The Naeseth Library in Madison is the headquarters of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and houses one of the country’s most important collections of research materials about Norwegian and Norwegian-American family history, genealogy, and immigration history.
The Library collection grew from the private library of our founder, Gerhard Naeseth, who started our organization in 1974 and donated the materials that he spent a lifetime collecting. Since Mr. Naeseth’s death in 1994, the Naeseth Library has grown and expanded.
Today, the strengths of the collection include an extensive collection of Norwegian farm and local histories (bygdebøker) and an impressive collection of Norwegian and Norwegian-American family histories. Search our collection here.
During your visit to the Naeseth Library, access to our collection is free to our members; non-members pay a nominal daily library access fee.
“I have found the NAGC & NL website to be a great help in tracking my Norwegian family. The personal attention from the staff at the library is over the top. Due to both the staff and the website, I have been able to reach back to the early 1600s and find information that is invaluable to my genealogical efforts. I thank the site for my being able to make first contact with the staff.” (David/Arkansas)