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Jun 25, 2023
5 min

The Power of Icelandic Poetry

by Sverrir Sigurdsson Works of art, such as music, literature, and paintings, have been known to move a country to action, change social...

Jun 8, 2023
5 min

The Fishing Industry in Iceland

by Halldór Árnason Iceland is a country whose farming and fishing industries have led its economic growth for centuries. Halldór Árnason...

May 27, 2023
4 min

Honoring Those Who Served

By Kathy Thorlakson On June 12, 2022, a dedication service was held at the Vidalin Lutheran Church in Hensel, North Dakota, for several...

May 27, 2023
1 min

2023 Scandinavian Festival Features Iceland!

Special Icelandic Events - Please share by Romayne Kilde, Nordic Culture Clubs Scandinavian Festival The Nordic Culture Clubs and the...

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...

Apr 30, 2023
5 min

The Failed Brazilian Emigration

By W. D. Valgardson It wasn’t just Icelanders who were enticed to Brazil. Michael Ewanchuk, in his book, Pioneer Profiles, says this “In...

Apr 30, 2023
3 min

Björgvin Guðmundsson - Teacher, Composer, Conductor

This is one of three articles focusing on Icelanders who left for the West, North America, and returned to Iceland. Björgvin Guðmundsson...

Apr 30, 2023
2 min

Interesting Icelanders

A monthly feature profiling an interesting person of Icelandic birth or ancestry found in the Icelandic Roots database. This is the first...

Apr 16, 2023
2 min

Cue up the Icelandic Roots Podcast

Three 2022 Snorri Experience participants have joined forces to produce upcoming Icelandic Roots podcasts and have already released their...

Apr 2, 2023
4 min

The 1816 Iceland Census

The 1816 Census is a wonderful resource that includes names, household positions, the farm they are living on, their marital status, age,...

Apr 2, 2023
2 min

Ingibjörg Björnsdóttir, a Knowledgeable Professional

By Sigrídur Matthíasdóttir & Thorgerdur Einarsdóttir Note: This article is drawn from a lengthy academic article exploring a...

Mar 19, 2023
2 min

Fond Memory of Our First Trip to Iceland

By Valdine (Scrymgeour) Hernes My husband, Sigfred (I640085), and I (I639986) have visited Iceland four times. On our first trip in July...

Mar 19, 2023
3 min

Anna Sigrídur Gudmundsdóttir Sigbjörnsson, a cultured woman with connections

By Sigrídur Matthíasdóttir & Thorgerdur Einarsdóttir Note: This article is drawn from a lengthy academic article exploring a...

Mar 19, 2023
2 min

Iceland’s Unique Folklore Explored in Webinar

All folklore is distinguished by its motifs, whether they be big bad wolves or trolls or vengeful ghosts. But there is one motif that...

Mar 5, 2023
5 min

Bréfin frá sólskinsbörnum (The letters from sunshine children)

An interview with scholar Christopher Crocker In June of 1916, the children’s newspaper Sólskin, a supplement to the weekly North...

Feb 19, 2023
4 min

Jóhanna Ketilsdóttir, an entrepreneurial, professional woman

By Sigrídur Matthíasdóttir & Thorgerdur Einarsdóttir Note: This article is drawn from a lengthy academic article exploring a little...

Feb 19, 2023
3 min

Prophetic Dreams: A Curse or a Legacy

The Icelandic Roots Book Club for Thursday, March 2, 2023, will feature Prophetic Dreams: a Curse or a Legacy with author Alfreða...

Feb 5, 2023
2 min

A Cherished Object

By Sverrir Sigurdsson As a young child, I loved tales of the Vikings: how they traveled abroad to seek fame and fortune, while those who...