**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!

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 Becky Byerly-Adams [Condensed for Rætur Fréttir/Roots News] As we learn about our heritage, the connection to our ancestors strengthens. It intensifies when opportunities exist to see where they once lived, stand where they stood, walk where they walked. The ultimate connection is finding their eternal place of rest. Growing up in non-Icelandic communities in the United States, long after my Iceland-born grandmother had passed, I was proud of my heritage. Yet I knew little

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 Alfreda Erickson Duffy The writers in the Icelandic Roots Author's Group are regular contributors to our newsletter. Meeting monthly provides a prompt for articles. In March, the prompt was something that reflects a "candle in the dark", a touchstone, or something that brings comfort. Enjoy this reflection by Alfreda. The Grunnvatns Settlement, sometimes referred to as the Lundar Settlement, is located east of Lake Manitoba, past the eastern edge of the town of Lundar itse

By Bryndís Víglundsdóttir The Icelandic Roots Writers' Group meet monthly and are given a prompt for writing assignments. This summer, we are sharing their stories from this past season. Bryndís shares with us the memorable adventures she experienced in her first year of living in the United States. I will open it randomly and tell you some of the experiences of the newcomer to America. Bryndís standing in front of a portrait of her younger self. Image sourced from IR image b

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 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

by Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane As we review the settlements in Winnipeg and the New Iceland area, no doubt many of us have reflected on the life our ancestors experienced. But what of our own life in these Icelandic settlement areas? One of our IR volunteers and author, Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane, reflects on her growing up in Winnipeg as a Canadian with Icelandic heritage. Doreen Borgfjord McFarlane There are not too many advantages to being what you might call “pretty old”

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 Rob Olason (I149007) In the January 18, 2026, edition of the Icelandic Roots newsletter, Rætur Fréttir/Roots News , I published the article, “The Icelandic Roots 2026 Focus.” Each year the newsletter team picks a theme to emphasize when we gather articles from our contributing authors. We intend that this sustained exploration of a topic over the course of a year will provide our readers with a deeper understanding of this aspect of Icelandic heritage. The 2026 focus is on

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 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 Shaune Jonasson Storytelling is as old as time itself. The progression of time has afforded us storytelling through various mediums. It is easy to lose track of time while reading a good story or listening to a talented storyteller. Summertime often gives us the opportunity to do just that: take out that book that you’ve been longing to read, or open that audiobook and plug in your earbuds. Curl up on a comfy chair in the shade and enjoy the adventure that awaits you. Th

Writers' Group Series "Changes"

By Jason Doctor At family reunions and visits with relatives in Watertown, South Dakota, a rich history of Icelanders from the area was hidden in plain sight. Jason recounts the story of Kristín Þorkelsdóttir, a well known writer, and other Watertown ancestors. Recounting this history and their stories is vital to keeping the past alive. Growing up, the family reunions I attended alternated between the Black Hills and Lake Kampeska in Watertown, South Dakota. We would typical

Icelandic Roots Book Club returns on January 9, 2025. Our host, Heather, will be featuring The Writing Place with the author, Sharron...

A ghostly nuisance in the mid-1800s Iceland.

The first Fall session of the IR Book Club returns on October 3rd.

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