information from the National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum's Virtual Nordic Genealogy Conference opens in September. The first genealogy conference ever offered by the Museum, it provides resources about family history and lineage to a wide global audience with internationally-renowned experts. Participants can choose from variety of live broadcasts and pre-recorded courses designed to be taken at their own pace. Registration is now open at nordicmuseum.org/genealogyconference.
“Almost from the beginning, the Museum has provided resources to those interested in Nordic genealogy,” said Executive Director and CEO Eric Nelson.
When the Museum moved into its new space in 2018, and received the “National” designation in 2019, the Museum’s genealogy program was expanded, too. The Museum has dedicated space for recording oral histories, one-on-one consultations with a genealogist (a popular service that is almost always sold out months in advance), and research space for serious scholarship.
“With our particular emphasis in the collection concerning Nordic immigration, we are excited to expand our offerings and create this genealogy conference,” said Leslie Anne Anderson, Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs. “While we originally planned this to be an in person, on site conference at the Museum, the necessary change to a virtual conference allowed us to bring in even more experts and offer a wider variety of programming.”
Speakers will include Genealogist and Research Specialist Dr. Fritz Juengling of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City; Dr. Janice Lovelace, a researcher specializing in ethnic minority genealogy; Craig Gowens, a specialist in genetic testing and heritage research; Professor Gísli Sigurðsson of The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies; Poul Olsen of the Danish National Archives; Professor and Curator Sven Haakanson of the University of Washington; and Professor Jason Lavery of Oklahoma State University.
The 2020 virtual conference created by the Museum can be accessed from anywhere in the world beginning September 26. Professional genealogists and subject matter experts from North America and the Nordic countries will share insights about family history research ranging from the latest DNA science to combing church records. Participants will learn more about their families and heritage through a wide range of resources including folk literature, immigration records, and genetic testing. Designed to be useful for beginners and bring new insights to experts, sessions range from exploring Nordic history and culture to understanding blended heritage and transnational identities.
More About the National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum located in Seattle, Washington, is the only museum in the United States that showcases the impact and influence of Nordic values and innovation in contemporary society and tells the story of 12,000 years of Nordic history and culture, across all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the semi-autonomous regions of Sápmi, Greenland, Åland, and the Faroe Islands. The Museum’s mission is to share Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences, and serving as a community gathering place. The Museum presents annually a wide range of vibrant programs including contemporary and historical exhibitions, concerts, lectures, films, culinary arts, traditional folk culture classes, and a variety of special events throughout the year.
Although the National Nordic Museum’s building has been closed to the public since March 13, 2020, in compliance with Washington State’s health protocols surrounding COVID-19, the Museum has spent the last four months providing a variety of well-attended virtual events including the Virtual Nordic Innovation Summit, which debuted on May 14, 2020, and the Nordic Sól summer celebration that opened July 24, 2020. For more information including current programming, see nordicmuseum.org.
