WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) -- A three-day convention here is helping people of Norwegian heritage learn about their past.
The Seven Lag Stevne includes seven clubs comprised of descendants of immigrants from seven areas of central Norway.
The club members primarily are from the Upper Midwest, but are spread throughout the country, said Earl Knutson of Willmar, Minn. The convention offers seminars, entertainment, tours and resources to do research.
A few dozen people were hard at work Thursday, tracking their past in a mock library in the student center at the North Dakota State College of Science.
Rolls of microfilm were available, along with databases, maps and books.
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Lenore Jesness of St. Paul and Joy Sundrum of Golden Valley, Minn., spent the morning joking and going through books.
"It gets kind of addictive," Jesness said of studying genealogy. "Once you find out a little bit, you want to know more."
The Seven Lag Stevne is like a family reunion, said David Bauman of Vancouver, Wash. Members enjoy the research and the socialization -- not to mention new Ole and Lena jokes that tend to come up during programs and coffee breaks, said his wife, Lois.
Audrey Stach of Fergus Falls, Minn., who was attending the convention with her cousin, Donna Nehk, said she wants to find out if she has any more relatives.
"My husband said, 'Don't you have enough?'" she said with a laugh.
