Free!

Never Miss a Blog Post: Subscribe to Icelandic Roots!

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.

Subscribe Today!

Mar 11, 20223 min read

The Irish In Iceland

The oral history of Iceland was written down about 1125 and states that ”Christian men” (called Papar by the Norse settlers) were there...

Feb 26, 20225 min read

How I Handled Research for My Memoir

By Sverrir Sigurdsson A memoirist is supposed to depend mainly on his memory. For me, though, I wanted my memoir to reflect not just my...

Jan 26, 20224 min read

Connecting landscape to literature in Dalasýsla

If you are interested in connecting events that took place in the Icelandic saga literature to the physical landscape of Iceland, then...

Jan 16, 20222 min read

Destination: Hælið Museum, “The Great White Plague” Center

Update: Here is the video recording of the webinar: If one follows Eyjafjördur south of Akureyri about 10 km, just before reaching the...

Jan 16, 20222 min read

The Mailman is Ready For Delivery

The first book by Christopher Rodel, IR# I20590425, The Icelandic Postman, is published and ready for purchase. This book travels in the...

Dec 30, 20212 min read

The Old Norse Calendar

As we begin the New Year from our modern calendar, this is a good time to look back at our Icelandic heritage and the calendar used by...

Oct 23, 20215 min read

Ferry Cabin News - The Seal Skin Trunk From Iceland

News from Washington Island and the Surrounding Islands Richard Purinton Washington Island, Wisconsin This story first appeared in The...

Sep 24, 20212 min read

Icelandic Saga Connections

Bryndís Viglundsdóttir told me that when she was a little girl, she thought the characters from the Icelandic sagas were going to walk...

Sep 4, 20214 min read

The Saga of the People of Vopnafjörður

Vopnafjörður was a main port of Icelandic emigration to America and many of us can trace our families to East Iceland. Therefore, the...

Jul 21, 202120 min read

Icelandic Immigrants to Washington Island – 1870

Washington Island Icelanders 1870 and beyond.

Jun 6, 20213 min read

June Events, Holidays, and Celebrations

See all the special events, annual holidays, and special celebrations for June in the listings below. Today is Seaman's Day -...

May 23, 20213 min read

Volcanoes, Fitness, Genealogy & Poets? Something for Everyone!

The Icelandic Roots community has a variety of features and offerings. Check out the latest news and upcoming events. Join us in...

Jan 15, 20211 min read

The Scandinavian Press Magazine

Have you subscribed to the Scandinavian Press magazine? It is a wonderful magazine in full color with news, history, photos, and...

Mar 17, 20163 min read

Irish and Icelandic

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Some genes are passed on only by fathers, and some only by mothers. From this, genetic studies in Iceland reveal...

Jun 7, 20142 min read

Fires of the Earth: Lakagígar

An eyewitness account of 1783: “This past week, and the two prior to it, more poison fell from the sky than words can describe: ash,...

Apr 24, 20133 min read

Happy Summer – Sumardagurinn Fyrsti

This article was originally written by Hálfdan Helgason in 2006 as part of his regular newsletters. This year, 2023, the first day of...