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By George T. Freeman This month's Interesting Icelander article featuring Hjörtur (Chester) Þórðarson/ Thordarson was written by Hjörtur's great-great-nephew, George Freeman. Arriving in North America as a young lad of six, we learn about Hjörtur's life and legacy. Icelandic Roots is sharing this article with permission. THE VIKING HALL AT WISCONSIN’S ROCK ISLAND STATE PARK Hjörtur Thordarson (I481526) Icelanders and their descendants enjoy tales of the accomplishments of o

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

Note: The Icelandic Roots Book Club is open to all members at Icelandic Roots. To learn more about membership levels, visit our membership page . The Icelandic Roots Book Club for Thursday, March 5 th, will feature A Necessary Distance: Confessions of a Scriptwriter’s Daughter with author Julie Salverson. We can all relate to the excitement, and possible trepidation, of discovering a letter or journal written by family members long after they have departed this mortal coil.

By Shaune Jonasson Welcome to Icelandic Roots Interesting Icelanders for 2026. This year, we will focus on those who emigrated to North America or their descendants, that became accomplished or well known within the area. Our first profile is honouring the memory and achievements of Sir William Stephenson from Winnipeg, Manitoba.   William Samuel Clouston Stanger/Stephenson (I523046) was born on 23 January 1897 in the Point Douglas area of Winnipeg, Manitoba to a Scottish fa

by Shaune Jonasson This month, we are profiling a contemporary Icelandic author born on 17 December 1963, Jón Kalman Stefánsson. The Icelandic Roots Book Club has had the privilege of hosting Jón Kalman as the guest author to discuss his book Summer Light, Then Comes the Night  in May 2024. In January 2026, the Icelandic Roots Book Club will meet to discuss the 2024 English translation of Your Absence Is Darkness .   Jón Kalman Stefánsson Photo Credit: Reykjavík Grapevine, Vi

By Phyllis Smith We never know who we are going to meet when we travel, be it near of far. Phyllis tells us of their trip to Iceland and the people they met over dinner. They were talking with someone named Magnús . Here's what she had to say about that encounter... During our last trip to Iceland, we took the ferry over to the Westman Islands to stay for a day or two. It’s worth a visit. We did a tour around the Island on a zodiac. It’s a fabulous view of the area. We toure

by Shaune Jonasson This month’s Interesting Icelander profiles Bólu-Hjálmar, one of Iceland’s notable folk poets, whose sharp wit and satirical views were often received with mixed reviews. He was most noted for his mastery of rimur , a short poetic narrative. He was also an accomplished woodcarver. Life for Bólu-Hjálmar was far from easy and not without strife. Despite these challenges, he lived a colorful life for 80 years. It is my privilege and honour to write this post.

A prominent woman from Iceland driven by doing right for her country, a true sprakkar. Read about this amazing woman, Ólöf “rika”...

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