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Dec 74 min read

A Bonfire and Elf Dances in 1875

Celebrating the end of Christmas season with bonfires and elves dancing.

Dec 74 min read

Interesting Icelander for December - Rósa Guðmundsdóttir

Welcome to the last instalment of our Interesting Icelanders for 2024. We hope you enjoy the story about a poet who is revered today for...

Nov 94 min read

Day of the Icelandic Tongue

Icelandic Language Day is celebrated on November 16th

Oct 252 min read

Njal's Saga Tapestry Embroidery Kits

Njal's Saga Tapestry Kits are available for purchase in N America.

Oct 255 min read

Interesting Icelander for October - Skalla-Grímur

Interesting Icelander for October 2024 is Skalla-Grímur Kveldúlfsson.

Oct 118 min read

A Mixed Bouquet: Religion Among the Western Icelanders

Note: Rev. Stefan Jonasson presents the topic "Religion in the New World" in an Icelandic Roots Webinar on October 28, 2024. The webinar...

Sep 143 min read

Samtal Hour Explores the Journey to the Americas From Iceland

Journey to North America from Iceland

Sep 143 min read

Interesting Icelander for September: Jón Árnason

Jón Árnason, an accomplished wealthy landowner and farmer, a parliamentarian, a sheriff, and father of many.

Aug 315 min read

The Vikings in North America – Fact or Fiction?

The discovery of L’Anse Aux Meadows in the 1960s is proof that the Vikings, discovered North America before Columbus.

Aug 171 min read

Echoes

Memories lurk at L'Anse Aux Meadows.

Aug 34 min read

Torfhús at L’Anse aux Meadows

Does the Torfhús at L’Anse aux Meadows smell the same as the ones remembered in Iceland?

Jul 203 min read

Interesting Icelander for July: Helgi “magri” Eyvindarson

Helgi, one of the “most excellent settlers” in the Northern part of Iceland.

Jun 227 min read

Castles and Old Manuscripts

By Bryndís Víglundsdóttir Editor's Note: Icelandic Roots brings you another article from one of our favourite storytellers, Bryndís...

Jun 83 min read

What Are You Doing on Jón Sigurðsson’s Birthday?

By Rob Olason Editor's Note: Icelandic Roots is encouraging everyone to jot down a quick diary entry to document their day on June 17,...

May 112 min read

Submit an article to Rætur Fréttir/Roots News

Do you have an idea for an interesting article? A story about your ancestor? A travel report about your latest visit to Iceland? We're...

May 114 min read

The Viking of the 21st Century

Viking Ships

Apr 254 min read

April’s Interesting Icelander: Halldor Laxness, Iceland’s Literary Icon

By Doreen (Borgfjord) McFarlane For its small size and population, Iceland is a giant when it comes to literary accomplishments as well...

Apr 123 min read

Wasteland with Words

By Jason Doctor “One can see... in the Icelanders’ obsession with literacy, an urge to impose order on the desolation of the Icelandic...

Apr 122 min read

Book Club - May 2024

The Icelandic Roots Book Club for Thursday May 2, 2024 will feature Summer Light, and Then Comes the Night. It is important to note that...

Apr 126 min read

Reconstructing Old Iceland from North America - Part Two

Jakob Sigurðsson and his Melsted Edda by Jason Doctor and Cathy Josephson Editor’s Note: You will recall Part One addresses the life,...