**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!

“Everybody likes looking at old photographs, and some people take it as a challenge to try to determine who those people are.” Blair Swanson, Icelandic Roots volunteer speaking to CTV News Over the summer, Icelandic Roots volunteer Blair Swanson appeared on CTV News in Winnipeg and beyond.1 Photo Credit: CTV News1 Blair runs the Unknown Photos Project, which uncovers details about the lives of the people depicted in pictures sent in by the Icelandic community. Each month

by Shaune Jonasson Settling the untamed land of the Canadian prairie, originally known as Assiniboia in the North-West Territories (NWT) before Saskatchewan was a province in 1905, was fulfilled by many ethnicities, including our Icelandic ancestors. Filing for homesteads, then carving out a living in this vast open land was no small feat. Viking courage harmonized with a pioneering spirit; the Icelandic settlers became an important element of Saskatchewan’s tapestry. They le

A collection of stories by: Nancy Asmundson Linda Breidfjord Judy Dickson Lois Janusson Yasinko The month of September profiles the Icelandic settlements in Saskatchewan and its history. Many of us share family roots from here, including four of our Icelandic Roots members. Each of them has taken a different approach; some are very personal, some extol their ancestor’s accomplishments, while others define the genealogy. Although the stories are unique, there are similarities

by Sharron Arksey Lögberg-Heimskringla began as print copy in 1886 using the Icelandic language only. Despite enduring changes and challenges, its community continues to be informed and entertained. Congratulations and thank you to all for staying the course of "connecting past and present." (Quote taken from the front page banner of the Lögberg-Heimskringla website.) On September 19, 2026, friends and supporters of Lögberg-Heimskringla (L-H) will gather in Winnipeg to celebr

Becky Byerly-Adams and Rob Olason The Deuce of August 2026 festivities in Mountain, North Dakota were host to a unique experience. The Rootshús groundbreaking ceremony took place and was honoured with a tribute of a song written for the occasion. The Groundbreakding for Rootshús by Becky Byerly-Adams August 1 was a beautiful, sunny day; perfect weather for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Icelandic Rootshús in Mountain, North Dakota. The Rootshús represents the culminati

By Sharron Arksey Icelandic settlements spread outside beyond the area of New Iceland over the course of time. Many continued north and west. This article looks at two other areas of Manitoba. Argyle, where the early settlers felt they had arrived in Paradise and yet some of them left, and Swan River. Sharron explores the early days for the settlers, their communities and how they have evolved. ARGYLE There is a story about an Icelandic immigrant who, in 1880, travelled from

By Brian Borgford Historical Fiction with an Emotional Connection: Comparisons and Contrasts Be Still the Water by Karen Emilson has something for everyone. It takes you through a full range of emotions over the first three quarters of the twentieth century: joy, sadness, grief, anger, love, hope, despair, acceptance, atonement, fear, trust, and acceptance. No matter who you are or what your background is, it would be hard not to connect with the wide range of characters

by Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane Each summer for many years, Icelandic festivals take place in various communities in North America. Two of the main festivals, in Mountain and Gimli, occur on the long weekend in August. Celebrations with songs, dancing, food and parades, as well as numerous other events are shared. Some festival-goers attend both locations. This year Doreen, accompanied by her husband Eigil, did just that. And, what a time they had... You may call yourself an I

By Sharron Arksey Photo Credit: Winnipeg Free Press1 If you are a Manitoban of Icelandic descent, you likely recognize the name Haraldur Bessason (I155214). As the Chair of the Icelandic Department at the University of Manitoba for several decades and a former editor of Lögberg-Heimskringla, he was a well-known figure in western Icelandic circles. But I did not know that Bessason was born in Iceland, nor that his remains are buried there. I was surprised last year to see his

By Sharron Arksey Photo Credit: The author. Manitoba’s Provincial Trunk Highway 50 begins where it meets the Yellowhead Highway (Provincial Trunk Highway Number16) in the south-central portion of the province. The paved highway stretches north for approximately 50 miles before it makes a turn to the west, ending at McCreary, MB. Its north-south route parallels the western shore of Lake Manitoba. The highway is on a gravel ridge left by the receding of Glacial Lake Agassiz tho

by Patty Johnson Patty Johnson and Becky Byerly-Adams were guests on Samtal Hour, a member's only conversation hour normally held bi-weekly that shares all things Icelandic. On Monday, 14 July, they spoke about their roots in the Lundar and Interlake Region east of Lake Manitoba. This article is a transcript from Patty who shared her fond memories and heartfelt reflections of growing up in Lundar. Where is Lundar? Originally the Swan Lake Settlement founded in 1887, Lundar is

By Alfreda Duffy and Patty Johnson Icelandic Roots is exploring the Interlake district along Lake Manitoba during August as part of its North American settlement theme. The lakes and waterways adjacent to fields for raising livestock and farming attracted the Icelandic settlers. Here we look at two of those locations, Lundar and Oak Point. Oak Point, a tiny hamlet, is just over an hour's drive north of Winnipeg on Highway #6. Still heading north for an additional 15–20 minu

by Sunna Olafson Furstenau Continuing the North America Icelandic settlement theme, Sunna addresses the many areas of North Dakota our ancestors called home, even temporarily. Many towns and villages, although mostly abandoned or forgotten, uphold an enduring legacy binding their past to our present. When people think of Icelandic settlements in North Dakota, they usually think of Mountain and Gardar first. Perhaps Akra and Cavalier come to mind as well. But the Icelandic sto

By Sunna Olafson Furstenau Through the month of July, we've focused on the North Dakota settlement areas of our ancestors. Their stories come to life more readily when one has an opportunity to travel and see the sites for ourselves. Here are some suggestions for northeast North Dakota: Click on the image to enlarge details. The content of the above inserted tour details and driving map are duplicated below: Icelanders who settled in the area known as Fjalla mostly came fro

By Jason Doctor Our Interesting Icelander for July, Páll Þórlaksson, is one of the most familiar names heard when learning about the early settlement of Icelandic emigrants in North America. Jason Doctor presents the profile of Páll Þórlaksson as we explore the North Dakota settlement. Additionally, if you happen to be in Mountain, ND for August the Deuce on Friday, 31 July, 2026, Jason will also be presenting at the Friday Forum held in Mountain Community Center. Be sure to

By Blair Swanson While compiling profiles for his Facebook page, “Geysir Cemetery,” Blair has gathered information about the women who served as midwives in the Geyser District of Manitoba. Their skill and compassion were vital in the early days of the region. All of the following information was taken from Faith and Fortitude: A History of the Geysir District 1880s–1980s. Midwives were common in every community. It was a necessity to have someone trained to deliver babies

By Nelson Gerrard Each month Icelandic Roots presents an Interesting Icelander, a person that has positively impacted the lives of of fellow Icelanders. Nelson Gerrard, an historian and genealogist, is one such individual. If you are involved with searching your ancestral family, you've most likely heard of Nelson's contributions or have possibly exchanged family details. An accomplished author, Nelson Gerrard has also received recognition for several honourable awards. In 20

On August 1, 2026 — 148 years after the first Icelandic families settled the northeast corner of Dakota Territory, we will have our official groundbreaking for the Icelandic Rootshús Interpretive Center in Mountain, North Dakota. This will be a permanent home we can walk into, rising across from the historic Víkur Church and Cemetery, where our shared story will be told, remembered, and carried forward. This land is the homestead of the Father of the Icelandic Settlement in D

By Brian Borgford The following is a series of excerpts from the memoir of Thorsteinn Borgford (I464972), written in 1947 when he was in his 70s. His grandson, Brian, transcribed his typewritten manuscript. Thorsteinn tried to present his story in the third person, but his writing occasionally shifted into the first person. In addition, spelling and other errors that did not impact the meaning of his story remain unchanged. Brian has selected excerpts relevant to our theme

By Gerry Stefanson Gerry Stefanson is a member of the Icelandic Roots Author’s Group, and we are pleased to share his musings through poetry, a craft he has honed in more recent years. Many of Gerry’s poems have been previously published in our Newsletters. He has also published poet “Chap Books” through Spillwords. You can see more of his work, including Passages and Bouleversant HERE. For June, we are profiling the New Iceland area on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba as part of our