UND to host second Norwegian heritage conference The Chester Fritz Library in conjunction with the UND Nordic Initiative and the Greater Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau will hold a “Norwegian Heritage and Family History” conference Oct. 8-9, at the Ramada Inn in Grand Forks. The two-day conference brings together experts from Norway and the United States to discuss resources and their experiences in researching Norwegian family history, ancestry and immigration to the U.S. Conference attendees will gain knowledge of genealogy through: * Discovering emigration resources and genealogical organizations found in Norway. * Examining the experiences of genealogists researching Norwegian ancestry. * Exploring how technology has changed the search for ancestors. * Networking with others interested in Norwegian heritage and ancestry. * Reviewing the efforts of U.S. libraries and associations to collect immigration and genealogical resources. Featured speakers include: * Knut Djupedal, director of the Norwegian Emigrant Museum in Hamar, Norway, which is the only museum devoted solely to the history of Norwegians who emigrated overseas and returned to Norway. Djupedal will discuss the records and resources collected in Norway relating to emigration to the United States. * Liv Marit Haakenstad, an author, researcher, and speaker also from Hamar, Norway. Haakenstad will present her most recent research from her upcoming book titled “Emigration from Norway 1825-1930” and will review tips for conducting Norwegian genealogy. She will also discuss unique resources for finding elusive Norwegian ancestors. * Jean Marthaler, a genealogist and family historian from St. Joseph, Minn. She will review various Norwegian and American resources that can be used in effective research, and will describe a wide variety of resources available from the Internet, written sources, and human accounts. * Jeffrey M. Svare, collection management specialist for the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU). His presentation will describe GSU’s records preservation efforts in Scandinavia, focusing on the types of records collected and strategies for their use. Jeffrey will also discuss the current and future Norwegian projects that GSU plans to complete. Members of Norwegian-American associations, historians, librarians, archivists, genealogists and anyone interested in Norwegian heritage are encouraged to attend the conference. The fee is $80 for registrations received by Sept. 28, and $105 for registrations postmarked after this date. The fee includes admittance to sessions, materials, opening luncheon on Oct. 8. For more information or to register, visit www.conted.und.edu/norwegianconference or contact UND Continuing Education at 866-579-2663. -- Robyn von Ruden, Conference Coordinator, Division of Continuing Education, robynvonruden@mail.und.nodak.edu, 701-777-4274