Central ND News

Johan Stenslie, a professional genealogist originally from Mandan, North Dakota and now living in Bergen, Norway, will speak at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library on Wednesday, August 13. The event will take place at 6:30pm in Meeting Room A of the library.

Stenslie's presentation is part of Crossings 200, an event series commemorating the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian immigration to North America. He will share stories about Norwegian immigrant families and offer live music performances related to the Norwegian-American experience. Attendees can also expect research tips for tracing family history. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The event is co-sponsored by the Sons of Norway Sverdrup Lodge and the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library. It is free and open to people of all ages.

According to organizers, “The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian immigration to North America. Crossings 200 commemorates two centuries of organized Norwegian migration to North America, celebrating the strong ties between Norway, the United States, and Canada. It is a time to reflect on what it means to take significant risks and exchange one home for another, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the movement of people that continues worldwide today.”

Community members are invited regardless of their heritage background.

More information about this event can be found on the library’s media kit page at http://bismarcklibrary.org/2221/For-the-Media or through their social media page at https://facebook.com/bismarcklibrary/.