Foreword
Some times I stop and wonder if life consists of coincidences or if everything is tied together with a common denominator, even if it does not look like it. Nearly 170 years ago the emigration from Norway to the promised land - North America started. 40 years later the emigration reached its first summit- at what time emigration from Selbu - a small village East of Trondheim - also commenced. The majority of Selbygger settled near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Little these poor cotters knew about their future, and they should become founders of the ethnical organisation which today holds the highest membership number in the entire USA

I still wonder how our ancestors here in Selbu had the knowledge and the motivation to start Sons of Norway. Their education was poor, and they had no experience of organisational life from Selbu. How did they manage to form a Charter and laws so sophisticated that Sons of Norway could prosper and grow to a strength of nearly 75 000 members today? Bersvend O. Draxten, Peder G. Balstad, Ole A. Russeth, James Peterson, John O. Stokke and Lewis J. Stokke will for ever have their names written in Selbu's history. Sons of Norway is also her Charter Members grateful for ever. This is the history about the 6 who came from Selbu, their life, and the birth and growth of Sons of Norway.

Today is January 16th 1995. Exactly 100 years has elapsed since eighteen men signed the Charter Protocol for Sons of Norway in 2029 Washington Avenue North Minneapolis. In honour of their memory, I hope this report pays the Charter Members the respect they deserve. A great thank to everybody who helped me in the collection of information during my work. Without your help I would not have been able to write this report.

Selbu, January 16th 1995
Oddstein Rygg