Maps showing boundaries for parishes, counties (amt) and towns in the 1801 census, as well as the boundaries for municipalities in 1979.

It is often useful  to have access to historical maps for those using old records. As a first helping aid, we have scanned some maps which have proved to be very useful in their printed versions. The maps which are available here, in this web edition, show the boundaries for parishes, counties and towns as they were at the time of the 1801 census. In addition they include the county (fylke) and municipality boundaries (kommune) from 1979. The maps  have been taken from Norways Official Statistics B 134: 1801 Census, revised edition, Oslo 1980 (ISBN 82-537-1149-2). All the maps are drawn by Jørgen H. Marthinsen, National Archives.

It is the 1801 census which has been the most important source for the boundaries and names on the maps. In some cases the the census materials have been lost, and the names have been culled from other contemporary sources.

Some of the boundaries had not been ratified in 1801. This is particularily the case for mountain areas, and the uninhabited parts of the country.  In these cases the boundaries shown are those that have been ratified since then.

In some cases only the official number for the municipality or rural district council area is shown here. By following the link [kommunenummer og notar] – literally council number and notes- at the top of the map page,  you will find pages with a list of  council areas and explanations for the maps. 

Bente Kopperdal has made this web-edition. Cecilie Boge has scanned all the material.