Leif

Erikson Comes to America

Abigayle Kompst
Senior Division
Individual Website
Annotated Bibliography

Leif Eriksson Comes to America

SECONDARY SOURCES
"Leif Eriksson - The First European in North America." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 23 Nov.
2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3GM3F7JZ2c>.
This video introduces Leifs family and basic facts about his voyages. It addresses Leifs origin,
as well as some major life events. Introduces Dr. Helge Ingstad, as researcher who discovered
the civilization in New Foundland. Overall very reliable because it was broadcasted on
Scandinavias pbs channel, and includes facts from interview from those researchers. This is a
secondary source. Includes helpful information to introduce topic and intrigue further research.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.biography.com/people/leif-eriksson-9378184>.
This article talks about Leifs time in Greenland and the purpose for his expeditions. Addresses
Erik the Reds exile from Norway. Also, gives details about the Nordic tales that shape the facts
for Leifs expedition. As well as, describing some of the 2000 plus artifacts found in the site in
modern day. This source is reliable because it was linked from the history channel website. It
was also supported by primary sources (artifacts). This is a secondary source. The information
was helpful in developing an understanding of Leifs beginnings.
Mental Floss. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. <http://mentalfloss.com/article/52993/11-leiferikson-facts-leif-erikson-day>.
This source shares some basic need to know facts on Leifs culture such as religion, family
situation, and education. It addressed nicknames and other minor details. Leifs birthplace was in
Iceland, not Norway. This article also described Leifs ancestors, including Thorvald
Asvaldsson. Not the most reliable source, but still valid and supported by facts. It was very
relevant in establishing qualities of civilizations in Scandinavia. This is a secondary source.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/erikson_leif.shtml>.
Addressed Nordic sagas and Eric the red, both attributed to Leifs fame as an explorer. Describes
the passing of Nordic tales and how they form historical facts. Also states that it is impossible to
be certain of facts from Leifs life because it was so long ago. The article goes into little detail on
Leifs brothers. This is a trustworthy source from a research article supported by facts. This is a
secondary source. The site had helpful, easy to read, and organized information.
Leif Ericson Discovers America. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. <http://historyworld.org/leif_ericson_discovers_america.htm>.
Tells the story of Leif getting to America, borrowing a ship, and discovering New Foundland.
Also describes different leadership skills of Leif. States what the islands they discovered looked
like with lots of tree and cliffs. Talks about the journey on the boats and the hardships at sea. It

also addresses Thorwald, Leifs brother who also went to New Foundland. Trustworthy source
with pictures and drawings from the time. This is a secondary source. The article was very
lengthy and not easy to read, but the quality of information was worth it.
"Leif Erikson." Leif Erikson. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm>.
Tells of Leifs childhood. Gives details of Nordic culture and how children are raised. Tells of
the time Leif moved in with another man. Describes Leifs education-- whom he learned from.
Talks about how Leif became a Christian. Very reliable secondary source supported with quotes
of the time and sketches. The information was helpful in discovering Leifs childhood in respect
to Norwegian culture. Well-organized and easy to extract facts.
"Leif Ericsson." Leif Ericsson. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://viking.no/e/people/leif/eleiv.htm>.
Delves into Eric the Reds history with violence and being kicked out of Norway a couple of
times. Describes the soil in Vinland. This article describes the food sources in Vinland as well.
Addresses briefly other Norse legends relevant to Leif Erikssons journey to America. This
source was linked from a Norwegian database of information with apparent, but slight, hatred
toward Erik the Red. This is a secondary source. The information was helpful in giving
background knowledge on Leifs expedition and Nordic values. The source was easy to navigate.
Swearinger, Ronald. "Who Really Discovered America, Eh?" Who Really Discovered America,
Eh? N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.lawzone.com/half-nor/swearinger.htm>.
This is a speech by Ronald Swearinger comparing Christopher Columbus and Leif Eriksson. He
gives details about who wrote Norse tales. He states a few articles with information that he used.
Some interesting quotations allude to a certain bias Swearinger has toward Leif. This article was
helpful in pre-analyzing information about Leif from other sources. This is a secondary source.
The website had other reliable sources for this topic and seemed to be updated frequently.
"LEIF ERICSON: Icelander or Norwegian?" LEIF ERICSON: Icelander or Norwegian? N.p.,
n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.mnc.net/norway/nationality.htm>.
This author addresses a common conflict people debate when addressing Leif Eriksson. Is Leif a
Norweigian, or Icelandic? The author supports him being a Norweigian due to the
underdevelopment of the world and the very few civilizations that exist. She uses some unique
comparisons to prove her point. Although the author is slightly biased, she still provides relevant
information based on facts. This is a secondary source. The information she gave was helpful to
the reader to be aware of the conflict and pick a side. Overall, the author taught that settlement
does not affect cultural status.
Ryne, Linn. "Leif Ericson Biography (from ODIN)." Leif Ericson Biography (from ODIN). N.p.,
n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. <http://www.mnc.net/norway/ericson.htm>.

Addresses Erik the Reds settlements and how it later affected Leifs life. Expresses signifigance
of Leif being the first explorer of Norway to be recognized worldwide. Describes a bit of
background on why Leif set out for New Foundland in the first place. States that Leif never
returned to Vinland/ New Foundland after his first or last visit. This is biography that remains
very factual, and therefore unbiased. This is a secondary source. The information was helpful in
adding context to prior knowledge from this research.
"Leif Ericson." - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Leif_Ericson>. (c. 970- c. 1020 C.E)
Addressed community in Vinland and how it prospered. Justified that most of Leifs exploits
were recorded in Norse Legends. This means that most information on Leif is accurate until
proven wrong. This article also goes into detail about Christopher Columbus. It is an unbiased
resource coming from the new world encyclopedia. It is a secondary source. Overall, it is a wellkept site, updated in August of 2015.
Landofthebrave.info,. "Leif Ericson Facts ***". N. p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015
This source lists facts supported with dates. The facts include when and where Leif was born,
when he died and where he ventured while he was living. This source is a reliable, unbiased
source because it is just facts, no strings attached. This is a secondary source. It was helpful in
supporting other facts collected.
PRIMARY SOURCES
"Leif Erikson Quote." A-Z Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.azquotes.com/quote/828579>.
We are all leaders-whether we want to be or not. There is always someone we are influencingeither leading them to good-or away from good. This quote shows Leif as a heroic person and a
justified leader. It is difficult to be certain this quote comes from the man himself because of the
lack of documentation in this time period. Nonetheless, it is helpful in deciphering the views
others had on Leif. This is a primary source.
A-Z Quotes,. "Leif Erikson Quote". N. p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
The pain that we cause is the cause of our pain. This quote is a primary source of Erikssons
violent Viking nature. Because it is a quote, it is free from bias. This information is helpful in
seeing first hand what kind of leader Leif was.
Thordarson, Sveinbjorn. "The Saga Of Erik The Red - Icelandic Saga Database".Sagadb.org. N.
p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
This is a saga, or story, from the time Eric the Red and Leif Erikson were living. These stories
were created based on true events. They documented what was happening in voyages,

explortions, and everyday Viking life. In this Saga, the reader learns about Leif discovering men
on an island at sea. This source is supremely reliable in comparison to other sources of this time
period. This is a primary source. The reading developed an understanding of why Norse sagas
are so important to developing history. This information justified by hard evidence, creates facts.
Canadian Art,. "Big Art On Small Walls: Ned Pratt At 2 Rooms In Newfoundland". N. p., 2015.
Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
This is a photo of many artifacts found in the 1960s. Many hunting, building, and cooking
instruments are present in the picture. These are important discoveries to Newfoundland, or
Vinland. They develop an understanding of lifestyle, and justify the norse tales of Leifs
expeditions. This is a reliable source because it is derived from the very civilization Leif and his
explorers inhabited for a year. This is a primary source.

APMEX,. "2000 Iceland Silver 1000 Kronur Leif Ericson Proof | Silver & Other Coins (Iceland)
| APMEX". N. p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
This is a photo of a coin with Leif Erikson showing his importance to the people of Canada and
Greenland. This is a primary source and helpful in the relative description of Leifs appearance
and idolization.

Mnh.si.edu,. "Vinland Sagas". N. p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

This is a primary source that justifies the actual existence of Norse Sagas. The Norse Sagas are
the single most important stories that share what life was for Vikings. This picture, and actual
real-life page, is instrumental in supporting evidence for the existence of Leif Erikson and his
family. The page is reliable, but biased to Norwegian views, because it was written by
Norwegians, so descriptions may be in favor of their culture.

Runestonecarver.com,. "The Best Document Rune Stone Ever Made, The Vinland Runstone". N.
p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
This is a rune stone for Leif Eriksson to commemorate his exploration to North America. This is
an important primary source because it reflects Norwegian culture and solidifies that the voyage
actually occurred. This is reliable information because this stone actually exists in
Newfoundland, Canada.

Iat-sia.org,. "IAT-SIA - IAT News". N. p., 2015. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.

This is a photo from present day Newfoundland, or LAnse aux Meadows. Dr. Ingstad
discovered this in 1963. This shows the living situations of this group of Vikings, building
techniques, and justifies their settlement there. This is important supporting evidence to the
Norse Sagas and facts based on the discovery of Vinland. This is a primary source.

Greenland, Visit. "Erik The Red - The Discovery Of Greenland".Greenland.com. N. p., 2015.
Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
This is an example of a Viking civilization in Greenland. In comparison to Newfoundland, they
are very similar. This shows that the homes in Newfoundland were shaped by traditional Viking
homes in Greenland. This is important in the justification of Leifs expedition to modern day
Canada. This is a primary source.

World News Daily Report,. "USA: Viking Artefacts Discovered Near Great Lakes". N. p., 2014.
Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
These artifacts were found near the great lakes. They are not directly connected to Leif Eriksson,
but they are connected to the Vikings. This justifies that Vikings came to the Americas many
times before Christopher Columbus. The Vikings did not colonize, but they did set up temporary
living situations. This is important to the lifestyle of Leifs people. This is a primary source. The
artifacts give a real image to the predictions of archeologist.

Elfshotgallery.blogspot.com,. "Elfshot: Newfoundland And Labrador Palaeoeskimo Harpoon

Heads". N. p., 2010. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
These are harpoon heads found in Newfoundland. They were used for hunting, fishing, and
occasional self-defense. They attached to the end of a stick and were used like spears. This
discovery in modern day Newfoundland was important to the understanding of how Vikings
lived in this land. From this, one could conclude the Vikings were resourceful. This is a primary
source of Leif Erikssons voyage to North America.

Perkins, R. M. "Norse Implications". The Geographical Journal 140.2 (1974): 199. Web. 17
Dec. 2015.

This is a recreational building found in Newfoundland. This shows the importance of social
gathering for Vikings. In the short year they lived in this civilization, they felt it was vital
that they built a community building. This is a primary source exemplifying the Viking
brotherhood. This building was found in 1963 and contributes to the point that Leif
Erikson came to America before Christopher Columbus.