Are your ancestors from Iceland?

Do you want to know who your first Icelandic ancestor was and when he or she left Iceland and arrived in Canada? Are you curious about your Icelandic origins?

If so, the website at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is a great place to begin your research.

Here you will find a page dedicated to genealogical research on the http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/icelandic.aspx.

This page provides you with historical information, archival documents and published material from the Library and Archives Canada collection, as well as links to other websites and institutions.

If your ancestor came to Canada between 1865 and 1935, you might find his or her name on the http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/passenger-lists/Pages/introduction.aspx

To read more about Iceland, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Canadian

If you want to learn more about Icelandic Immigration to North America, go to http://www.halfdan.is/vestur/vestur.htm

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Icelandic Emigration Center at Hofsos, Iceland

It has been 15 years since the Icelandic Emigration Center opened. Is is estimated that between 20 to 25% of the total population of Iceland emigrated to North America in the early 1900s.

Nelson Gerrard, a write from Eyrarbakki, Manitoba has been in Iceland this summer assisting in answering genealogical inquiries, and in helping at putting together exhibits at the Emigration Center.

He specializes in recording the history of Icelandic emigrants in North America, and his books include Icelandic River Saga and The Icelandic Heritage, and he is currently researching Gimlunga Saga, a 3-volume history of pioneers in the Gimli area.

The museum is at http://en.hofsos.is/, and their email is hofsos@hofsos.is

In Canada, Gimli, Manitoba was where many of the Icelandic people settled, and there is the New Iceland Heritage Museum (NIHM). It was founded in Gimli in 1973.

There is archival photos and local history research material, free audio tours, and there is the Gimli Webcam.

Go to the website http://nihm.ca/museum/about.html. You can contact them at nihm@mts.net