The Valdres Samband was the first Norwegian bygdelag, founded in 1899. Bygdelags (lag for short) are community organizations typically comprised of descendants of persons who emigrated from specific regions in Norway to North America. The term Samband in Norwegian means a union or a bond. Our bygdelag was organized to gather, preserve, and impart knowledge of the Valdres Valley and people of Valdres origin — to keep alive their common traditions, foster knowledge of ancestry, and cherish their ancestral home.
The Valdres Valley was formerly part of the Oppland fylke similar to a US county. In 2020 the Oppland and Hedmark fylkes were combined into the new Innlandsnet. Valdres is located between Oslo and Bergen.
The Samband sponsors a “stevne” or yearly gathering in June of each year. It allows members to come together to use the extensive collection of genealogical resources maintained by the Samband, attend classes and learn more about the Valdres Valley’s history, culture, the lives of the immigrants in America, and enjoy the camaraderie of new friends – and newly discovered cousins.
We bring together over 800 member families in North America whose ancestors immigrated from the Valdres Valley. We also have members who live in Norway as well as others interested in the Valdres history and culture. The Samband focuses special attention on providing expert genealogical assistance to members researching their Valdres roots.