Norwegian Genealogical Society

The Norwegian Genealogical Society, known in Norwegian as Norsk Slektshistorisk Forening and commonly abbreviated NSF, is a specialist organization for genealogical, personal-history, biographical, and related historical research in Norway. It is based in Oslo and was established on 22 October 1926 as the first society devoted exclusively to genealogy in Norway. The organization brought together researchers interested in documenting family relationships, tracing ancestry, interpreting historical records, and publishing research on Norwegian people and families. The society emerged from an already established Norwegian genealogical publishing tradition. Stian Herlofsen Finne-Grønn and Christoffer Morgenstierne Munthe had published Norsk tidsskrift for genealogi, personalhistorie, biografi og litteraturhistorie from 1906. Their work helped create an institutional and scholarly foundation for the society founded two decades later. Sigurd Segelcke Meidell was also among the founders, and the organization’s early leadership included several prominent figures in Norwegian historical and cultural life. A central part of NSF’s activity has been the publication of Norsk slektshistorisk tidsskrift, which became the society’s official periodical in 1927. The journal provides a formal outlet for genealogical and historical studies, helping preserve research that might otherwise remain dispersed among private notes, local records, or family archives. The society also publishes Genealogen, an internal magazine intended to support communication with members and the wider genealogical community. In addition to publishing, the society operates a genealogical library. This library supports research by bringing together specialized literature and reference material relevant to Norwegian family history. Its work complements archives, museums, libraries, and digital record services by providing a community-oriented setting in which researchers can consult material, compare findings, and develop documented family histories. NSF’s identity is primarily scholarly and nonprofit rather than commercial. Its principal offerings are publications, research resources, and an institutional forum for people working on Norwegian genealogy. The society serves both experienced researchers and people beginning family-history investigations, although the available reference material does not specify membership figures, staffing levels, or a detailed program of public services. Its activities are centered on Norway, with potential relevance to descendants and researchers abroad because Norwegian migration and family networks extend internationally. The organization has maintained a continuous leadership history since its foundation, with presidents or leaders including Stian Herlofsen Finne-Grønn, Halvdan Koht, Sigurd Segelcke Meidell, Theodor Bull, Wilhelm Munthe, Otto Sverdrup Engelschiøn, Cornelius Severin Scheel Schilbred, Per Seland, Niels Christian Hjorth, Tore Stenberg Falch, Lars Løberg, and Håvard Blom. The available reference identifies Håvard Blom as the leader from 2007 onward. No reliable information in the supplied material establishes a current membership count, annual budget, legal corporate structure, commercial revenue, or ownership relationship with another organization.

The Norwegian Genealogical Society was founded in Oslo on 22 October 1926. It was established as the first Norwegian organization devoted exclusively to genealogical research, formalizing an area of study that had already developed through historical writing, family records, and specialist periodicals. Among its founders were Stian Herlofsen Finne-Grønn, Christoffer Morgenstierne Munthe, and Sigurd Segelcke Meidell. The society’s creation followed earlier publishing work by Finne-Grønn and Munthe. From 1906, they had issued Norsk tidsskrift for genealogi, personalhistorie, biografi og litteraturhistorie, a periodical covering genealogy, personal history, biography, and literary history. This publication tradition gave Norwegian genealogical research an established scholarly platform before the society itself was formed. In 1927, the organization launched Norsk slektshistorisk tidsskrift as its official periodical. The journal became an important vehicle for presenting documented genealogical studies and related historical research. The society also maintains Genealogen, an internal magazine that supports communication among members and reflects the organization’s continuing community function. Alongside publishing, the society runs a genealogical library. The library is part of NSF’s research infrastructure and provides access to specialized material for investigating Norwegian families, ancestry, biographies, and historical relationships. Together, the periodicals and library represent the society’s principal institutional contributions: preserving research, disseminating findings, and supporting researchers. The organization has been led by a succession of figures from Norwegian historical, scholarly, and cultural circles. Stian Herlofsen Finne-Grønn led from 1926 to 1929, followed by Halvdan Koht from 1929 to 1940. Sigurd Segelcke Meidell served from 1940 to 1943, Theodor Bull from 1943 to 1952, and Wilhelm Munthe from 1952 to 1957. Otto Sverdrup Engelschiøn led from 1957 to 1968, followed by Cornelius Severin Scheel Schilbred from 1968 to 1980 and Per Seland from 1980 to 1991. Niels Christian Hjorth served from 1991 to 1995, Tore Stenberg Falch from 1995 to 1999, and Lars Løberg from 1999 to 2007. Håvard Blom is identified as the leader from 2007 onward. The supplied sources do not document a change in the society’s core mission. Its established role remains that of a Norwegian genealogical research association with a publication program, a member magazine, and a specialist library. Details such as membership totals, financial performance, legal registration, digitization projects, and current organizational structure require additional verification from the society’s official records.

• 1927

  Official genealogical journal launched

  [1]Norwegian Genealogical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Norsk slektshistorisk tidsskrift was introduced as the society’s official periodical.

• 1926

  Society founded in Oslo

  [1]Norwegian Genealogical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Norwegian Genealogical Society was founded on 22 October as Norway’s first organization exclusively focused on genealogical research.

• 1906

  Early genealogical publishing begins

  [1]Norwegian Genealogical Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Stian Herlofsen Finne-Grønn and Christoffer Morgenstierne Munthe began publishing a periodical devoted to genealogy, personal history, biography, and literary history, establishing an important precursor to the later society.

A specialist Norwegian research society combining scholarly publication, genealogical documentation, member communication, and library-based research support.

• Genealogical journal · 1927

  Norsk slektshistorisk tidsskrift

  The society’s official periodical, launched in 1927. It provides a formal publication channel for Norwegian genealogical, biographical, personal-history, and related historical research.

• Member magazine

  Genealogen

  An internal magazine associated with the society. It serves the member community and supports communication around genealogical interests and society activities.

• Research resource

  Genealogical library

  A specialist library operated by the society to support research into Norwegian families, ancestry, personal history, biography, and related historical subjects.

1. 1Norwegian Genealogical Societyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Norwegian Genealogical Society official websitegenealogi.no