Elizabeth Thorfinnson was born in Mountain, North Dakota. Mountain, North Dakota is a city in Thingvalla Township in Pembina County North Dakota. At one time it was the largest Icelandic community in the United States. Mountain was founded in 1884, the immigrants began arriving in 1879. There is a large Icelandic Heritage celebration every year on August the 2nd. In 2007 the former prime minister of Iceland attended the celebration. We went this year!
Elizabeth’s father Arni Thorfinnson immigrated from Iceland in 1882, at the age of six, with his family. Elizabeth’s mother Sigridur Bjornson immigrated from Iceland in 1899, when she was 11, with her family. They were married in 1907 in Akra, North Dakota. They had 10 children with Elizabeth being the youngest. Elizabeth is my husband’s mom.
One of Elizabeth’s favorite food memories was skyr pronounced skeer. This is an Icelandic yogurt that her mom made at home. (Now we can find a similar item at the grocery store) Another favorite was brown bread. I don’t know if there is a more Icelandic sounding name because this is what my husband’s family called the bread. It seems to be one of those love it or hate it types of food. It may be the labor intensive part of creating this bread that detracts from it’s appeal. Lloyd (my husband) and his brothers all liked it. His sisters however did not. Every year for Christmas Lloyd’s mom sent him a box of homemade brown bread in the mail. She also sent another box for his birthday. After she passed away I have tried to continue the tradition. Here is my attempt.
It is a mix of white and wheat flour, black strap molasses and dark brown sugar. Slightly sweet and dense it is very aromatic and a delight for the taste buds. I like baking bread and used to quite often. It’s a great way to take out any aggressions when you knead the dough. Best of all it always conjures memories of Lloyd’s mom.
Enjoy your time learning about traditional foods from your ancestors.
My Tree in the Forest 