They should be used in conjunction with each other. However, some of the repositories do have microfilm copies or written abstracts of records in other archives. These books provide information about real estate conveyances, mortgages and other encumbrances on property, agreements and contracts, etc. A great deal of biographical material is often included. They rarely go farther back than to about 1720.
Earlier deeds are in the custody of the regional archives.
The oldest ones, from the Middle Ages, have been printed. These lists may often prove to be the best starting point for your inquiries. The Stavanger emigrant lists were destroyed by fire. Since many emigrants moved to a town some time before they left Norway, their domicile may be listed as, for example, Christiania, Bergen, or Stavanger even though they were not actually born there. If you want to examine the lists of the larger ports, such as Oslo, you will need to know rather precisely the date of emigration.