The Digital Norwegian National Library

I was really excited to find a great number of Norwegian books digitized and available for free from the National Library in Norway (click here).  I tested it out by searching for some bygdeboks I really wanted, and I found several!  These books are essential sources of information for Norwegian genealogy research.  The ones I found were downloadable as a PDF, too.  Some books haven't been digitized yet, but I believe they eventually will be.  The site does say that in some cases books may not be available for download outside of Norway due to copyright issues.  Check it out!

Don't Forget to Nominate your Favorite Blogs!

Nominations for your favorite genealogy blogs are due on Tuesday November 30.  Don't forget to go here and nominate the blogs you read the most.  Family Tree Magazine will announce 40 fantastic genealogy blogs in an article to be published July 2011. (See last year's Family Tree 40 at http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/Fab-Forty.)  You can also visit this page to learn more.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Seven More Days -- Norway's 1910 Census

This snapshot was taken with 6 days, 15 hours, 29 minutes, and 45 seconds to go for the release of the 1910 census!

In seven days (December 1), Norway's 1910 census will be available for free here.  I am very excited about this because I will have another glimpse into my ancestors' lives.  The census will tell you where they lived, all the occupants of the home, occupation, and I believe this census has birth dates rather than a year or age.  In earlier censuses, the year of birth is often off a year or two.  The 1910 census has one major difference in that it included a special form for returning emigrants which recorded where they had lived and what their occupations had been; however, this data is expected to be incomplete.

Personally, I am excited to have a look at this census because somehow two of my most important ancestral families were not included in the 1900 census.  The two farms, By and Jordbaerhaugen, happened to be adjoining and a bit far off in Baerum, so perhaps they were accidentally forgotten. 

Happy hunting in the 1910 census! 

Wordless Wednesday -- Burudhaug

Burudhaug Farm (sometimes known as Haugen) in Baerum, Norway. My
great-great grandfather Olaus Kristensen Jordbaerhaugen (1846 - 1915)
grew up on this farm.  I believe a descendant of his brother lives
there today.

Progen Study Group -- Month 2

October was the second month for the ProGen Study Group. You can read about September here.

We continued to read in the Professional Genealogy text book.  We were assigned Chapter 2 – Educational Preparation by Claire Mire Bettag, CGRS and Chapter 8 – Alternative Careers by Elizabeth Kelly Kerstens, CGRS.

Chapter 2 was about degree or credit programs in the field of genealogy, such as those offered at BYU.  It also discussed the Home Study Course provided by the National Genealogical Society, which is on my list to complete.  Numerous conferences and other learning options are also discussed.  Chapter 8 discussed alternative careers and opportunities in genealogy other than the usual careers.

The assignment for October was to write an education plan and share it with my group. I listed all my strengths and then delved into my weaknesses.  I will share what I perceive to be areas I need to improve:

Self-Identified Weaknesses

• Most of my experience has been online, and I need more familiarity with onsite research – libraries, courthouses etc...

• Have yet to attend a genealogy conference

• I need to study more genealogy journals

• I like to do everything at once rather than patiently complete one thing at a time

• I need to take the time to really organize my research and tasks better

• Participate more in blog carnivals, especially when the topic is educational

• I need to find time to volunteer more

Specific Future Goals

2011 - 2012

• Genealogy Research Associates – online lessons (free)

• BYU online courses (free)

• Study the Daughters of the American Revolution Database (free)

• Read the genealogy educational content on the National Archives Site (free)

• NGS Home Study Course

• Attend an NGS conference

• Create personal family history books

• Learn photo restoration

• Join more genealogical societies like the APG

• Develop a business Web site

2012 - 2013

• Take a trip to Salt Lake City and research at the Family History Library for a week

• Take a trip to Sicily for onsite research

2013 – 2014

• BU Certificate in Genealogical Research

• BCG Certification may be an alternate to the BU certificate program, or I may do both... but not at the same time

During our monthly discussion on November 7, we discussed the chapters we had read for October and shared educational experiences and desires.

Thanks for tuning in...

Tombstone Tuesday -- The Cemetery of Haslum Church in Baerum

Haslum Church in Baerum, Norway, was built around 1190.  Many
of my ancestors were baptized, confirmed, married, and buried here.