About Bygdelags

A Norwegian-American “bygdelag” is an organization of emigrant descendants from a particular area of Norway, now living in North America. Each “lag” seeks to preserve Norwegian cultural heritage, facilitate genealogical research, and strengthen bonds with its community-of-origin in Norway. There are over 30 bygdelag in America today. The parent organization is Bygdelagenes Fellesraad. (For more information about the lags go to the Bygdelagenes Fellesraad home page, click ‘About Us’ then select ‘Lag Information Sheets’)

About Hedmark

Hedemarken was originally part of Akershus amt (old administrative area similar to a county). The name translates to heathland or moorland, but can also refer to woodland. In 1781 it was separated from Oppland amt. Hedmark fylke (county) existed from January 1919 until January 2020 when it was combined into a new county, Innlandet, along with Oppland county.

Hedmark was divided into three traditional districts: Hedemarken, which was east of Lake Mjøsa, Østerdalen, the eastern valley with the upper part of the Glomma River north of Elverum, and Solør, with Glåmadalen, the river valley south of Elverum.

The Nord Hedmark og Hedemarken Lag covers the northern two thirds of the old Hedmark fylke (county) and encompasses the three districts of Nord Østerdal, Sør Østerdal, and Hedemarken/Hamar. (Solørlag represents the southern portion of  Hedmark.) 

History of NHOH Lag

After a year of planning and promotion, the Nord Hedmark og Hedemarken Lag was formed with the approval of Bygdelagenes Fellesraad at an organizational stevne at Madison, Wisconsin on August 18-19, 1995. The Lag is an expanded revival of the former Østerdalslaget which was formed during the first stevne at Fergus Falls, Minnesota on June 18, 1910 and dissolved in 1962. Membership of our Lag is made up of descendants and friends of immigrants from the portion of Hedmark north of Elverum, with about 20.3% residing in Wisconsin, 37.6% in Minnesota, 8.3% foreign and over 66% from other U.S. states. Kommune where most members have roots are Ringsaker, Folldal, Alvdal, Tynset, Nes and Stange. 

Ties to Norway

Our Lag seeks to learn more about the history and culture of our home districts, kommuner, parishes, and kinfolk. Bridges are built and liaison is maintained with the Norwegian Emigrant museum, the archives at Hamar, and the 18 Kommuner Historielag. Three issues per year of our newsletter (NHOH News) are sent to the above in exchange for yearbooks, genealogical, and other information. Some of our members live or have lived in Hedmark. Lag members communicate by e-mail with relatives and research genealogical web sites. Members travel to Hedmark to do genealogical research and to visit relatives and ancestral farms.

NHOH Bylaws

The bylaws of the Nord Hedmark og Hedemarken Lag are published here

501(c)(3) Organization

Nord Hedmark og Hedemarken Lag is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.