Emigration - Where They Came From - Where They Settled
Early Emigration
In the late 1800s, thousands of Europeans left for the United States and Canada. Crop failures, famine, disease, and a lack of personal freedoms drove them away. The Homestead Act in North America promised something remarkable: FREE LAND!
Iceland's emigration began later than in other countries. In 1870, the population was about 70,000. Between 1854 and 1914, nearly one in four Icelanders — about 25% of the population — left for the west. A few small groups left earlier, in 1854 to Utah and in 1863 to Brazil. These were small numbers compared to the exodus that followed.
In 1870, four young bachelors left Eyrarbakki for Wisconsin. By 1874, many had moved on to the Minneota Settlement in Minnesota, and in 1878, they joined the new settlement in Dakota Territory. In 1873, 115 emigrants arrived in Muskoka, Ontario. Most went to New Iceland in 1875. In 1878, families from New Iceland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin moved to the new settlement in Dakota Territory. From 1874 onward, the majority settled in Manitoba and Dakota. Over time, Icelanders spread into every Canadian province and every state in the USA.
Emigration caused a sharp divide between those who stayed and those who left. Most were farm laborers with little chance to improve their lives. Iceland was the poorest country in Europe. Very few people owned land. The emigration years were a major turning point in Iceland’s history — a time of hardship, courage, and new beginnings.
Why They Left
By the 1800s, Iceland was beautiful but unforgiving. Families lived with hunger, poverty, and little chance to improve their lives. Tenant farmers worked land they did not own. Trade monopolies limited opportunity, and overpopulation strained the island’s resources. Natural disasters added to the hardship. Volcanic eruptions covered fields in ash, destroying crops and livestock. Harsh winters and drifting polar ice sometimes cut the island off from the world. Epidemics such as smallpox and the Black Death had devastated earlier generations, and disease continued to spread quickly in isolated communities.
But there were other reasons as well:
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Economic: The Homestead Act in North America promised free land — something almost unimaginable for landless farmers in Iceland.
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Social: Families sought a chance to provide a better future for their children.
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Political: Iceland was still under Danish rule, and many longed for greater independence.
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Religious: Some groups left to pursue their faith more freely.
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Personal: Others wanted adventure or the possibility of a new beginning.
Each emigrant carried their own story and their own reasons. Together, these choices created one of the most significant turning points in Iceland’s history — the great wave of emigration that carried nearly a quarter of the nation’s people across the ocean.
✨ From Viking explorers to resilient farmers, the story of Iceland is one of endurance, adaptation, and community, which laid the foundation for the nation that thrives today.
Emigration from Iceland - Where they came from
Immigration - Where Did They Go?
Below is an abbreviated list of Icelandic settlements, arranged by year of first arrival. Much more information — including letters, stories, maps, and residence details — can be found in the Icelandic Roots Database. You can also explore additional material on this website.
1854 — Spanish Fork, Utah
Arrival: In 1854, several people left Iceland as Latter-day Saint missionaries. After a 10-month journey, they reached Salt Lake City. The first three settlers arrived in Spanish Fork in September 1855. By 1860, there were 16 Icelanders; by 1914, there were 410. This was the first permanent Icelandic settlement in North America (after the short-term Vinland site centuries earlier).
Settlement: Around Spanish Fork, Utah County, south of Salt Lake City.
Departures: Some small family migrations to Washington State, California, and Alberta.
Website for the American Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/american-settlements
1863 — Brazil
Arrival: Began in 1863 when 4 Icelanders arrived. In 1873, emigration to Brazil ceased with the arrival of a large group; total emigrants numbered 35, though three died in Hamburg from the 1873 party, leaving 36 who made it safely to Brazil. Most of those who went to Brazil left from Þingeyjarsýsla.
Settlement: Initially, Curitiba and Paranaguá (Paraná), with some later moving to São Francisco do Sul and Joinville (Santa Catarina).
Departures: A few later settled in various places in North America.
See More: The Failed Brazilian Emigration by W.D. Valgardson
Website Page for the Brazilian Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/brazilian-settlements
1870 — Washington Island, Wisconsin
Arrival: In 1870, four young bachelors reached Washington Island in the fall. A few more arrived in 1871 and 20 in 1872. By 1885, there were about 70 Icelanders; arrivals continued until 1895. In 1900, there were 20 families on the island, though it often served as a stopover on the way west.
Settlement: Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin.
Departures: Mainly to settlements in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba.
See also: Icelanders on Washington Island video
1872 — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Arrival: Milwaukee was a major hub for Icelandic immigration. The settlement phase began here in 1872. Many worked on docks and fishing boats. By 1874, there were 200 Icelanders; by 1876, most had moved on, and the settlement had disappeared.
Settlement: In the city of Milwaukee.
Departures: Shawano (1874–75); Nebraska (1875); Minneota (1875); New Iceland (1875).
See also: First Day of the Icelanders Festival in 1874 video
1873 — Muskoka, Ontario
Arrival: Began in 1873 when 115 people arrived from Iceland. Although it was mainly temporary, a few families stayed; in 1899 there were 5 families.
Settlement: About 6 miles east of Rosseau, Cardwell Township, District Municipality of Muskoka, around Hekkla post office.
Departures: Most to New Iceland (1875) and a large group to northeast Dakota Territory (1880–84).
Website for the Canadian Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/canadian-settlements
1873 — Markland, Nova Scotia
Arrival: Began in 1873 from Kinmount and later supplemented from Iceland; at its height in 1880 it had ~200 people.
Settlement: Near Mooseland Heights in the Musquodoboit Valley (Halifax County); a few settled at Lockeport (Shelburne County).
Departures: By 1882, virtually all had moved — a few returned to Iceland; most went to New Iceland or Dakota.
1874 — Shawano County, Wisconsin (Ljósavatn)
Arrival: Began in 1874–75 from Milwaukee; disappeared after 1880.
Settlement: Around Shawano Lake, Shawano County.
Departures: Minneota (1876); majority to Dakota (1878-1880).
1874 — Nebraska
Arrival: A few left Milwaukee in 1874 and found prime farmland. Only three Icelanders wintered there that year. More arrived in 1875, and some came directly from Iceland in the following years. By 1880, all Nebraska farmland had been sold.
Settlement: Between Lincoln and Firth in Lancaster County.
Departures: To various other Icelandic settlements.
1874 — Kinmount, Ontario
Arrival: In 1874, 365 people arrived from Iceland as a temporary settlement.
Settlement: Kinmount, Peterborough County; a few families were located a few miles south at Lindsay.
Departures: A few to Markland (1875); the balance to New Iceland (1875).
1875 — Minneota, Minnesota
Arrival: Began in 1875 from Milwaukee, augmented in 1876 by arrivals from Shawano. Settlers continued to arrive from Iceland and Wisconsin; by 1900, the population reached ~800.
Settlement: Centered around Minneota and spanning parts of three counties in SW Minnesota, divided into four areas:
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The area around Marshall (Lyon County)
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The area around Minneota (Lyon County)
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East of Minneota (Vesturbyggð) — Lyon & Lincoln Counties
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East of Minneota (Austurbyggð) — Lyon & Yellow Medicine Counties
Departures: Dakota (1880).
Website for the American Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/american-settlements
1875 — New Iceland, Manitoba
Arrival: Began in 1875 from Kinmount, Muskoka, and Milwaukee when ~285 people settled. In 1876 another 1,200 arrived; after that, a continuous stream came primarily from Iceland. The population in 1900 was ~2,500.
Settlement: Along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg — original area Townships 18–23, Ranges 3–4 East of the Principal Meridian; around 1900 added Townships 22–23, Range 2 E. Located in the RMs of Gimli and Bifrost and the LGD of Fisher.
Departures: Pembina County in Dakota Territory (1878–80); Argyle (1881); steady migrations to Pembina, Argyle, and Winnipeg (1880–83 — these were the largest departures, almost leaving the area devoid of people by 1886); Victoria (1887); Pipestone (1892); Lakes Settlement in Saskatchewan (after 1900); Shoal Lake (1900–02).
See more: Remembering 'The Father of New Iceland': Sigtryggur Jónasson article
Website for the Canadian Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/canadian-settlements
1877 — Winnipeg, Manitoba
Arrival: Began in 1877 (from New Iceland); continuous inflow continued from New Iceland, Iceland, and Pembina, and by 1901 Winnipeg had ~4,000 Icelanders.
Settlement: In the city of Winnipeg.
Departures: Many moved in small groups to other settlements; major group migrations to Swan Lake (1890) and Lakes Settlement (Saskatchewan, after 1900).
1878 — Pembina County in Dakota Territory (North Dakota became a state in 1889).
Arrival: Began in 1878. Large groups came from New Iceland (1879–86). The Shawano settlement moved en masse in 1880, joined by some from Minneota; in 1881–82 arrivals from Markland increased the numbers. Some also came directly from Iceland. A liberal estimate put the population at ~2,300 in 1905.
Settlement: Major areas in Akra, Beaulieu, Thingwalla, and Gardar Townships, centered around Mountain, Gardar, and Hallson; later expanding into Cavalier and Park Townships (Pembina County), Cavalier County to the west, and the town of Pembina.
Departures: Markerville (1888); Blaine, WA (1888); Swan Lake (1890); Mouse River (1891); Roseau County (1893); Winnipegosis (1899); Brown (1899–1900); Big Grass (1900); plus smaller groups to Winnipeg, the West Coast, Utah, and elsewhere.
See More: The Founding of the Icelandic Settlement in Dakota video
1880 — Argyle, Manitoba
Arrival: Began in 1880–81 from New Iceland, continuing until 1886. Estimated population ~1,000 by 1900.
Settlement: Townships 5–7, Ranges 13–14 W of the Principal Meridian in the Municipality of Argyle, around Glenboro and Baldur. Extension 1889–91 added Township 8 Range 13 W (the Skálholt / Hólar district).
Departures: Pipestone (1892); Lakes Settlement, Saskatchewan (1909).
1880–85 — Selkirk, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1880–85, initially from New Iceland. In 1901, the population numbered 500–700.
Settlement: In the town of Selkirk.
Departures: Blaine, WA (1888); steady movement to Winnipeg over many years.
1882–83 — Brandon, Manitoba
Arrival: Although beginning in 1882–83, most settlers arrived after 1887, generally from other areas.
Settlement: In the city of Brandon.
Departures: The majority left around 1900 for Vancouver.
1883 — Victoria, British Columbia
Arrival: Beginning in 1883; the majority arrived after 1887 from a variety of places. The first settlers came primarily from New Iceland.
Settlement: In the city of Victoria.
Departures: Point Roberts, Washington (1893).
1883–86 — Churchbridge, Saskatchewan (Thingvalla)
Arrival: 1883–86 by people directly from Iceland or after a year or two in Winnipeg.
Settlement: Near Churchbridge (Townships 22–23, Ranges 31–33 W), RM of Churchbridge (No. 211), encompassing Churchbridge and Concordia; nearby Langenburg and Bredenbury also had numerous Icelandic residents.
Departures: Lakes Settlements (1892); Big Point (1893–94).
1886 — Mouse River, North Dakota
Arrival: Began in 1886 from Pembina; the major influx (also from Pembina) began 1891.
Settlement: Around Bottineau (Bottineau County) and Upham & Bantry (McHenry County), principally along the Mouse River.
Departures: Swan River (1898–99); Lakes Settlements (after 1900).
1886 — Keewatin, Ontario
Arrival: Began in 1886 from a variety of places. The population in 1900 was 56.
Settlement: In the town of Keewatin, District of Kenora.
Departures: Over time, families moved on to many places.
1887 — Swan Lake, Manitoba (Álptavatnsnylenda)
Arrival: Began in 1887 from Winnipeg; some came from Pembina (1890–95). Population in 1900 was ~250.
Settlement: Townships 18–20, Ranges 3–5 W, RM of Coldwell, centered around Lundar (also called the Lundar or Posen settlement).
Departures: Shoal Lake (1889–91); The Narrows (1889–90).
1887 — Tantallon, Saskatchewan (Hólar and Vallarbyggð)
Arrival: Hólar began in 1887 by settlers direct from Iceland or via Winnipeg; Vallarbyggð was settled in 1900 from Pembina.
Settlement: Hólar — Township 18, Ranges 31–32 W, Municipality of Spy Hill (No. 152) around Tantallon. Vallarbyggð — Township 19 Range 31 W, also in Spy Hill, around Spy Hill and Gerald.
Departures: Movement from Hólar and Vallarbyggð to the Lakes Settlements (Wynyard area, 1912).
1888 — Markerville, Alberta
Arrival: Began in 1888 with 50 people from Pembina.
Settlement: Townships 36–38, Range 1 and Township 36, Range 2 W5, Red Deer County.
Departures: Osland Island (1913).
1888 — Blaine, Washington
Arrival: Began in 1888 from Pembina and Selkirk (the only group migrations); all other arrivals were in small groups from varied places.
Settlement: In and near the town of Blaine, Whatcom County.
Website for the American Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/american-settlements
1889–90 — The Narrows, Manitoba
Arrival: Began in 1889–90 from Swan Lake, with later migrations from Shoal Lake. Population in 1901 was ~150.
Settlement: Primarily Townships 22–25, Ranges 8–10 W. Towns included Vogar, Hayland, The Narrows, Siglunes, Silver Bay, Ashern, Steep Rock, and Moosehorn.
1889–91 — Shoal Lake, Manitoba (Grunnavatnabyggð)
Arrival: Began in 1889–91 from Swan Lake; supplemented by a large influx from New Iceland in 1900–02. Population in 1900 was ~250.
Settlement: Primarily Townships 18–20, Ranges 2–3 W, RM of Coldwell and the Local Government District of Armstrong.
1890 — Calder, Saskatchewan (Lögberg)
Arrival: Began in 1890 by people either directly from Iceland or after a few years in Winnipeg.
Settlement: Township 24, Range 32 W, RM of Churchbridge (No. 211), near Calder.
Departures: Big Point (1893–94).
1892 — Pipestone, Manitoba & Saskatchewan (Laufás)
Arrival: Began in 1892, primarily from New Iceland and Argyle; population in 1901 was ~100.
Settlement: Townships 6–7, Ranges 29–30 W — RMs of Albert and Pipestone (Manitoba) and Antler No. 61 (Saskatchewan). Also known as the Melita district.
1892 — Lake Settlement, Saskatchewan (Vatnabyggð)
Arrival: Entire area settled beginning in 1892; at its height extended through Townships 29–34, Ranges 10–19 W2, with ~3,600 people by 1917.
Settlement: Often called one settlement but actually several adjacent ones. Early arrivals came from Iceland and other Saskatchewan settlements; after 1900, the majority came from Pembina and Mouse River (ND) and Argyle (MB).
Website for the Canadian Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/canadian-settlements
1892–94 — Foam Lake, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1892–94 from Churchbridge; after 1900 many came from North Dakota.
Settlement: Townships 30–32, Range 11 and Townships 30–31 Range 12 W2, RM of Foam Lake (No. 276).
1893 — Big Point, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1893–94 from Churchbridge and Calder; by 1901 there were ~230 people.
Settlement: Around Langruth on the SW shore of Lake Manitoba — Townships 16–17, Ranges 8–9 W, Municipality of Lakeview.
1893 — Roseau County, Minnesota
Arrival: Began 1893 from Pembina, ND.
Settlement: Roseau County, Minnesota.
Departures: Piney, Manitoba (1897–99).
1893 — Point Roberts, Washington
Arrival: Began 1893 from Victoria and Bellingham.
Settlement: A small peninsula in Whatcom County, connected by land to Canada only (south of Ladner, BC).
1895 — Vancouver, British Columbia
Arrival: Began 1895 and increased slowly until well after 1900; settlers arrived from all Icelandic communities in North America.
Settlement: In the city of Vancouver.
1897 — Winnipegosis, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1897 when a group settled in the town; in 1899 a group from Pembina joined; by 1900 there were ~100 people.
Settlement: Initially in Winnipegosis; in 1900 many moved to Red Deer Point (Township 35, Range 18 W), ~26 miles north.
Departures: By 1907 most had moved back to Winnipegosis or to the Saskatchewan settlements.
1897–99 — Piney, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1897–99 from Roseau County, MN; by 1900 population was 50–100.
Settlement: Around Piney in SE Manitoba, centering in Township 1, Ranges 12–13 E.
1898–99 — Swan River, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1898–99 from Argyle and Mouse River; population ~100 by 1901.
Settlement: Widely dispersed in the Swan River Valley, generally Townships 36–37, Ranges 25–26 W, RM of Minitonas.
1899–1900 — Brown, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1899–1900 from Pembina; population 50–100 in 1900.
Settlement: Township 1, Ranges 6–7 W, near Brown in Stanley RM.
1900 — Big Grass, Manitoba (Marshland)
Arrival: Began 1900 from Big Point; the majority came from Pembina.
Settlement: East side of Big Grass Marsh, Township 17, Range 10 W, Lakeview RM.
1900 — Lake Manitoba, Manitoba
Arrival: Began 1900 from Big Point.
Settlement: Townships 24–25, Ranges 11–12 W, Alonsa RM; included Reykjavik, Bayend, Wapah, and Lonely Lake on the NW coast of Lake Manitoba.
1903 — Kristnes, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1903 from North Dakota.
Settlement: North of Foam Lake — Townships 32–33, Ranges 11–12 W2, RMs of Foam Lake (No. 276) and Sasman (No. 336).
1903 — Leslie, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1903 from North Dakota.
Settlement: West of Foam Lake, centered around Leslie (Township 31, Range 13 W2), RM of Elfros (No. 307).
1903 — Hólar, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1903 from North Dakota.
Settlement: SW of Leslie, parts of Townships 30–31 Range 13 W2, RMs of Elfros (No. 307) and Emerald (No. 277).
1903 — Elfros, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1903 from North Dakota.
Settlement: Around Elfros, parts of Townships 32–33, Ranges 13–14 W2, RM of Elfros (No. 307).
1903–04 — Mozart, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1903–04 from North Dakota and Manitoba.
Settlement: Around Mozart, parts of Townships 32–33, Ranges 14–15 W2, RM of Elfros (No. 307).
1904 — Mount Hecla, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1904 from North Dakota.
Settlement: South of Leslie, part of Township 30, Range 13 W2, RM of Emerald (No. 277).
1904 — Wynyard, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1904 from North Dakota; some from Tantallon in 1912.
Settlement: Around Wynyard, Townships 31–33, Ranges 15–16 W2, RMs of Elfros (No. 307) and Big Quill (No. 308).
Notes / See also: Film: Wynyard history
Website for the Canadian Settlements: www.icelandicroots.com/canadian-settlements
1905 — Kandahar & Dafoe, Saskatchewan
Arrival: Began 1905, mainly from North Dakota and Argyle.
Settlement: Around Kandahar and Dafoe, Township 32 Range 17 and Townships 31–32 Range 18 W2, RM of Big Quill (No. 308).
1913 — Osland Island, British Columbia
Arrival: Began 1913 from Markerville, Alberta; population reached ~70 during the 1920s.
Settlement: About 10 miles south of Prince Rupert on the east side of Smith Island, facing the Skeena River.
Departures: Most had left by the late 1940s, many settling in Prince Rupert.
1915 — Hunter Island, British Columbia
Arrival: Began 1915 from various places.
Settlement: NW section of Fitz Hugh Sound, about 20 miles SW of Ocean Falls.
Departures: Everyone had left by 1930.