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By Phyllis Smith Icelandic Roots newsletter theme for 2026 is the emigration and settling of American settlements, including those that went to Brazil in the early years. Most people with ancestors who left Iceland have connections with various communities in the USA and Canada. However, a tiny group of Icelanders headed to Brazil in 1863, followed by another small group in 1873. A Reddit thread poster asked for information in the Brazil subreddit regarding the Icelanders in

Book review of The Icelandic Emigration Journey

By Shaune Jonasson Some ancestral stories of the crossings were captured in family diaries, a real treasure to possess today. Despite any trepidation to leave their homes and families, most believed in a better life ahead. They were resolute. We are here as a testament to their hope.   When our Icelandic ancestors left their homeland bound for North America, many unknowns lay ahead of them. The reasons for emigrating are many and we’ve heard or read the accounts of life in Ic

By Phyllis Smith   Many of us are immigrants—not personally—but through our ancestors. It is because they left Iceland that we’re here today. By telling their stories, we uncover themes of resilience, determination, strength, and even suffering. Unless we knew our immigrant ancestors personally, we must trace their journeys through records and research. Our family lore can add colour and context, but it may not be enough to answer every question.   I never knew my Icelandic i

by Doreen Borgford McFarlane This is an excerpt from a yet unpublished book Leirarskotta  by Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane. Author's Note: This book that I wrote tells the story of an Icelandic girl ghost who, according to Icelandic records, lived and followed the Borgfjord family for no less than eight generations. I learned about her quite accidentally around 2015 by reading a lecture on "Icelandic Immigrant Ghosts" that was delivered at the University of Victoria, B.C. in 200

Two busloads of IR volunteers and members have just returned from Iceland as we traveled for twelve unforgettable days of heritage,...

by Anne Brydon Department of Anthropology McGill University, Montreal, Quebec   ** Reprinted from Icelandic Canadian v.48 n.2 Winter...

by Anne Brydon Department of Anthropology McGill University, Montreal, Quebec   ** Reprinted from Icelandic Canadian v.48 n.2 Winter...

by Anne Brydon Department of Anthropology McGill University, Montreal, Quebec   ** Reprinted from Icelandic Canadian v.48 n.2 Winter...

Here are ten suggestions on how to do genealogical research. Even experienced genealogists might find these tips worthwhile. Plus, we've...

by Greg McNeill and Shaune Jonasson   It’s summer! That means sun and fun with fairs, parades and festivals. This year, the Viking spirit...

Join Us for the Icelandic Roots mini-conference, Friday Forum, on August 1, 2025 with a fabulous lineup of speakers at the Mountain Community Center.

Bill tells of his ancestral arrival to New Iceland and his memories.

INLNA Convention in 2025 in Gimli - recap of events.

The roots of Vinarterta; the cake and the company.

Celebrating the Icelandic settlement in Minneota 150 years earlier.

The Icelandic Roots Writers Group used an exercise to create a dialogue between two people planning to emigrate. By Doreen Borgfjord...

We’ve been working on a mystery, and for now … it remains unsolved. Where is the exact burial location? The secrets are beneath the earth.

A talk at Icelandic Roots’ Samtal Hour on March 11, 2024 By W.D. Valgardson Victoria, BC I was told that many people in this group did...

The Icelandic Roots Writers Group used an exercise to create a dialogue between two people planning to emigrate. By Gay Strandemo Sogne...