Telelaget of America | Telelaget of America

Descendants of Emigrants from the Telemark Region of Norway

a map of Norway with Telemark Fylke magnified and labeled

Telelaget of America is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history, culture, and customs of the Telemark region of Norway. Through educational programs, events, and resources, we aim to connect individuals with their Telemark heritage and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of our shared roots.

Become a Member

Events and Happenings

Telelaget’s unique historical resources and modern Telemark connections provide much more than a simple genealogy would. Connecting with other descendants of emigrants from Telemark, discovering stories of pioneers, finding an ancestor’s farm in a bygdebøk, and seeing Telemark culture, old and new, come alive at Stevne provide a different kind of link to Norway than a list of names and dates. A more expansive family history that can be experienced and passed on.

Join us!

Events and Happenings:

Crossings

Celebrate the bicentennial of Norwegian Migration in 2025. The Crossings website is a collaboration Norwegian and Norwegian American organizations designed to be the informational hub for bicentennial events and celebrations throughout 2025

Telelaget's Elaine Nordlie on Herbjorn Gausta's legacy

Joran Olson and Trudy Koepsell were featured on KELOLAND Living promoting Telelaget of America!

Watch

Join us at the Opera

Giants in the Earth:
Norwegians in North Dakota Territory
April 27, 2025 2:30 PM
Sioux Falls, SD

Information and Registration

Telelaget Mini Stevne

April 24 – 26, 2025

Spicer, Minnesota

Information and Registration

snow covered mount gausta with treeline and house and in the foreground

heddal stave church, wood church with multiple spires medieval

water color painting of norwegian stabbur building, pastel tones, stabbur is on low stilts

norwegian stamp with a pioneer family and a sod house

the root river with bluffs and treeline on the horizon, sun peaks through puffy clouds in a blue sky

Connections...Community...Culture

a smiling woman with an embrodiered shawl

a woman and a man sit at a desk with reference books

10 telelaget members stand in a stairwell

8 telelaget members sit outside under an awning

a man and a woman with ball caps sit smiling

a smiling woman in a norwegian sweater stands next to two smiling men in tuxedos

a man stands next to a sculpture of a troll

twelve Telelaget members sit in a stairwell

Join Telelaget and keep the bygdelag movement going!

Become a Telelag member and join a community of Telemark Norway's emigrant descendants as we continue to explore our connections to our roots and share our stories, histories, and discoveries. Members also get access to all of our exclusive publications and genealogy resources, as well as invitations to the annual Stevne, Norway tours, and other events. The historic Telesoga journal and our Telenews bulletin arrive biannually at your door for free!