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Solørlag of America |
a bygdelag for people with roots in Hedmark fylke norway
Velkommen! Welcome! We are so glad that you found us. Whether you are a visitor, a new member, a long-time member, family tree beginner or experienced ancestor hunter, it is our sincere hope that you will find much of use for you here. It is our quest to provide resources to educate and connect you with your Norwegian roots, as well as to connect you with others who share those roots and interests.
Our 2026 Stevne will held at the
DoubleTree by Hilton
Austin, MN
September 15-18
NOTE MONTH CHANGE
Use the link below to book your room for the upcoming stevne
www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=AUMTIDT&arrivalDate=2026-09-14&departureDate=2026-09-18&groupCode=CDTFLG&room1NumAdults=1&cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink
DoubleTree by Hilton
Austin, MN
September 15-18
NOTE MONTH CHANGE
Use the link below to book your room for the upcoming stevne
www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=AUMTIDT&arrivalDate=2026-09-14&departureDate=2026-09-18&groupCode=CDTFLG&room1NumAdults=1&cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink
Finnskog & Solør Research Workshop
15 Sept 2026 1:30 pm
Solørlag will hold a genealogical research workshop on Tuesday, Sept 15th at Flere Lag Stevne in DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, 1701 4th St NW, Austin MN 55912.
It will begin with a lecture in Salon C on the general history and details of Finnskog, along with an introduction to some of the major sources used in Finnskog and Solør area research. The remainder of the afternoon you can then use for research on your Finnskog and Solør lines, with assistance from our Lag Genealogists and Specialists (Elaine Hasleton, Shanna Kurth, Rod Kurth).
Please PRE-REGISTER by July 10th by email to Elaine Hasleton at [email protected] if you would like to participate in this workshop. In your email, please state specifics (name of ancestor’s birth/marriage/death dates, parish, farm residence, and your Forest Finn family name, if you know it) for those individuals you want to research. That will allow additional assistance from several area specialists in Norway. We look forward to working with you!
15 Sept 2026 1:30 pm
Solørlag will hold a genealogical research workshop on Tuesday, Sept 15th at Flere Lag Stevne in DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, 1701 4th St NW, Austin MN 55912.
It will begin with a lecture in Salon C on the general history and details of Finnskog, along with an introduction to some of the major sources used in Finnskog and Solør area research. The remainder of the afternoon you can then use for research on your Finnskog and Solør lines, with assistance from our Lag Genealogists and Specialists (Elaine Hasleton, Shanna Kurth, Rod Kurth).
Please PRE-REGISTER by July 10th by email to Elaine Hasleton at [email protected] if you would like to participate in this workshop. In your email, please state specifics (name of ancestor’s birth/marriage/death dates, parish, farm residence, and your Forest Finn family name, if you know it) for those individuals you want to research. That will allow additional assistance from several area specialists in Norway. We look forward to working with you!
Trip to Solør/Finnskog Areas of Norway & Sweden
Solørlag is looking at sponsoring a trip to the Solør and Finnskog Areas of Hedmark County, Norway and Värmland County, Sweden.
Date: Mid-July 2027
Time: Approximately two weeks
Proposed agenda: Attend Finnskog Days (Finnskogdagene) in Svullrya, Norway; visit all or some of the seven parishes in Solør; visit several key museums in the Solør area (including the new Skogfinsk Museum in Svullrya, Norway); visit some of the main farms in the Solør area; visit the Norwegian Emigrant Museum in Ottestad (Hamar), Norway; sight-seeing in Oslo (if you are interested); possible visit to the National Library in Oslo; interact with several experts in Solør research and Finnskog (both Norwegian & Swedish) research; classes taught by the experts.
We would like to help you locate your ancestral farm/s and meet some relatives.
If you are interested, please fill out this form and return it to Elaine Hasleton at [email protected] or Rod & Shanna Kurth at [email protected] or our postal addresses as listed in the Solørlag newsletter or turn it in at Stevne
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YOUR NAME & CONTACT INFO:
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS:
WHAT LOCALITIES OR PARISHES IN SOLØR/FINNSKOG ARE YOUR ANCESTORS FROM:
IF YOU ARE FINNSKOG, WHAT ARE YOUR FINNISH FAMILY NAMES:
From the Solorlag Facebook page:
Here’s a site you must bookmark and visit often. Great stuff. Here’s a posting from Luci J. Baker Johnson on the Facebook site Iowa Norwegians - Genealogy: Here is another interesting image / map found in Norlie's book "The History of Norwegians in America". It's found on page 171. There is a key in the bottom right corner that provides insight to the various communities. The book was published in 1925, so the map dates to that time frame. The big community of Norwegians was west of Chicago. Many soon moved to Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota when land opened up and transportation became much easier.
Here’s a site you must bookmark and visit often. Great stuff. Here’s a posting from Luci J. Baker Johnson on the Facebook site Iowa Norwegians - Genealogy: Here is another interesting image / map found in Norlie's book "The History of Norwegians in America". It's found on page 171. There is a key in the bottom right corner that provides insight to the various communities. The book was published in 1925, so the map dates to that time frame. The big community of Norwegians was west of Chicago. Many soon moved to Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota when land opened up and transportation became much easier.
MARIE tHOMPSON, LONG TIME SOLORLAG MEMBER AND PAST PRESIDENT
Hazel Marie Thompson March 9, 1938 — March 18, 2025 Mason City H Marie Thompson, 87, died Monday March 18, 2025, at Safe Haven House in Georgetown, TX. Hazel Marie Crawford was born March 9, 1938, in McConnelsville, Ohio. She graduated from West Milton High School in 1959. She very much disliked her first name in part due to the tv sit com Hazel. After High School she went by Marie. Marie married Carlos April 26, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio. They lived in Waterloo, IA from 1959 to 1963. They moved to Mason City, IA in 1963 where Marie lived until 2021. Desiring to escape the cold weather and be close to her eldest son, Marie moved to Georgetown TX in 2021. Marie was a stay-at-home Mom with four sons born from 1960 to 1965. Her need for adult conversations led to her involvement in Community Theatre. Through the years she built sets, sewed costumes, created puppets, acted in and directed plays. Marie's interest in learning and the arts included painting, wood carving, sculpting, puppet making, learning foreign languages, reading and creative writing to name a few. Due to her many interests, she involved herself in various groups and organizations. She was an active member of the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society in her passion to preserve genealogical and historical data as well as helping others compile family genealogies. Her passion took she and Carlos to Norway three times to do research. Her and Carlos were active members of Sons of Norway and Solorlag for many years. She was a member of the North Iowa Wood Carvers Guild, enjoying monthly carving sessions in Titonka. Many were blessed to have cherished gifts that Marie carved. Marie loved to educate and entertain through the use of puppets and was a member of Puppeteers of America. She traveled to many puppetry conferences and festivals. Marie contributed to the community for years leading chair exercise at the Senior Center which also kept her active. After Carlos died in 2010, she found Karaoke got her out of the house to spend time with others who enjoyed singing. Friday and Saturday nights she could be found on stage with a mic in her hand having fun. In Texas she continued going to Karaoke a couple times a week. Her unique sense of humor and way of finding humor in the hard things in life made spending time with her sure to bring some laughs and did so to the very end of her days. Family members surviving Marie include her four sons, Lance (Lynn) of Sun City, Tx, Grant (Betsy) of Tulsa, Ok, Glenn of Hamilton, OH, and Wayne (Beverly) of Mason City, IA. Seven grandchildren, Danielle, Michaela, Whitney, Claire, Nathan, Anthony, and Logan; and Six great grandchildren. Brothers Jim Crawford of Dayton Ohio and Mike Swisher of Troy Ohio. Lori Tracy of Rochester, MN who claimed Marie as Mom. Others include many friends in North Iowa. Neighbors who became friends in Texas include Karoline, Karen, and Sharon. A special thank you to Kendra Salmon and the loving care she gave to Mom both at her apartment and at her time at Safe Haven House. She was preceded in death by her mother Margaret Crawford, her husband Carlos and her grandmother Hazel Crawford. A private family Memorial Service will be held at graveside in Mason City.
Genealogy |
Membership news & appliCATION |
our annual stevne |
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Whether you are just beginning or have been searching for years visit our genealogy page for links, resources and tools to aid in your search or consider joining one of our ongoing research projects - we'd love your help!
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Our 2026 Stevne will be held at
DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, MN September 15-17 More information to follow. |
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A bygdelag is an association of people who came from the same district or area in Norway. In our case, an association of people who came from the same county, Hedmark fylke. Solorlag is one of many lags representing different areas of Norway all represented under membership in the Bygdelagenes Fellesraad.
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