Descendants of Emigrants from the Telemark Region of Norway

a map of Norway with Telemark Fylke magnified and labeled
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.

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:

Telelaget Mini Stevne

April 24 – 26, 2025

New London/Spicer, Minnesota

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
snow covered mount gausta with treeline and house and in the foregroundsnow covered mount gausta with treeline and house and in the foreground
heddal stave church, wood church with multiple spires medievalheddal stave church, wood church with multiple spires medieval
water color painting of norwegian stabbur building, pastel tones, stabbur is on low stilts
water color painting of norwegian stabbur building, pastel tones, stabbur is on low stilts
norwegian stamp with a pioneer family and a sod housenorwegian stamp with a pioneer family and a sod house
white church with steeplewhite church with steeple
the root river with bluffs and treeline on the horizon, sun peaks through puffy clouds in a blue skythe root river with bluffs and treeline on the horizon, sun peaks through puffy clouds in a blue sky
a close up image of barley field
a close up image of barley field

Connections...Community...Culture

a smiling woman with an embrodiered shawl
a smiling woman with an embrodiered shawl
a woman and a man sit at a desk with reference books
a woman and a man sit at a desk with reference books
10 telelaget members stand in a stairwell
10 telelaget members stand in a stairwell
8 telelaget members sit outside under an awning
8 telelaget members sit outside under an awning
a man and a woman with ball caps sit smiling
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 smiling woman in a norwegian sweater stands next to two smiling men in tuxedos
a man stands next to a sculpture of a troll
a man stands next to a sculpture of a troll
twelve Telelaget members sit in a stairwell
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!

U.S. Memberships

Yearly-$25

3 Year-$70

Lifetime-$500

Norwegian Memberships

Yearly-280 kr

3 Year-760 kr

Lifetime-5425 kr

Outside U.S. and Norway Memberships

Yearly-$27

3 Year-$75

Lifetime-$540

Get in Touch

Email

contact@telelagetofamerica.com

Content Maintenance:

Upcoming Events: section should be changed as needed or at least annually. Change only the text box in this section.

Membership: If membership prices ever change, there are 3 text boxes in this section that will need to be edited.