Virtual Stevne

Videos of most of this year's virtual stevne sessions are available for viewing on YouTube.

History of Syttende Mai presented by Terje Mikael Hasle Joranger

Syttende Mai is the most important national holiday in Norway. It celebrates the signing of the Norwegian Constitution on May 17, 1814. Our guest presenter will be Terje Mikael Hasle Joranger from Norway, who will tell us about the history of Syttende Mai. We will have the opportunity to ask questions after the presentation. Our speaker has a background as a migration and ethnic history scholar and is the director of the Norwegian Emigrant Museum in Hamar, Norway.

How Syttende Mai Is Celebrated in Small Norwegian Communities This session will explore how Syttende Mai is celebrated outside the large Norwegian urban centers with special attention to the 7+ Lag areas.

Hymns of My Great-Grandfather presented by Sandra Fjelstad Gilbert

While growing up, Sandra Fjelstad Gilbert knew almost nothing about her extended Fjelstad family. But after she retired and focused on her family research, she discovered that she was in for many adventures and huge surprises. In this presentation, Sandy discusses the stories of her great-grandparents, Reverend Rolf Knutson (Rollefson) Fjelstad and Sylvia Persdatter Wangsness, the churches they attended and served, and a treasured book of hymns Rolf had composed and authored, some of which will be played during the presentation.

Scandinavian Blacksmithing at Goose Prairie Forge presented by Doug Swenson

Doug Swenson will tell us about his working blacksmith shop in Hawley, Minnesota. He has been recreating the time period from about 1885 to 1910. Doug has gained attention from both National and International Audiences and has appeared on the show “America’s Lost Vikings”. He is working with researchers to help recreate tools from the late Viking Age based on archaeological finds from Scandinavia. We think that this presentation will give you insight into a craft that has gained new interest.

The Pilgrim's Trail presented by Jahn Børe Jahnssen

Noted historian Jahn Børe Jahnsen from Valdres, Norway will share a presentation about the popular Pilgrimsleden or Pilgrims Trail in Norway. We will hear the history of the trails and see maps and various trail markers. Jahn will share some of his own personal pictures from when he has walked the trails himself. We will find that they all lead to Trondheim!

Family Search Norway Wiki Page presented by Jeff Svare

This presentation will focus on Norwegian genealogical content in the FamilySearch Research Wiki. The presentation will also include Wiki content related to Norwegian Historical Records collections available on FamilySearch and Nordic material available on the FamilySearch Learning Center. There’s much more to the Wiki than you may be familiar with, and there’s sure to be something new for you to learn!

We were not authorized to make recordings of two sessions presented by staff of the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah Iowa available to the public.