Free!

Never Miss a Blog Post: Subscribe to Icelandic Roots!

Are you eager to stay informed about all things Icelandic? Look no further than the Icelandic Roots newsletter! Our dedicated team of authors and guest writers brings you insightful and engaging content on various topics related to Icelandic culture, history, travel, famous people, language, genealogy, and upcoming events.

Subscribe Today!

Aug 31
4 min

Immigrating to America

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

Jun 29
6 min

Secrets Beneath the Earth in an Icelandic Cemetery

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.

May 25
12 min

Growing Up In Gimli

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...

Mar 27
2 min

Leaving for Iceland

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

Feb 29
6 min

Bibles in the Icelandic Immigration to North America: Part One

by Doreen M (Borgfjord) McFarlane At the time of the immigration, 1875–1914, nearly all Icelanders were baptised and confirmed in the...

Dec 9, 2023
3 min

Minneota - An Icelandic Community

Note: Find the link to the recording of this webinar at the bottom of this post. By Kathryn Rothman Judy Dickson and the Samtal attendees...

Nov 11, 2023
3 min

Do You Care About Your Icelandic Heritage?

Yes. Of course, you care about your Icelandic heritage. That is why you are reading this! Ten years ago, on November 12, 2013, Icelandic...

Oct 29, 2023
3 min

Why The Icelanders Left

By Sharron Arksey Why did thousands of Icelanders leave their homeland for North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s? The easy...

Oct 29, 2023
5 min

1887 Icelandic Emigrants

by Willie Engelson As Willie is researching an 1887 travel journal that tells of his great grandparents and their journey to Washington...

Oct 15, 2023
3 min

Three Western Icelandic Organizations Join Hands For an Online Event

IR Webinar hosted by INLNA and INLUS The Icelandic Roots Database is the subject of a joint Icelandic National League of North America...

Aug 6, 2023
7 min

The Icelandic Celebration of 1928 and 95 Years Later

In 1928, the Icelandic community of northeast North Dakota celebrated the Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the settlement. A book,...

Jul 23, 2023
1 min

Reminiscences of an Immigrant Girl

By Dagbjört Vopnfjord Editor's Note: This article gives a first-hand account of the early pioneer days in Manitoba, Canada. The author,...

Jul 8, 2023
8 min

Sarah's Story - Crazed by the Klondike

A new to Icelandic Roots member delved into the IR database and was surprised at the breadth of knowledge contained therein. What she...

Jul 8, 2023
9 min

Torfhildur Hólm

The story of Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir Hólm (2 February 1845- 14 November 1918) is the third in a three-series article of famous...

Jun 7, 2023
2 min

Registration for the Icelandic Roots Fitness Challenge 2023 is now Open!

Calling one and all! It's time! Registration is under way for this year's Fitness Challenge. Tighten your laces and let's get moving! Our...

May 27, 2023
2 min

IR Podcast: Emigration, Geology, and Hot Dogs

Join the Icelandic Roots podcast team and learn how these three unique elements are related to one Snorri individual. By Jack Plumley, a...

May 27, 2023
3 min

Icelandic Roots Fitness Challenge

Family, Fitness, Fun, Community: The IR Fitness Challenge opens for 2023! Icelandic Roots is pleased to announce that registration for...

May 27, 2023
2 min

The Icelandic Emigration Journey - From Turfhouses to Prairie Homesteads

Update: Find the associated book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/05YtoEMP Emigration from Iceland began much later than in other countries....

May 14, 2023
3 min

Many IR Teammates Gather in Banff

Twenty-three Icelandic Roots volunteers and five family members are in Banff celebrating the Icelandic National League's Convention...

May 13, 2023
5 min

Ragnar H. Ragnar “A school is people - not buildings.”

This is the second article in a series of three about prominent Icelanders who emigrated to the West and returned to Iceland. By Bryndís...