The Nordic Genealogist

08/20/2026

Some places leave you speechless because they’re beautiful. Others because of the stories they hold. Skjåk was both. 🇳🇴

Skjåk is where my 2nd great-grandmother Annie grew up before emigrating to Wisconsin in 1882. More than 140 years later, I walked through the valley she once called home, visited churches connected to my family, and stood among mountains that hold both incredible beauty and unimaginable tragedy.

I already knew the stories of Annie’s family, but seeing these places in person made them feel completely different. We visited the area where her family lived at Skjåkødegård and stood in the valley where, in 1913, an avalanche claimed the lives of several of her relatives.

Their farm was surrounded by some of the most beautiful, otherworldly scenery I’ve ever seen. But those same mountains could also be incredibly dangerous. Standing there made it much easier to imagine what that avalanche must have been like.

That’s one of my favorite things about genealogy. Sometimes you can take the names, dates, and stories you’ve found in old records and actually walk through the places where they happened.

Is there a place connected to your family history that you’d love to visit someday?

If you’ve ever dreamed of doing the same, I offer personalized genealogy research and Nordic heritage trip planning designed around your family’s history. 🇳🇴 
🌐 www.thenordic-genealogist.com

08/16/2026

When visiting with The Nordic Genealogist on Wednesday, Disneyland (and the other Disney franchises) came up. The main point in that discussion was how many people it takes to create a magical experience.

All the expertise, all the hours, all the people, come together to make it the most "magical place on Earth."

Frankly, it makes me think about genealogy television shows and genealogy in general.

People tune in to Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are for the shiny experience of the reveal. What is not shown is the hundreds of people working hard, doing the research, making the phone calls, polishing the film footage for the shiny product.

What researchers like The Nordic Genealogist, The Formidable Genealogist, Anders Genealogical Services, and myself don't show is the amount of extra hours we put into the final product because we work solo.

We contact archives, pour over documents, make the pretty proposals, reports, reels, or the engaging presentations. Some people might be interested in seeing the extra hours we put in, but most just want the shiny package.

Genealogy is more than the final product (if we ever actually have a final product because are we ever actually finished??): it's about the journey. It's about the thought process about how we got to the conclusion that we did, what new things popped up along the way, the things we have debunked.

So when watching the genealogy shows, stay for the credits to learn who are the experts these shows are relying on for their final product.

When working with genealogists, ask to see the data and learn who we lean on to help make our product credible.

When walking through a Disney park, take the time to look behind the scenes to see who is helping make it a magical experience.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

08/13/2026

Have you experienced feeling at home in a place you’ve never lived? 🇳🇴❤️

Returning to the Sletten farm was one of the most meaningful parts of our Norway trip. We stayed on the land where generations of my ancestors once lived, shared breakfast and family history with Hans, and said goodbye to a place that had begun to feel very familiar.

Not every moment was joyful. When we returned to Folldal Church, we discovered my ancestors’ grave had been removed. Even knowing that graves are eventually reused in Norway, it was still heartbreaking.

We also spent one last afternoon with our friends in neighboring Dovre, toured the beautiful church where generations of our family worshiped, enjoyed coffee, shared stories, and said one of the hardest goodbyes of the trip.

Before leaving, I picked up a small rock from the Sletten farm to take a little piece of the land home with me. 

Music: Invisible Beauty - Aakash Gandhi

08/12/2026

It was so good to meet my online friend Carlon Genealogical Services! Be sure to follow her too!

We had a special visitor in Wisconsin this morning!

Shanna from The Nordic Genealogist made time to hang out with me and me kids for a little bit in Northern Wisconsin, quite a hike from California!

Genealogy can be a very independent field, which is why it's so important to build a community of like-minded people ❤️

Make sure to follow her account for her weekly videos and additional services!

08/06/2026

My first couple days in Minnesota have been a success!

* Finally met the lovely Mica L. Anders | Genealogist and The Formidable Genealogist (if you’re not following them already, you should!)

* Visited my 3rd great-grandfather’s grave. Johan/John emigrated from Sweden in 1880 and my husband and I were able to visit his hometown in Sweden last year! He had a bit of a troubled life which I will share about more later.

* Stopped by Minnesota Historical Society and found some naturalization records that had long been on my wish list.

* Met up with Big Ole…just not my ancestor by that name. 😜

More to come!

08/05/2026

A year ago today, I celebrated my 40th birthday in the mountains of Norway...and I don’t think I’ll ever top it. 🇳🇴🎂

We returned to the Sletten farm, where generations of my ancestors once lived, and this time we stayed on the land itself. I even brought along my little “Flat Ancestor” version of my 2nd great-grandfather, Jørgen, to symbolically bring him home after nearly 150 years.

Later that evening, our friends Ola and Brynjar welcomed us into the mountains for an unforgettable birthday celebration. Between the incredible scenery, learning about Norway’s old sæter traditions, singing the Norwegian birthday song, and being surrounded by such kind and generous people, it became one of the most memorable birthdays I’ve ever had.

Looking back a year later, I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who helped make this trip, and this milestone birthday, so special. 💜

What’s the most memorable place you’ve ever celebrated a birthday?

Music: Golden Hour - Telecasted.mp3

08/02/2026

07/23/2026

I thought I was traveling to walk in my ancestors footsteps. Instead, I found pieces of their lives that had survived for centuries.

Foldereid became the highlight of our Norway trip. We visited the Rokken (Rokkå) farms where my ancestors once lived, held a wooden bowl that belonged to my 4th great-grandfather over 200 years ago, listened to music that may have sounded much like what my ancestors heard in church, and celebrated my 40th birthday with relatives I’d recently met.

Genealogy has introduced me to incredible people, unforgettable places, and memories I’ll treasure forever.

Tusen Takk to Jan, Inger, and the entire Rokken family for your kindness and hospitality. ❤️🇳🇴

Have you ever met relatives from another country?

07/16/2026

After 6 years, we were finally back in Norway. 🇳🇴

Trondheim may have only been a brief stop on our journey, but it ended up giving me some of my favorite memories of the entire trip.

Standing near the port where my ancestor Jørgen likely began his journey to America in 1879, exploring a medieval cathedral, walking through historic homes, sharing an utepils with a local couple, and meeting a distant cousin for the first time all became highlights of the entire trip!

Moments like these remind me that genealogy isn’t just about finding your ancestors town of origin. It’s about experiencing the places they knew and connecting with the people who still call it home.

🎥 Episode 3 of my 2025 Nordic Heritage Trip is now live!

Music: Time Slips By - Go By Ocean _ Ryan McCaffrey

07/16/2026

My Canvas Rebel Interview is live! https://canvasrebel.com/meet-shanna-lund-2