Historically, the land of Dønna was divided up into named farms. These farms were used in census and tax records and are useful for genalogical research.
Map of farms Note: Coordinates are approximate. The map has been divided into parts consistent with the enumeration districts () in the 1920 census of Norway. As this census was taken in 1920, and the boundaries of the municipality changed in 1962, this map is
not consistent with modern enumeration districts. This map will include one farm name per farm number; other farm names or subdivision numbers may exist.
Farm names and numbers Following are the farms in Dønna municipality, as they are listed in O. Rygh's series "
Norske Gaardnavne" ("Norwegian Farm Names"), the Nordland volume of which was published in 1905. :
See also: Digital version of Norske Gaardnavne - Nordland The farm numbers are used in some census records, and numbers that are near each other indicate that those farms are geographically proximate. Handwritten Norwegian sources, particularly those prior to 1800, may use variants on these names. For recorded variants before 1723, see the digital version of O. Rygh. Farm names were often used as part of
Norwegian names, in addition to the person's given name and
patronymic or inherited surname. Some families retained the farm name, or toponymic, as a surname when they emigrated, so in those cases tracing a surname may tell you specifically where in Norway the family was from. This tradition began to change in the mid to late 19th century, and inherited surnames were codified into law in 1923. If you can't find an entry when you are searching for a word that starts with AE, Ae, O, A or Aa, it may have been transcribed from one of those letters not used in English. Try looking for it under the Norwegian letter; Æ, Ø, and Å appear at the end of the
Norwegian alphabet. ==Notable people==