, thank you again for making the translations of my Great great grandfather's letters possible. I am told they were a big hit at the Thorstad reunion last weekend. I even learned a couple of things about my grandmother's side of the family!”

- Pat (Kentucky)