The Story of Early Icelandic Emigration to the Americas. Part 1: Iceland in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Climatic changes and farming conditions. Part 2: Canada and the US in the late 1800s. Most of the immigrants where from rural Iceland and had little experience in farming, apart from raising sheep. "Agriculture" as known in North America was new to the Icelanders. Part 3: The many scattered Icelandic settlements in Canada and the US. In a relatively short time, Icelanders had covered the continent from coast to coast. Part 4: There are still Icelandic descendants who can speak fluent Icelandic. Part 5: The church played a pivotal role in keeping the North American Icelandic community together. Services were conducted in Icelandic until the late 20th century. Part 6: Culture has always played a large role in the life of Icelandic immigrants. Many well-known poets lived in Canada and the US. Writing was a natural thing for anyone with Icelandic roots. Part 7: Icelandic descendants describe their lives and experiences. Colour, running time approx. 130 min.
