Dating from 1844, immigrant settlers principally from the traditional district of Sogn in Western Norway, came to the townships of Windsor and Vienna in Dane County. They settled in a region lying in the northwestern part of Windsor township the adjoining portion of the township of Vienna which became known as Norway Grove. In 1847, these settlers invited Rev. Johannes Wilhelm Christian Dietrichson from Koshkonong, Wisconsin to come and conduct worship services. In 1849, it was decided that they would organize a Norwegian language Lutheran Church congregation. (Group portrait at Lushågen in Sogn og Fjordene.
Photographer: Paul Stang. 1910)

We are honored to have Jerry Paulson, Naeseth Chair for Genealogical Research and Publication speak about this early Norwegian settlement in Dane County.  He has been a part of the Norwegian American Genealogy Center staff since he retired from his career with the University Hospitals in 2000. Doing genealogical research for over forty years, Jerry had an opportunity to work as a volunteer with Gerhard Naeseth in the early 1990’s, helping create one of the first computer databases for Norwegian-American genealogy. Among the many classes he has taught, Jerry offered genealogical instruction for over 25 years at Madison Area Technical College for adult continuing education. He now leads classes in Beginning Genealogy and Writing Your Family History at the Center, as well as a multitude of seminars for community groups, lag and stevne meetings, and museums associated with Norwegian-American heritage and culture. For nearly a decade, Jerry has been accompanying groups of researchers to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.