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Introduction

Tracing your ancestors from Norway, getting to know the old country or even planning a visit requires a map. Many maps are available on the market ranging from a NKR 450 ($65) CDROM "Opplev Norge" just published by Statens Kartverk: Norway http://www.statkart.no/info/pressem/opplevnorge.html (order from you bookstore) to detailed maps obtainable from Sons of Norway etc. but …

Now Norway-Listers have their own online map-service:

QUICK SOLUTIONS

How do I find a Fylke?
Click on overview and scroll northwards (up) to see more.

How do I find a Kommune?

What Churchbook do I ask for at the LDS?
Let's say you've visited http://www.dokpro.uio.no/rygh_ng/rygh_form.html searching for a farm named "Askvik" and found "Askvik in Hov parish in Søndre Land municipality in Kristians amt". What is today's name for Kristians Amt? (See table below!) Oppland, right? Click the Kirkesogn (Parish) list and scroll down the alphabetical list, or use your browser's searchfunction. You won't find Hov parish, but you will find Søndre Land and the Fylke is Oppland. Searching the link below for Riksarkivet will give you the explanation for the different parish names, but for now, let's just find this place.

Select the Fylke (County) map for Oppland. After a couple of minutes you'll have found Søndre Land (underlined name indicates this is the kommunename) ... it's in the lower right corner. You can also see the church at Hov. Many times the parish name is equal to the church's name marked on the map.

I can't find the name I'm looking for!
If you are looking for a farm name, you'll need a much more detailed map. This Fylke-map will show most places populated by 200 or more and we hope it will help you decide for which area you want to buy more detailed maps. I suggest you search both the Kommune and the Kirkesogn namelists bearing in mind that different, twisted or faulty spelling may play tricks with you. Also, please note that the maps have many more names that included in out two lists. If everything else fails, take another look :-))

I can't find this parish or township!
Our list uses modern spelling. This may have changed since your ancestors left Norway. (Example: in 1820 what is now Fjaler Kommune was called Ytre Holmedal, so it's not always just a simple question of spelling). If in doubt, ask around for the modern spelling of the place you want. Looking for parish names, you should also know that these often have changed when parishes have been joined or split. For a complete list of Churchbooks go to http://www.riksarkivet.no/Mikrofilm/Katalogermikrofilmkort.html (Norwegian text only), select your fylke and find out which Churchbooks exist and what area and period they cover.

I can't find this fylke!
Our list show fylke names with modern spelling and according to present day administrative areas. Before 1918 Fylke was called 'Amt' according to the Danish system introduced in Norway in 1662.

Can I enlarge the map (zoom in/out)?
This depends on which browser you use: Opera has a zoom function. But you can also copy the map to your harddisk and study the map offline with any program that handles JPG (ImageIn, Imaging, Adobe PhotoShop etc.)

Go to the Norwegian County Maps:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~norway/NorMap1.html

Have a nice day!
Michael G Landmark

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