Fotograf
Old photos are an important source of information about the past. Maybe you can find some of your kin in one of these databases?
Av

As few of these pages have headings or explanations in English, here are a few Norwegian words to help you search their online collections.

Nationwide databases

  • Digitalt museum  (Digital Museum) – A large and comprehensive database, with photos from many of the country’s archives and museums.
  • Nasjonalbiblioteket  (The National Library of Norway) – An extensive database. Use the search field for the name or topic of your choice, then select “Bilder” (Pictures) from the menu on the right-hand side.
  • Samsøk bildebaser A search through photographic databases from participating libraries in several districts. 
  • Tidsmaskinen.no (The Time Machine) – A man by the name of Kurt Roar Vilhelmsen from Karmøy has collected several thousand photos from localities all over the country.
  • Norsk portrettarkiv (Norwegian Archive of Portraits) – A collection of portraits from the Directorate of Cultural Heritage.
  • Universitetsmuseenes fotoportal Unimus  The photo gallery of the university museums

NB. Many family history and historical societies have collections of old photos from their area on their websites. Unfortunately, very few have English versions of the headings or texts.

Agderfylkene (The counties of East- and West-Agder)

Akershus

Buskerud

Finnmark

Hedmark

Hordaland

Møre og Romsdal

Nordland

Oppland

Oslo

Rogaland

Sogn og Fjordane

Svalbard

Telemark

Troms

Trøndelag

Vestfold

Østfold

 

(Adapted from a list compiled by Cathrine Apelseth-Aanensen)