Digital Collections

Established in 1925, the Norwegian American Historical Association is home to an extensive manuscript collection that includes letters, diaries, journals and ledgers, newspaper clippings, obituaries, congregational records, family and local histories, and other resources related to Norwegians in America. The collection also includes photographs illustrating many aspects of Norwegian-American history. The NAHA archives are open by appointment. Arrangements can be made to use the NAHA archives by calling (507) 786-3450 or by emailing archivist@norwegianamericanhistory.org.

Searching Tips

Check out our resource guide for searching our catalog and digital collections. Keep in mind the Norwegian special characters when searching: Æ æ Ø ø Å å Ä ä Ö ö. Need help? Please contact the NAHA Archivist.

Other Resources:

Collections Catalog is the online search engine for NAHA archival collections.
Resource Guides and Digital Exhibits provide curated information on selected topics.
Rokke Name Index provides information about people, places, and other topics located in the NAHA Archival collections.
Lutheran Herald Index locates articles from this periodical written about or by Norwegian-Americans who were clergy, members, or otherwise associated with the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Rowberg Index provides access to our Rowberg collection of newspaper clippings, including obituaries and other biographical data.

Explore NAHA's Digital Collections

Ove Rosdail (Danielsen) Letters

Two letters addressed to Rosdail (La Salle County, Illinois). The first, written in English by Lars Ellickson of Company G, 1st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, reports on the death of Rosdail’s brother-in-law, Cornelius Cothrien (1814–1847). The second, from Ole Johnson [Eide] of Kendall, New York, pertains to the sale of land.
View the items in Ove Rosdail (Danielsen) Letters
American Relief for Norway, Inc. Papers (P0646)

Founded in 1940 immediately after Nazi Germany's invasion of Norway, American Relief for Norway, Inc. (first named Norwegian Relief, Inc.) was the largest Norwegian-American relief organization in operation during World War II. With a mission to relieve distress among the people of Norway, activities included fundraising, clothing drives, food shipments, publicity, and participation with other aid groups and initiatives.

Funding to digitize a portion of the American Relief for Norway, Inc. Papers provided to NAHA through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, a component of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment, ratified by Minnesota voters in 2008.
View the items in American Relief for Norway, Inc. Papers (P0646)
Jacob Stefferud Papers (P0592)

The Jacob Stefferud papers document his work as chief clerk for the Norwegian America Line in New York and Minneapolis, his role as acting consul for Norway, and his service as a commissioner for Nordmanns-Forbundet. The digitized selections highlight Stefferud’s World War II activities, including lecture materials on Norway and the war, records from the Norwegian Clothing Drive and the Norwegian Relief Committee of Minneapolis, photographs and meeting books related to Camp Little Norway and the Camp Little Norway Association, correspondence concerning the Norwegian Consulate in Minneapolis, and letters with Stefferud’s family and friends in occupied Norway. The collection also contains sixteen 16mm publicity films created to support relief efforts.

Funding to digitize a portion of the Jacob Stefferud Papers provided to NAHA through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, a component of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment, ratified by Minnesota voters in 2008.
View the items in Jacob Stefferud Papers (P0592)
Hermana Rye Haugan Papers (P0908)

Hermana Rye Haugan was a prominent Norwegian-American community leader in Chicago who, as Secretary of the Chicago Working Center for Norway from 1940 to 1945, organized sewing and knitting initiatives that mobilized women to support relief efforts during and after World War II.

Funding to digitize portions of the Hermana Rye Haugan papers was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
View the items in Hermana Rye Haugan Papers (P0908)