Norwegian American Genealogical Center > Founder & Current Leadership

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.

Board of Directors

Dan Huebner Chairman Emeritus Decorah, Iowa	C. Marvin Lang Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Lowell Olberg Chairman Wheaton, Illinois	Ann Leon Madison, Wisconsin
Paul Larson Vice Chairman Waunakee, Wisconsin	Anne V. Lindblom Verona, Wisconsin
Robert Anderson Treasurer Verona, Wisconsin	JoAnn Peterson Six Madison, Wisconsin
David Johansen Secretary Iowa City, Iowa	Ellen S. Aa. Vollebæk Oslo, Norway
Jon Grinde Madison, Wisconsin

Advisory Council

Kathleen Bergan Schmidt Chairman Crystal Lake, Illinois	Dianne Larson Waunakee, Wisconsin
Michael J. Bovre Madison, Wisconsin	John & Marcy Lovick Southlake, Texas
Audrey & Philip Dybdahl Madison, Wisconsin	David L. & Ann M. Nelson Stoughton, Wisconsin
Ella Fossum Racine, Wisconsin	Martha Gesme Nielsen Palatine, Illinois
Robert Fossum Chetek, Wisconsin	Howard Rockstad Thousand Oaks, California
Dean & Ann Urness Gesme Cedar Rapids, Iowa	Lee Rokke Apple Valley, Minnesota
Barbara Greenfeldt Washington Island, Wisconsin	Donald L. Ross Madison, Wisconsin
David Hardy Palatine, Illinois	John Skillrud Middleton, Wisconsin
Donald Hoganson Wheaton, Illinois	John W. Thompson Madison, Wisconsin
Gary T. Johnson Evanston, Illinois

Honorary Advisory Council

Marian Aaker Edina, Minnesota	Marilynn Amdal Madden Decatur, Illinois
Owen D. & Naomi F. Bekkum Madison, Wisconsin	Eugene J. Nordby Madison, Wisconsin
Dorothy Leon Madison, Wisconsin	A. Elizabeth Sande Rochester, Minnesota

Become a Member

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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Support NAGC & NL

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

“Your information was in the afternoon mail. I will gratefully mail a check tomorrow. Thank you so much. The 1844 date for Daniel’s date of birth was passed down from family members. You have the correct man. I loved this search but ran into a brick wall! Finding you was just awesome! Thank you so much. I am definitely interested in continuing this genealogy search as funds permit.”

- Lorna (California)