Norwegian Statehood Pioneer Project
Celebrating Minnesota's Sesquicentennial

You do not have to live in Minnesota to apply for a Pioneer Plaque.

A primary application is required for each pioneer.

Pioneer Name: This is the pioneer’s name or the names of a pioneer couple as you want it to appear on your Pioneer Plaque.

Additional Names Used:  Many Norwegian immigrants used their patronymics, farm names, and variations before settling on the surname that is now associated with the family.  Pioneers will be listed in alphabetical order in the NSP Heritage Book, and a cross reference will be included for each name variation supplied.

Emigration information:  Please include this information if known

Place of Residence in 1858/Type of Proof: The city, township, and/or county where the pioneer lived in 1858.   Applicants must supply a photocopy of documentation that supports Minnesota residence on May 11, 1858.  NSP will accept the following:

• Land Patent filed on or before May 11, 1858

• 1857 Territorial Census   (available on Ancestry.com*)

• Marriage or Birth Record dated on or before May 11, 1858

• Excerpt from a county history written before 1920

• News article from this time period (photocopy of page should include both the article and date of publication)

• US Census records that show Minnesota as the place of birth for children born during or before 1858.  US Census records can also verify Norwegian ancestry

• Naturalization filing in Minnesota prior to 1858

• Church records - a photocopy of the record or dated statement signed by church's pastor, secretary or other official verifying the content of the original record.

• Emigrants leaving Norway usually registered their departure with the church there.  Sometimes they listed their destination as "America" but sometimes they were specific in listing their destination. If no other records exist, this declaration can be used as proof. Check the Digitalarkivet databases and scanned church books to see if this "udflytedde" (leaving the parish) information is available.

• Published obituary of the pioneer - name of publication, date of publication and page number must be included

• Letters, diary entries, or family bible pages and other sources not listed here will be considered

• Date of residence can be established by the destination on udflyttede/Norwegian church records (if confirmed by documents with a later date)

A recent family story or history, even if it has been published, is not acceptable proof without its supporting documentation.  The organization accepting the application has the discretion to determine whether documentation submitted provides valid proof of residence and descent.

Line of Descent: Proof of descent for each generation from the pioneer to the applicant can include photocopies of birth or death certificates, census records, church records, printed obituaries, and/or excerpts from a published history of a location or family. A Hadeland Lag skjema can be used as proof of descent. The proof must include both the name of the child and the parent(s).

Biography/Photo of Pioneer: The Norwegian Statehood Pioneer project will publish a book in the first quarter of 2009 that includes all of the biographies. 

Biographies should not exceed 500 words** and should encompass the entire life story of the pioneer.  They may include information about the pioneer’s birth and emigration from Norway, residence(s) in America, marriage, names of children, place of death and burial, community or church involvement, etc.   Longer family stories focused only on the 1850's should be submitted separately. 

One photo may be included with the biography. A portrait of the pioneer/pioneer couple, photos of home, farm, business or family are acceptable.  Copies of photos can be attached to the application. Submitted photos will not be returned, so please do not send originals.  A digital image (any size or type) can be sent to the email address on the application.  The name of the applicant and pioneer should be included in the email.  Unmarried Pioneers: If you are a descendant of a sibling of an unmarried pioneer, you may apply for a plaque for that individual  Provide proof of descent from the sibling to the applicant, proof of the sibling relationship, and an obituary or other form of proof that shows the pioneer did not have children.

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATIONS:  You may wish to apply for pioneer plaques for the same pioneer from multiple family members.  The primary application must be completed in its entirety.  Supplemental applications submitted at the same time require completion of only the applicant and line of descent sections.  When submitted together, the fee for second and any additional applications is $25.00 for members and non-members alike.  Primary application fees are not refundable.  If a primary application is rejected, payment for any associated supplemental applications will be returned to the applicant.

All plaques will be mailed via USPS on the schedule listed below. 

Applications received and approved by	will be mailed by the end of
December 31	February

At this time we do not anticipate continuing the program beyond December of 2008.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Direct any additional questions to apply@mn-nspp.org    

 

* Ancestry.com and other on-line services that require payment are often available at your local public library at no charge. Some libraries also offer "log on from home" access for their library card holders.

 

** Acceptable length of biography has been expanded from 250 words to 500 words.  We all have lots to say about our ancestors!