Icelandic Settlement on Washington Island, Wisconsin
- Icelandic Roots
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Icelandic Roots newsletter theme for 2026 is the emigration to North America and the settlements there. Some are still active settlements, while others have since been abandoned. Washington Island is a settlement from 1870 that remains strong today.
In the mid-1800s, Icelanders began to emigrate to America. Many hardships in Iceland contributed to its people searching for a better life, for them and their family. Emigration proved to be the answer for some.
Stories of settling the west reached Iceland by letter from those who had already left. Government agents engaged in persuasive parlance. The dream of that better life was waiting for them.
The initial Scandinavian settlers of Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin were Danish with a small population of less than 50. The Icelanders arrived a few years later, a settlement that significantly contributed to the area’s success and whose many descendants remain in the area today.
Once such Dane, William Wickman, had connections in Iceland. He worked for a merchant in Eyrarbakki, Gudmundur Thorgrimsen, a man of particular influence. Wickman wrote to Gudmundur extolling the virtues of Washington Island. Another employee of Gudmundur’s, a young Jon Gislason was drawn to the idea of relocating. He and three others, Arni Gudmundsen, Jon Einarsson, and Gudmundur Gudmundsson, as carpenters and fishermen, were convinced; an ability to make a living on the land and the water inspired them.
These four young men made the arduous journey to Washington Island. They left Eyrarbakki in Iceland on 12 May 1870, arriving 27 Jun 1870 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin to meet William Wickman. Welcomed into the community, they soon learned the way of the land and lake. With determination and hard work their imprint was established.
Many Icelanders followed in the coming years. The influence of these early settlers is still visible today. Historians have kept the narrative alive, documenting and cataloging the stories and images.
Icelandic Roots genealogist, William “Willie” Engelson was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, a descendant of the Washington Island settlers. He has spent over 50 years researching and documenting his family.
Willie’s ancestors emigrated from the Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla area in 1887, settling on Washington Island, where his dad and maternal grandmother were also born. Willie also lived on Washington Island for a time while growing up.
His extensive research and documentation on the Washington Island settlement is captured in video and recorded in several blog posts.
The comprehensive video can be found on the Icelandic Roots channel on YouTube.
More to See...
The informative blog posts and previous articles from Icelandic Roots are found here:
Other articles of interest:
· Thor, Jonas. Icelanders in North America: the first settlers. University of Manitoba Press. 2002
· From Door County Pulse: Icelandic Emigration to Washington Island
· From Washing Island Observer: Washington Island Was On Forefront Of Icelandic Immigration
If you wish to research more of your family history using the resources available through Icelandic Roots, we welcome you to consider the community access options available and find the one that most suits your needs:
Send us Your Family Story
If you have stories, an anecdotes, or photos that help to tell your story, or that of your family's settlement, we welcome it all. Please send them along or ask any questions. Contact us at outreach@icelandicroots.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
