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A part of the Icelandic Roots Settlement theme of 2026 is exploring the areas where our ancestors arrived and settled in North America. The Washington Island community received its first Icelandic settlers in 1870. Descendants of those settlers are still there today. Have a look around...   Washington Island and neighbouring Rock Island to the northeast are where many Scandinavians settled and raised their families upon arrival to North America in the 19 th  century. The Icel

By Bryndís Víglundsdóttir We welcome this article by Bryndís Víglundsdóttir who tells us about a promise she made to her ten-year-old self. When first arriving in New York City she was presented with a much different cultural experience leaving her to wonder what the rest of the country was like: is this the Promised Land?   I was ten years old when I promised myself that one day I would go to America. I had read about remarkable Americans whom I deeply admired, and I longed

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 Sharron Arksey Celebrating Thanksgiving is held at different times in Canada and the United States. Our Writers' Group wrote stories about thankfulness for both holidays. With our American cousins anticipating its arrival, Sharron shares her thoughts on thankfulness after the trip to Iceland this past September. I did not try to count the sheep I saw in Iceland during the 2025 Icelandic Roots tour; there were too many. I did, however, smile often as I watched their woolly

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

by Alfreda Erickson Duffy Alfreda Erickson Duffy is a volunteer member of the Icelandic Roots Writers Group. She is an accomplished...

by Gunnar Birgisson Icelandic Roots welcomes guest writer, Gunnar Birgisson. He offers his thoughts about an interesting Icelandic word....

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.

Note: Deadlines for Snorri and Snorri Plus 2025 have been extended! Snorri applications will be accepted until Monday, February 17....

Travelling off the Ring Road brings many delightful discoveries.

There were over 85 stories and articles posted to the Icelandic Roots blog in 2024. They ranged from academic discussions of Sagas to...

By Maia Chapman Editor's Note: If you are interested in joining the Snorri Program in 2025, the application deadline is Monday, January...

Note: Icelandic Roots Samkoma Member Lee-Anne Fox describes herself as a phone-based hobbyist photographer and "photogenic Iceland is a...

Snorri 2024 Magna Goodman Deepened Her Roots

The 2024 Icelandic Roots Fundraiser Start forming your team, it’s time for our annual fundraiser! Icelandic Roots is pleased to announce...

by Veronica Li The Icelandic Roots Writers Group wrote about summer memories for their April assignment. I like to think of Iceland as my...

Snorri West Participants in 2024

By Rob Olason Making a trip to Iceland is an inevitable “wish list” activity for many western Icelanders and other travelers who are...

By Brian Borgford “In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue.” People of a certain age will remember the little...

by Brian Borgford “I must confess that I found the character of the Icelanders in every respect below the estimate I had previously...