Bryggen, Bergen — the old Hanseatic wharf where centuries of Norwegian trade and emigration stories begin.
Specializing in Scandinavian-American and Midwestern-American genealogy, history, social trends, and public education.
Engaging, Educational, and Entertaining.
Bryggen, Bergen — the old Hanseatic wharf where centuries of Norwegian trade and emigration stories begin.
Informative talks tailored for libraries, historical societies, and genealogical societies. Eleanor motivates researchers with engaging and entertaining storytelling.
One-on-one expert guidance helping families uncover hidden stories, resolve long-standing questions, and break through genealogical brick walls.
Hands-on sessions designed to enhance your research skills, from analyzing historical records to mastering online databases.
Beyond the dates and documents, genealogy is about connecting with the lived experiences of our ancestors. Whether it's tracing a lineage through a rural Midwestern farming community or tracking a Norwegian immigrant's journey across the Atlantic, the goal is to weave data into a compelling narrative.
The faces in these vintage photographs are a reminder of why this work matters. They are not just names on a census record; they are the foundation of our present.
Eleanor has delivered over 100+ presentations nationwide, featuring engagements at RootsTech, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and libraries across the US and Canada.
| Date | Event / Organization | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2026 | Heritage Quest Research Library (Zoom) | Getting the Scoop on Digitized Historical Newspapers |
| Sep 17-19, 2026 | We Are Cousins, TX (Zoom) | Getting the Scoop on Digitized Historical Newspapers |
| Sep 18-19, 2026 | North Carolina Genealogical Society (Zoom) | Getting the Scoop on Digitized Historical Newspapers |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Norwegian-American Gen. Assoc, MN (In-Person) | "This was a Viking Hub" |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Wisconsin Historical Society (Zoom) | Sifting through Cookbooks for Our Female Ancestors |
| Nov 17, 2026 | Rochester Genealogical Society, NY (Zoom) | Life-Changing Boat Ride: Immigration & Naturalization |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Washington County Library, MN (In-Person) | Genealogy 101 |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Bayport Public Library, MN (In-Person) | Genealogy 101 |
| Dec 3, 2026 | Ontario Genealogical Society, Canada (Zoom) | How Religion in Norway Affected Our Ancestors |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Stark Library, OH (Zoom) | Sifting through Cookbooks for Our Female Ancestors |
| Jan 28, 2027 | Dakota County Historical Society (Zoom) | Farming, Factories, and The Frontier |
| Dec 4, 2027 | Solano County Genealogical Society, CA (Zoom) | Our Black Sheep and Their Prison Records |
Eleanor presents on a wide variety of topics and welcomes the opportunity to develop custom presentations tailored to your organization's focus.
“The knowledge and helpful hints shared motivated many of us to stop procrastinating and finally tackle this less than desirable task.”
— Wisconsin Genealogy Group
“The insights she shared provided beginners with a blueprint for informed library research, while reminding the more advanced of our members to get back to the libraries!”
— California Genealogy Group
Eleanor Brinsko founded Carlon Genealogical Services in 2015. The Viking Genealogist is her brand for Scandinavian-American genealogy — presentations, private research, and workshops focused on Norwegian and other Nordic family history.
Eleanor is an international genealogy presenter and professional genealogist with a focus on Scandinavian-American and Midwestern-American family history. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) and has spoken to libraries, historical societies, and genealogical societies across the US and Canada.
Have a research question, want to book a presentation, or just want to say hello? Fill out the form below and Eleanor will get back to you.