Members and non-members alike are encouraged to apply for recognition for their Norwegian ancestors who lived in Minnesota at the time of statehood in 1858.

Requirements:

• Norwegian Statehood Pioneers must be Norwegian immigrants or descendants of Norwegian immigrants and have been residents of Minnesota when it became a state in 1858.  Applicants must be direct descendants of the pioneer, but do not have to reside in Minnesota.

• Only one pioneer or pioneer couple per application.

• Proof of Residence for the pioneer must be submitted with the application. An individual who arrived in Minnesota after 1858 or left Minnesota before 1858 is not eligible for recognition.  Documents that support the premise that the individual lived in Minnesota on May 11, 1858 include:

-The 1857 Minnesota Territorial Census (available on Ancestry.com)

-Excerpts from 19th/early 20th century County History books

-Copies of church records (a statement from current clergy about the content of old records is sufficient)

-Land patents

-News articles or family bibles from that time period

-Census records that show children born in Minnesota in 1858, or both before and after 1858, are acceptable.

 

The text of a late 20th/early 21st century family history is not acceptable.

 

• Proof of Descent for each generation from the pioneer to the applicant is also required.  Copies of census records, birth/death records, church records,  published obituaries and funeral cards are examples of acceptable documentation.

• Members in good standing of the Hadeland Lag submit $25 with each application.  Non-members submit $35 with each application.  Supplemental applications for the same pioneer submitted in the same envelope (parents submitting applications for themselves and each of their children, for example) $25 each for members and non-members.

• Plaques will be shipped via USPS on the following schedule:  Applications received and approved by November 30 will be shipped no later than December 20th.  Applications received by December 31st will be shipped no later than February. 

We encourage you to include a biography with your application.  One photo of the pioneer, family, homestead or business can also be included with the submission.  Photos will not be returned.  The biography and photo will be included in the Heritage book to be published in February, 2009.

You do not need to purchase a plaque for your ancestor's biography and photo to appear in our Heritage book.  Simply write "Book Only" at the top of your application.  Proof of the ancestor's residence in Minnesota when it became a state is required, but line of descent proofs can be omitted.  "Book Only" applications are accepted at no charge.