Iceland Biography

Iceland

Biographies (Ættfræðingatal)
These are published collections of personal histories. These records can simplify research and provide supplemental genealogical information. They are a valuable source of vital information (birth, marriage, and death dates and places) and provide multi-generational linkage. There are several significant sets including:


 * Alþingismannatal, 1845-1945 : konungsfulltrúa, landshöfðingja, ráðherra o.fl. (Register of Members of Parliament),
 * Prestaæfir á Íslandi [1000-1930] (Biographies of Iceland's Priests),
 * Sýslumannaæfir [1262-1915] (Biographies and Genealogies of County Magistrates)
 * Æfir Lærðra Manna [1400-1800] (Lives of Learned Men)

Contents
AlÞingismannatal
 * Names of members
 * Dates and places of birth
 * Education
 * Appointments
 * Occupations
 * Residence
 * Spouse
 * Date of marriage
 * Names of parents
 * Date of death

Prestaæfir
 * Names of pastors
 * Dates and places of birth
 * Date of death
 * Parentage
 * Date of marriage
 * Spouse
 * Children
 * Some include multi-generational genealogies

Sýslumannaæfir
 * Names of county [sýsla] magistrates
 * Dates of birth
 * Parentage
 * Spouse
 * Children
 * Residence
 * Occupation
 * Dates of death
 * Some include multi-generational genealogies

Æfir Lærdra Manna
 * Biographical sketches of men of prominence
 * Names
 * Dates and places of birth
 * Occupation
 * Residence
 * Parentage and sometimes ancestry for several generations
 * Spouse
 * Marriage date
 * Children
 * Date of death

The Sagas
The sagas are stories and histories of persons from the early Viking period and Middle Ages. They generally contain names of persons, genealogies of families, relationships, residences. They cover the time from the 3rd to 17th century. Virtually all sagas have been published, and many have been translated. Some are available online. An excellent introduction to the sagas can be found in Margaret Clunies Ross', The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse-Icelandic Saga (Cambridge University Press, 2010). Additional information can be found at Wikipedia, "Sagas of Icelanders".