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Are you eager to stay informed about all things Icelandic? Look no further than the Icelandic Roots newsletter! Our dedicated team of authors and guest writers brings you insightful and engaging content on various topics related to Icelandic culture, history, travel, famous people, language, genealogy, and upcoming events.
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Apr 2, 20232 min read
Ingibjörg Björnsdóttir, a Knowledgeable Professional
By Sigrídur Matthíasdóttir & Thorgerdur Einarsdóttir Note: This article is drawn from a lengthy academic article exploring a...


Mar 19, 20232 min read
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, 20233 min read
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, 20232 min read
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, 20235 min read
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, 20234 min read
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, 20233 min read
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, 20232 min read
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...


Feb 5, 202313 min read
The Icelanders Go West
By W. D. Valgardson Note: These remarks were originally delivered by the author at the Icelandic National League of North America...


Jan 22, 20233 min read
The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey’s Godi
The Icelandic Roots Book Club for Thursday, February 2, 2023, will feature The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey’s Godi, with Jason Doctor as our...


Jan 8, 20234 min read
Iceland's January Holidays
According to the old Norse calendar, the year is made up of Winter and Summer. January is the halfway point of winter, and several...


Jan 8, 20232 min read
2023: The Journey is Just Starting...
2023 is shaping up to be a momentous year for Icelandic Roots. On November 12th, we will celebrate our tenth anniversary as an official...


Dec 25, 20228 min read
Snorri Plus Program - Lectures in Reykjavík, 2022
Editor's note: Laura Hackney wrote this report to give a sense of the valuable background information that is a part of the Snorri Plus...


Dec 11, 20223 min read
How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small Island
The Icelandic Roots Book Club for Thursday, January 5, 2023, will feature How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small...


Dec 11, 20222 min read
A Brief Look Inside Reykdæla Saga
This month's newsletter is about Suður Þingeyjarsýsla and there is no better saga to represent this region than Reykdæla saga ok...


Nov 26, 20222 min read
Christmas at Árbær Open-Air Museum (Árbæjarsafn)
Located just south and east of Reykjavík city center, along Route 1 (the Ring Road), and east of the River Elliðaá, lies the Árbær...


Nov 26, 20222 min read
Cataloging the Icelandic Roots Library
by Angela Beaton, IR Librarian: This is a quick update on the Icelandic Roots Library Hello! My name is Angela Beaton and I have had the...


Nov 10, 20221 min read
Gullbringusýsla
Historic Gullbringusýsla isn't the largest county by land mass in Iceland, but it certainly holds great significance in the present day....


Nov 10, 20226 min read
My War Years
By Sverrir Sigurdsson Friday, May 10, 1940, was a momentous day in the world’s history. Nazi Germany unleashed blitzkrieg attacks against...


Nov 10, 20225 min read
The Bachelor Invasion
By W.D. Valgardson The Royal Navy and Royal Marines, who occupied Iceland on May 10, 1940, weren’t invited. They just appeared like...
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