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Channel: Icelandic Roots
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Drowning: Death and Despair

Genealogy is always interesting and I love it! However, these past few weeks have been a little distressing. I have been working on a special project called the “Drowned Report.” We are chronicling...

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Blind Pigs

I came across an interesting old term this week. A “blind pig” is an old phrase usually used for a lower-class, unlicensed establishment which served alcohol thwarting prohibition laws. They would...

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Advertise Your Icelandic Event

Hi! Do you attend or organize an Icelandic Festival, Picnic, Dinner, Þorrablót, June 17th Celebration, Christmas event, Presentations, or any other Icelandic event? Social Media is a great place to...

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Icelanders and Their Connections to Utah and the West

Come to Utah for a celebration! Come and see the historic sites, learn more at the program, and connect with your Icelandic roots. It has been 160 years since our Icelandic ancestors immigrated to Utah...

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24. June is a Magical and Special Day

Today, 24. June, is a special day on the Icelandic calendar called Jónsmessa or St. John’s Day. Did you know in Icelandic folklore this day is magical?  Cows speak in human language, seals turn into...

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“Also Known As” and Other Interesting Reports

Many Icelandic emigrants changed their surnames when they came to North America. Below are a few examples. Þórðarson \ Thorlacius Alexandersson \ Alexander Andrésson, Árnason, og Arnbjarnarson \...

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Traveling to Iceland – the Highlights

I have recently returned from Iceland after a one week tour with two of our grandchildren ages 10 and 5. Both of them are extremely interested in our Icelandic heritage. We asked Audri, an 18-yr-old...

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What are Tindra Tales?

Tindra Tales are the retelling of centuries old Icelandic folktales. Photos, illustrations, and a soundscape are the backdrop for a high-end, modern take on these old tales bringing the stories of our...

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Phenomenal Growth of Information at Icelandic Roots Genealogy Database

Góðan daginn! Genealogy is so fun and can quickly become an obsession. Yesterday, I looked at the new statistics for the IR Genealogy Database. The genealogists have been hard at work (a little...

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Kemur í Ljós – The Answer Comes in the Light

The answer has come. The death of a family member has been uncovered in an obscure newspaper article thanks to Jim Benjaminson. 31 Oct 1884 Pioneer Express newspaper Sophronious Aulson is the name of a...

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The Great Fishing Voyage –Útilegan Mikla

Here is an amazing story about Icelandic fishermen in 1869 – people who lost their lives and those who survived. Heimskringla Newspaper. 08 December 1937. Útilegan Mikla. Bréf úr Vestmannaeyjum....

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Icelanders and Their Connection to Utah and the West

Dear Friends, I would like to invite you to register and attend the upcoming BYU Conference, “Icelanders and their Connection to Utah and the West”, held September 9th-13th (see icelander.byu.edu)....

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Dalir – The Valleys and Aud the Deep-Minded

The past few days I have been staying with dear friends and cousins at their home overlooking the beautiful Hvammsfjörður in the northern part of west Iceland. There are many valleys, mountains, hills,...

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Icelanders and Their Connection to Utah and the West

Come to Utah for a celebration! Come and see the historic sites, learn more at the program, and connect with your Icelandic roots. It has been 160 years since our Icelandic ancestors immigrated to Utah...

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Questions for My Ancestor

Dear Ancestor, I have so many questions. Here is my longing request. I wonder and wonder About the day that you left. Was the sun in the sky? Did it glimmer on the fjörð? Were the seabirds flying by On...

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Vopnafjörður: Keeping Our Shared Story Alive

The last few days have been in northeast Iceland. Vopnafjörður was a main port of Icelandic emigration to America and many of us can trace our families to this area. The East Iceland Emigration Center...

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Bustarfell

On the last day in East Iceland, I visited two preserved turf farms Bustarfell and Sænautasel. This post will focus on Bustarfell. It is an amazing ancient estate in Vopnafjörður under a mountain...

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Icelandic National League of North America

Membership in the INLofNA (Icelandic National League) has so many benefits! Do you know all the fun we are having? Have you checked out the many programs? This organization and the INL in Iceland are...

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Do You Know Your Family History?

Do you know your Icelandic family story? Understanding your family history will actually increase your happiness and help you handle stresses in life! Read more below to learn why. When people think of...

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First Day of Winter (Fyrsti vetrardagur)

Hello dear friends, Today is the first day of winter in Iceland. There are 26 weeks of winter and 26 weeks of summer. In old Icelandic, this month is called Gormánuður and is known as slaughter month...

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