This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Wl.2ADIB/8828.2.1.1 Message Board Post: If they left Norway in the 1850's then that pretty much eliminates searching the Norwegian emigration registers - they didn't really get concerned about the numbers of people leaving until the mid 1860's when it was ordered that persons emigrating would be recorded in registers at the various ports. BUT if they were settlers in Polk Co., Minnesota at a very very early year you might find mention of them in the county's history or any small towns where they lived. Even possibly a 'centennial' publication by the church can sometimes give valuable clues about the origins of early and/or founding members. Now that I've mentioned the church - have you looked for the records of a Polk Co. church where they were members? A Norwegian Lutheran minister/pastor often made careful note of the original baptism/confirmation location of new members... even if the spelling of a parish name is 'mangled' you could definitely use the clues! I'm not sure, but I think Helland might be a less than uncommon farm name in Norway. If I were you I'd consider the advice of this website author - he has recommended some database tricks to look for Norwegian farm names - http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~norway/articles.html I wish you the best of luck - and enjoy the hunt!