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The original was posted on /r/norway by /u/lurker66666666666 on 2023-08-20 20:07:55+00:00.

Just as the title says.

I’m second generation Scandinavian-American, and my grandmother’s family owned farmland and a homestead outside of the Bergen area. As someone who has been living here in the US my whole life without being able to have the access to deeper connections of my familial roots in Norway and Sweden outside of immediate family here in America, visiting this place where my family lived for hundreds of years is deeply important to me. Prior to my family immigrating to the US, they experienced deep fine hardship and had to sell the homestead. It is now owned by another family, and has been for nearly 70 years.

I want to be able to visit this location and I know that many parts of Norway and Sweden have laws that allow you to explore any natural area that isn’t privately owned. The last thing I want to do is just walk around anyone’s property without having permission from the owners.

My question is, what would be the best option here? When my family owned this location is was MASSIVE. Hundreds of square kilometers. Would it best for me to try and find a means of contacting the current owners directly prior to being in the area, or to try and contact them directly in person first? What would be the best manners here and the most respectful? I want to make certain I’m not going against Norwegian cultural and social rules or breaking any law.

Thanks.