Thorgrimur S Saga

Thorgrimur’s Saga by Len Fertuck

This is the story of the descendents of Þorgrímur Pétursson, born OCT 19 1801 in the parish of Hof near the town of Vopnafjörður in the district of North Mulasysla in Northeastern Iceland. Like the ancient Icelandic sagas written around the twelfth century, this one dwells heavily on family relationships, perilous voyages, and settlement of new lands. This story sets the environment in Iceland, describes the places where the family lived, the voyages to North America, the pioneer settlers, and their descendents. Where possible, maps, photographs, and documents have been used to illustrate the story. The story in Iceland revolves around three farms―Hákonarstaðir, Hámundarstaðir, and Sandfellshagi―where many of the family members grew up or farmed. The story in North America revolves around settlements in Minneota Minnesota, Pembina County North Dakota, Selkirk Manitoba, and Foam Lake Saskatchewan where most of the family members settled. The story has been compiled from many sources. There is an abundant paper trail left in the form of emigration lists, ship passenger lists, newspaper reports, homestead records, censuses, obituaries, and family histories. Material has been drawn from the National Archives of Canada, various archives in Minnesota and North Dakota, and libraries at the University of Toronto and the University of Manitoba. A number of databases on the Internet have been invaluable. Various books have compiled Icelandic family histories that have been an invaluable resource. Even with all of these resources, the trail is incomplete. Some of the family members could not be traced after they left for North America. Often the trail faded once they stopped writing family histories and obituaries in Icelandic.

1 Thorgrimur’s Saga

A Brief History of Iceland Iceland is an island located just below the Arctic Circle. The sun shines all night in the summer, so sundials are marked in a full circle. Conversely there is almost no sun at all during the winter. The island is about 500 km wide and 300 km high. Fjords indent the rocky shoreline. The grassy valleys along these fjords provide lush grazing land. The interior of the island is barren and covered with volcanoes, glaciers, or rock-strewn desert. Farm buildings sit with their backs to the mountains and look out over their pastures. The island sits between the warm Gulf Current to the Southeast and the frigid Labrador Current to the Northwest. The Gulf Current makes the temperature warmer than would be expected at this latitude. Summer temperatures are 12 to 15ºC and winter temperatures are around -10ºC. The Labrador Current can bring icebergs to the northern coast. The temperature is too cold and the growing season is too short for cereal grains. It is just barely possible to grow hardy crops, such as turnips and potatoes. Celtic monks first settled the southern and eastern shores in about 800. They were driven out in about 860 when the Vikings first discovered the island. Ingólfur Arnarson first settled around Reykjavik in 874. Over the next 50 years he was followed by several thousand of his countrymen who were trying Traditional and modern farmhouses. to escape from the harsh rule of King Haruldur the Fair-haired of Norway. About a quarter of these came from Celtic countries which the Vikings had settled or conquered. By 930, Iceland had a population of 70,000. The population stayed around that figure for nearly 1,000 years.

Viking exploration 800-1100 AD.

These descendents of Viking adventurers settled down to raise sheep, cattle, and horses on farms at the edge of the island where the mountains met the sea. During the summer they pastured their animals in the uplands and during the cold winter they fed them hay harvested in the low meadows around their homes. Within a few hundred years, logging and overgrazing eliminated virtually all of the trees on the island.

2 In 930 the settlers established the Althing, their parliament, which was a unique democratic institution that met annually to pass laws and settle disputes. It has continued to this day. In 1000, the Althing democratically voted to adopt Christianity as the religion of Iceland. This was about the same time that Leifur ‘the Lucky’ Eiríksson first sailed to North America. Between 1120 and 1230 the old Scandinavian Oral Sagas were written down in Iceland. Icelanders read them with enthusiasm. The country has had a tradition of literacy ever since. They have a virtually 100 percent literacy rate and the world’s highest per capita consumption of books, periodicals, and newspapers.

Icelandic Spelling Icelandic uses a modified Roman alphabet. The letters C, Q, and W are not used. The letters ð pronounced like th in breathe) Þ (pronounced like th in thin), and Æ (pronounced like i in mile) are added. An acute accent may be used on any vowels to give them the long sound (á, é, í, ó, ú, and ý). In addition, o can be accented as ö (pronounced like ur in urgent).

Icelandic Names Iceland uses a patronymic system in which a child’s last name is derived from the first name of the father to indicate that the child is the son or daughter of the father. The mother does not change her name upon marriage. Thus, Þorgrímur Pétursson below, the son of Pétur Pétursson and Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir, has the last name Pétursson. This is not because his father has the same last name. It is because his father’s first name is Pétur. Similarly, Pétur Pétursson gets his last name from his father’s first name. Þorgrímur’s mother, Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir, has the last name Eggertsdóttir because she is Eggert’s daughter. Guðmundur, the son of Þorgrímur is called Guðmundur Þorgrímsson. A few families have inherited family names like the Scheving name of Guðmundur’s mother. These are usually descended from people who immigrated from another country. The last name is never used alone and Icelandic phone books are sorted by first name. This system leads to a lot of people with the same name. In phone books, the occupation is given to help differentiate people with the same name.

| Marr MAY 06 1828 | Eggert Einarsson

| Died JAN 22 1863 | Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir | Born 1735

Died MAR 23 1864 | | Died MAY 28 1824

3 | Kristín Guðmundsdóttir | Born 1775 | | Sigríður Bessadóttir Born 1745

Those who emigrated to North America soon started to use family names to match the customs of their new homeland. They often took the father’s last name. Some chose names that were shorter, easier to spell and pronounce, or names that appeared more English. Thus Jónsson sometimes became Johnson and Sumarliðason became Summers. Names can have different endings depending on the case of the word. Thus Hámundarstaðir Vopnafjörður and Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði are the same place. This document will use Icelandic forms for people in Iceland and will convert them when the people emigrate.

4 Map of Iceland Iceland is divided into 23 shires or counties called sýsla. They cut the island into pieces that roughly resemble pie slices. Since the center of the island is made up mostly of glaciers and deserts, the boundaries become vaguely defined in the interior. The following map shows the sýsla. The empty white areas on the map are glaciers (jökull in Icelandic).

The map also shows the 12 ports that were used by emigrants when they left Iceland. The numbers on the map show the number of emigrants who left each sýsla during the period 1870 - 1914. If a number is missing, it means that the emigrants are combined with a neighboring sýsla. The sýsla are further divided into parishes used for church administration. A parish in turn contains a number of farms. Each farm has a name. The farms were subdivided and combined at various times, so a name used at the time of emigration may, or may not, exist now. A typical address would be Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði í Norður-Múlasýsla. This refers to Hámundarstaðir Farm in the parish of Vopnafjörður in the county of North Múla. The different endings signify different grammatical cases and can be ignored in translation. Staðir is a common ending for farm names and means place. Thus Hámundarstaðir likely originated as Hámundar’s place.

5 A Tale of Three Farms Every farm in Iceland has a name that dates back to the time it was first settled. This is the story of three families that grew up on three farms in Northeastern Iceland during the nineteenth century. Eventually most of the members of both families emigrated to “Amerika” as they called it. The first family are descendents of Pétur Pétursson of Hákonarstaðir farm in Jökuldal North Múlasýsla. His son, Þorgrímur Pétursson, married Sigriður Arnadóttir, and moved to Hámundarstaðir farm. Three of his children eventually married children from Sandfellshagi farm. The location of the farms is shown on the map at the right, which was taken from an 1890 map of Iceland. Roads of the time are shown on the map. They traveled exclusively on horseback, since there were no wheeled vehicles on the island. Sir Richard Francis Burton spent the summer of 1872 in Iceland; on his return to England he wrote the two-volume work, Ultima Thule; Or, A Summer in Iceland (1875), in which he describes Icelandic farms as follows. “At present the grasslands are the wealth of the island, as they pasture the flocks and herds, which form the chief means of subsistence, and the most important articles of industry and commerce. The meadows are grassed over by nature, not ploughed or harrowed, such implements being rarely used. Nor are they seeded. The grass is soft and thick, much like our red-top, and about six inches high; only in rare places the ponies wade up to their knees through the rich meads. The hay is carefully sheared, and is exceedingly sweet. White clover flourishes; and on the streams it is found growing spontaneously with caraway. The farms are all named, mostly from natural features. The best are on the north side of the island; yet the three most generally cited as models are Viðey off the West Coast, and Hólmar and Möðrudalur, to the east. The southwestern (not the southern) shore supports a fishing rather than a pastoral or agricultural population. The non-maritime people live in scattered homesteads, which nowhere form the humblest village. The only settlements are the trading-places on the seashore. Agriculture, being absolutely confined to haymaking, is a mere misnomer in Iceland, nearly three-quarters of whose population is pastoral, though not nomad. The wealth of the country consists of sheep, horses, and black cattle; goats are spoken of in the north, but the author did not see a single head. Each farm has, besides the tun, a bit of lowland upon which grass is grown, and a large extent of barren hill and moorland, where the sheep graze during the fine season; this is always assumed to belong to the property. The farm is divided from its neighbors by landmarks, natural and artificial; the latter are stone heaps, the former some marked limit, as a hill, a rock, or a stream. The boundaries are a perpetual cause of dispute, and some of the most complicated lawsuits have thus arisen.”

6 Hákonarstađir Pétur Pétursson was born at Skjoldolfstad in Vopnafirði in 1761. He married Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir and they moved to Hákonarstaðir in 1803 shortly after Þorgrímur Pétursson, their eighth child, was born. They probably lived in a stone and turf house like the one illustrated in this Icelandic stamp based on a drawing by Auguste Mayer who toured Iceland in 1836. Wood was unavailable since the early settlers cut down virtually all the trees on the island. Wood was so precious that there were laws about who had the right to collect driftwood on the beach. James Nicol describes the typical rural house in 19th Century Iceland in An Historical and Descriptive Account of Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands (3rd edition, 1844).

“The present houses of the Icelanders differ little from those used by their ancestors, who first colonized the island; and though not according to our ideas of beauty or comfort, are probably the best fitted for the climate. They never exceed one story in height, and as each room is in some measure separate from the others, the buildings on a moderate-sized farm bear some resemblance to a village. The walls are occasionally composed of driftwood, but oftener of stone or lava, having the interstices stuffed with moss or earth, and are about four feet high, by six in thickness. Instead of the usual rafters, the roof often consists of whale-ribs, which are more durable, covered with brushwood and turf, producing good grass, which is carefully cut at the proper season. From a door a long passage extends to the badstofa or principal room, the common sitting, eating, and sleeping compartment of the family. From the sides of the lobby, doors lead to other rooms used by the servants, or for kitchen and dairy. In the better class of houses, the walls of the principal chamber are wainscoted, and the windows glazed; but these luxuries are unknown in most, and the holes in the roof that admit the light are covered by a hoop, with the amnion of a sheep, or a piece of thin skin, stretched over it. They have no chimneys or grate, the smoke escaping by a hole in the roof; and there is no fire even in the coldest weather, except in the kitchen. The beds are merely open frames filled with seaweed, feathers, or down, over which is thrown two or three folds of wadmal (coarse rough woolen fabric), and a coverlet of divers colours. Cutaway of turf house From the roof hang various articles of domestic economy; the floor is generally nothing more than the damp earth; and the only seats are the bones of a whale or a horse's skull. The houses are usually surrounded by several others for the cows, horses, and fuel, though these frequently open from the common lobby; and also by numerous ricks of hay covered with turf and stones, which closely resemble the former, and increase the apparent extent of the buildings. It is but seldom that the traveler meets a dwelling a little larger, more airy and better built.”

Since wood was unavailable for fuel, the living quarters were built adjacent to the stables for the sheep, cattle, and goats. Body heat from the livestock kept the people warm through the winter. Peat or dried animal dung were sometimes used as fuel. Tallow candles were used for lighting during the long winter nights. Gardens and grain crops were uncommon although potatoes and turnips could grow in most areas. The following chart shows Pétur’s ancestors for four generations. His ancestors have been traced for 40 generations back as far as the year 650. About 2000 ancestors have been identified. As with most Icelanders, they can trace their ancestors to Norse and Irish nobility around the years 700 to 900. The early ancestors are chronicled in the sagas written during the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. Pétur Pétursson’s father was also called Pétur Pétursson. So was his first son and so was his first grandson by that son. This made a fine family tradition, but was a bit confusing for anyone trying to understand the family tree. We will refer to Þorgrímur’s father as Pétur II and the son of Pétur II as Pétur III. Pétur III operated Hákonarstađir after his father. He married Ingibjörg Vigfusdottir from Hofvopnafirði N- Mulasyslu where he was born.

The descendants who lived on this farm are shown below.

Pétur Pétursson born 1761, Of Skjoldolfstad, Iceland, occupation Farmer, married OCT 16 1791, in Hofvopnafirdi, Nordur Mulasyslu, Iceland, Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir, born 1772, Hofssókn, (daughter of Eggert Einarsson and Kristín Jónsdóttir) died Hákonarstaðir. Pétur died JUL 26 1825, Hakonarstaðir, Hofteigur I Jokuldal, Nordur-Mulasysla, Iceland. Lived in Vopnafirði and at Hákonarstaðir from 1803

I. Pétur Pétursson born JAN 11 1794, Foss, Hofvopnafirði Nordur-Mulasysla, Iceland, married Ingibjorg Vigfusdottir, born 1797, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. A. Matthildur Karolina Pétursdóttir born 1824, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland. B. Hallfridur Pétursdóttir born 1826, Jokuldal, Nordur Mulasyslu, Iceland. C. Petur Pétursson born 1827. D. Jon Pétursson born 1830. E. Gunnlaugur Pétursson born 1831, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland, married Guðbjörg Jónsdottir, born 1837. This family emigrated to Minnesota in 1873. In 1875 they became the first Icelandic settlers around Minneota in Lincoln County Minnesota. 1. Jón Gunnlaugsson born 1860, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland. 2. Guðbjörg Runölfsdottir born 1867. Foster child 3. Kristin Gunnlaugsdottir born 1868, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland. F. Vigfus Pétursson born 1831, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland. G. Pall Pétursson born 1832, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla Iceland. H. Kristin Pétursdóttir born 1833, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla. I. Sigfinnur Pétursson born 1835, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla. J. Ingibjorg Elisabeth Pétursdóttir born 1838, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla. K. Bjorn Pétursson born 1842, Hakonarstadir, Hofteigur, Nordur-Mulasysla.

8 II. Jón Pétursson born DEC 16 1794, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. III. Jonatas Pétursson born DEC 25 1795, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu. IV. Benjamín Pétursson born NOV 22 1796, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. V. Kristín Pétursdóttir born FEB 02 1798, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. VI. Ólöf Pétursdóttir born 1799, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. VII. Jónatan Pétursson born AUG 31 1800, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland. VIII.Þorgrímur Pétursson born OCT 19 1801, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasyslu, Iceland, occupation Farmer, married MAY 06 1828, in Kirkjubær Iceland, Sigridur Arnadóttir Scheving, born 1806, Husey in Hrbarstungu, (daughter of Árni Stefánsson Scheving and Kristín Guðmundsdóttir) died MAR 23 1864, Hámundarstaðir í Vopnafirði. Þorgrímur died JAN 22 1863, Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi N-Mulasysla. Þorgrímur and Sigridur farmed at Skjaldþingsstaðir from 1828 to 1830 and then moved to Hámundarstaðir. IX. Eggert Pétursson born SEP 09 1803, Hákonarstaðir Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu. X. Guðrún Pétursdóttir born SEP 21 1804, Hákonarstaðir, Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu, died MAR 17 1834. XI. Hallgrímur Pétursson born MAY 09 1807, Hákonarstaðir, Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu. XII. Anna Pétursdóttir born JUN 20 1809, Hákonarstaðir, Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu. XIII.Jónas Pétursson born AUG 22 1810, Hákonarstaðir, Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu. XIV.Sigfús Pétursson born MAY 26 1813, Hákonarstaðir, Hofteigur, N-Mulasyslu.

Hámundarstaðir This 18th century engraving shows a farmer bringing sheep to market at Vopnafjörður by boat for fall slaughter. In the background are meat barrels and racks for curing sheepskins, as well as a merchant’s establishment.

Hámundarstaðir looks out over the sea along the north coast of the fjord from Vopnafjörður. Rolling green meadows overlook the sea where seals fish and eider ducks swim into the wind. Ships coming to Vopnafjörður can be tracked as they enter the fjord. Þorgrímur and Sigriður came to Hámundarstaðir in 1830 and raised a family of 11 children who were all born there. In addition, Þorgrímur fathered 2 other children in extramarital affairs. An article about Kristin, one of their children, describes her upbringing at Hámundarstaðir as follows:

Approaching Vopnafjord from the South. (Auguste Mayer 1836)

9 “All these children were raised by their parents at Hámundarstaðir and received a good upbringing. Kristin said that her parents were well-off and that Hámundarstaðir had always been considered one of the better farms in Vopnafjörður. There were always many guests and they were always welcomed and received with great hospitality, whether poor or rich. In those years there were about 30 people at Hámundarstaðir including two or three fosterchildren that Þorgrímur and Sigriður had Hamundarstadir in 1999. taken in. Kristin often mentioned her childhood with glowing words. She was raised in a praiseworthy home where all endeavors were useful and worthwhile. Though she had no formal education, she learned a great deal at home that served her well in later life. Very early she became acquainted with much of the best in Icelandic literature, both ancient and modern. Kristin and both of her parents were bookish and followed the custom of reading good books aloud during the long winter evenings while the people sat around with their handwork in the living room. Kristin learned many poems and psalms during her childhood. She mastered the children’s educational books long before she was confirmed, and could remember much from them in later years for she had an excellent memory.”

Farmers at Hámundarstaðir I Family reading in the evening. (Auguste Mayer 1836) 1830-1863 Þorgrímur Pétursson and Sigriður Árnadóttir 1863-1874 Jónatan Þorgrímsson and Guðný Jóhannesdóttir 1875-1887 Guðvaldur Jónsson and Kristín Þorgrimsdóttir 1888-1891 Einar Jónsson and Hallfríður Þorgrimsdóttir 1892-1894 Jón Sigurðsson and Kristín Jóhannsdóttir (unrelated) 1895- Björn Jónsson and Sigriður Pálsdóttir (unrelated)

Farmers at Hámundarstaðir II 1855-1868 Árni Þorgrímsson and Þórunn Jónsdóttir 1859-1861 Guðmundur Þorgrímsson and Sigríður Jónsdóttir 1868-1874 Guðvaldur Jónsson and Kristín Þorgrimsdóttir 1875-1876 Sigbjörn Ásbjörnsson and Stefanía Magnúsdóttir 1876-1887 Einar Jónsson and Hallfríður Þorgrimsdóttir 1888-1889 Guðjón Jónsson and Guðriður Sigurðardóttir (unrelated) 1890-1891 Þorgrímur Jónsson and Jarþruður Árnadóttir (unrelated) 1891-1895 Þorgrímur Jónatansson and Sigriður Kristín Jónatansdóttir 1896-1945 Sveinbjörn Sveinsson and Guðbjörg Gisladóttir (unrelated)

10 The children of Þorgrímur and Sigriður are described below.

Descendents for Two Generations 1. Þorgrímur Pétursson born OCT 19 1801, Foss, Hofvopnafirði N-Mulasysla, Iceland, (son of Pétur Pétursson and Hallfríður Eggertsdóttir) occupation Farmer, married MAY 06 1828, in Kirkjubær I Hroarstunga, N. Mulasyslu, Sigriður Árnadóttir Scheving, born 1806/1807, Husey in Hroarstungu, (daughter of Árni Stefánsson Scheving and Kristín Guðmundsdóttir) died MAR 23 1864, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði. Had extramarital children by Ingbjorg Eiriksdóttir and Gudfinna Bjarnadóttir. Þorgrímur died JAN 22 1863, Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi N-Mulasysla. 2. Children by Sigriður Arnadóttir Scheving: 2. i Pétur Þorgrímsson born NOV 19 1829. 3. ii Sigþruður Þorgrímsdóttir born DEC 05 1830. 4. iii Árni Þorgrímsson born NOV 11 1832. 5. iv Guðmundur Þorgrímsson born JAN 29 1834. v Sveinn Þorgrímsson born MAR 18 1836, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died MAY 30 1837, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. vi Jón Þorgrímsson born MAR 18 1838, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died APR 21 1838, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. 6. vii Jónatan Þorgrímsson born AUG 17 1840. 7. viii Hallfriður Þorgrímsdóttir born DEC 02 1842. 8. ix Benjamín Þorgrímsson born DEC 24 1844. 9. x Kristín Þorgrímsdóttir born NOV 08 1847. xi Jón Þorgrímsson born NOV 22 1850, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died 1872. Children by Ingbjorg Eiriksdóttir: 10. xii Guðrún Þorgrímsdóttir born SEP 12 1833. Children by Gudfinna Bjarnadóttir: xiii Guðfinna Þorgrímsdóttir born OCT 01 1843, Hof i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died OCT 18 1843, Hof i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu.

Second Generation

2. Pétur Þorgrimson (1.Þorgrímur1) born NOV 19 1829, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married (1) Olof Olafsdottir, married (2) OCT 15 1863, Margret Thorsteinsdóttir, born 1835, Ljosalandi Vopnafjord. Pétur was Margret’s second husband. Children by Olof Olafsdottir: i Sigridur Petursdottir born JAN 20 1852, died JAN 25 1852. Children by Margret Thorsteinsdóttir: ii Sigridur Petursdottir born SEP 21 1864, Hamundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi, died FEB 05 1865. iii Þorgrímur Petursson born JAN 18 1866, Ljosalandi Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula. iv Larus Petursson born OCT 03 1867, Ljosalandi Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula.

3. Sigthrudur Þorgrimsdóttir (1.Þorgrímur1) born DEC 05 1830, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married (1) OCT 09 1851, Kristjan Snolfsson, born DEC 16 1826, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula, (son of Snjolfur Eiriksson and Kristbjorg Hallgrimsdottir) died NOV 19 1860, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula, married (2) OCT 25 1861, in Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula, Kristinsveinn Johannesson, born 1832, Ytri-nypu i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. Children by Kristjan Snolfsson: i Sesselja Kristjansdottir born APR 25 1852, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula. ii Thorgrimmur Kristjansson born AUG 02 1853, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula. iii Jon Kristjansson born AUG 06 1855, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula, died AUG 12 1855. iv Jarngerdur Kristjansdottir born AUG 06 1855, Ytri-nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula.

11 Children by Kristinsveinn Johannesson: v Vigdis Kristinsdottir born FEB 13 1864, Ytri nypur Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula, died FEB 19 1864. vi Son Kristinsson born DEC 20 1865, Melar, Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula. vii Kristjan Vigfus Kristinsson born DEC 20 1865, Melar, Hof i Vopnafirdi, Nordur Mula. viii Gudrun Olveg Kristin Kristinsdóttir born AUG 1867, Gudmundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi N-Mula. ix Stefan Kristinsson born OCT 23 1869, Gudmundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi N-Mula, died JUL 08 1870, Gudmundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi N-Mula. x Jakobina Kristinsdottir born APR 22 1873, Gudmundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi N-Mula, died APR 27 1873, Gudmundarstadir, Hof i Vopnafirdi N-Mula.

4. Árni Þorgrímsson (1.Þorgrímur1) born NOV 11 1832, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married in Hof i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, Þórunn Jónsdóttir, Illugasonar, born OCT 14 1826, Djupilaekur Skeggjastadir, N Mulasyslu, (daughter of Jon Illugason and Vigdis Stefansdottir) died MAR 25 1912, Akra, ND. Árni died 1868. When they married, they occupied a second farm at Hámundarstaðir. All of the children were born at Hámundarstaðir in Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. Þórunn remarried to Gudmundur Thordarson about 1874. They left for America in 1878 on the ship S.S. Queen from Vopnafjordur to Edinburgh Scotland. Sailed on S.S. Waldensian from Glasgow to Quebec on July 21, 1878 with daughter Sigridur and sons Jonathan and Benjamin to settle around Hensel ND. All of the surviving children eventually emigrated to America. Children: i Sigríður Arnadóttir born JUN 17 1855. (twin) Emigrated with mother. ii Son Arnason born JUN 17 1855. (twin) iii Guðrún Arnadóttir born OCT 02 1856, died 1898. Was raised by Hallfridur Thorgrimsdottir iv Þorgrímur Arnason born JAN 09 1858. Worked as a farmhand at Ljótsstaðir. Emigrated aboard the S.S. Copeland from Vopnafjordur in 1888 bound for Winnipeg MB. v Arni Arnason born APR 06 1860, occupation farmer. Emigrated to Hensel ND in 1882. Took in Gudvaldur Jackson and aunt Kristin for a year when they emigrated. Married 1891, in Akra ND, Gudrun Baldvinsdóttir, born MAY 14 1866, Storu-Thvera Nesi Fljotum, (daughter of Baldvin Bjornsson and Guðbjörg Sigridur Jónsdóttir) died 1941, Akra ND. Arni died 1933, Grand Forks, ND. vi Jón Arnason born FEB 20 1859 Emmigrated from Torfastaðir farm via Vopnafjörd aboard S. S. Camoens in 1887 to Granton Scotland. Sailed from Glasgow on S.S. Norwegian to arrive in Quebec on July 11, 1877. Married (1) Circa 1891, in Vancouver BC, Osk Larusdóttir, died JUL 04 1892, Victoria BC, married (2) MAY 26 1899, in Hensel, ND, Guðbjörg Sigríður Björnsdóttir, born AUG 16 1871, Holar, Hjaltadahl Skagajordhur, Iceland, (daughter of Björn Nikulásson and Guðbjörg Sigridur Jónsdóttir) died JUL 05 1950, Edmonton, Alta. Jon died OCT 31 1944, Elfros, Sask. Homesteaded on S.W. 24-32-12 W2 North of Foam Lake SK on Jan 23 1905. Land patented Dec 14 1908. vii Hallfríður Arnadóttir born SEP 02 1861, died DEC 06 1873. Was raised by Hallfridur Þorgrimsdottir. viii Jónathan Arnason born NOV 24 1862. Emigrated with mother. Married MAR 16 1889, in Vidalin Church, Akra, North Dakota, Ingibjorg Bjarnadóttir, Magnussonar, born MAY 19 1865, Dalasysla, Iceland, (daughter of Bjarni Stefansson and Steinunn Jonsdottir) died JUL 01 1938, Akra, ND. Jonathan died NOV 24 1951, Akra, ND. ix Hoseas Arnason born APR 28 1864, died young, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafjörður N.Múlasýslu. x Benjamin Arnason born OCT 30 1865. Emigrated with mother.

5. Guðmundur Þorgrímsson (1.Þorgrímur1) born JAN 29 1834, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, occupation Farmer, married SEP 27 1859, in Hof i Vopnafjörður N.Múlasýslu, Sigríður Jónsdóttir, born 1837, Sandfellshagi in Axarfjörður N.Þingeyjar, (daughter of Jon Petursson and Gudrun Einarsdóttir) died 1911, Þorvaldsstaðir, N.Múlasýsla. Guðmundur died NOV 07 1894, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafjörður

12 N.Múlasýslu. farmer at Leifsstaðir í Öxnarfjörður 1868-1888. Most of this family stayed in Iceland and produced a large number of descendents. Children: i Sigríður Guðmundsdóttir born NOV 29 1860, Hámundarstaðir in Vopnafjörður N-Mula. ii Þorgrímur Guðmundsson born MAR 26 1862, Sandfellshagi,Axarfjörður N.Þingeyjarsýs, married Þorbjörg Magnúsdóttir, born 1864, died N. America. Þorgrímur died 1889, N. America. Þorgrímur and Þorbjörg emigrated 1n 1888 from Akureyri aboard the S.S. Thyra. iii Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir born APR 27 1864, Sandfellshagi Axarfjörður N Þingeyjar, married JUL 05 1885, Sigfús Jónsson, born JUL 18 1865, Hermundarfell N.Þingeyjar, died APR 03 1928, Þórshöfn N.Þingeyjar. Guðrún died APR 03 1939, Þórshöfn N.Þingeyjar. iv Jón Guðmundsson born SEP 11 1866, Sandfellshagi Axarfjörður, died MAY 22 1882, Leifsstaðir Axarfjörður. v Hallfríður Guðmundsdóttir born MAR 28 1869, Leifstadir, Skinnastadir, N Thingeyjar, died N. America. Emigrated in 1893 from Vopnafjörður aboard the S.S. Lake Huron. vi Ólöf Guðmundsdóttir born MAR 28 1869, Leifstadir, Skinnastadir, N Thingeyjar, died AUG 11 1869, Leifsstaðir Axarfjörður. Twin of Hallfridur vii Guðvaldína Kristín Guðmundsdóttir born JUL 22 1871, Leifsstaðir Axarfjörður, married APR 17 1926, in Reykjavik, Kristinn Gíslason, born JUN 12 1882, Högnastaðir or Gröf in Hrunamannahreppu, occupation Carpenter, died AUG 27 1935, Reykjavík. Guðvaldína died JAN 26 1956, Reykjavík. viii Benjamín Guðmundsson born SEP 19 1873, Leifsstaðir Axarfjörður, married Valfríður Gottskálksdóttir, born MAR 26 1881, died FEB 26 1951, Reykjavík. Benjamín died FEB 02 1924. Benjamín was the last member of the family to live at Hámundarstaðir where he was working as a farmhand in 1898. He and Valfríður emigrated in 1911 but returned to Iceland. ix Einar Guðmundsson born OCT 01 1874, Leifstadir, Skinnastadir, N Thingeyjar, married Jónína Guðrún Stefánsdóttir, born JUL 13 1872, died SEP 20 1955. Einar died NOV 28 1941(?). x Ólöf Guðmundsdóttir born FEB 19 1878, Leifstadir, Skinnastadir, N Thingeyjar, married Gunnlaugur Kristjánsson, born SEP 16 1884, died 1929. Ólöf died 1940.

6. Jónatan Þorgrimson (1.Þorgrímur1) born AUG 17 1840, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married AUG 01 1863, in Hof i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, Guðný Jóhannesdóttir, born 1843, Hjaltastaðaþinghá. Jónatan and Gudny farmed at Hámundarstaðir 1863-1874. Children: i Þorgrímur Jónatansson born OCT 19 1865, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married Margret, born MAY 29 1879, Vikiloni, died OCT 07 1951. Þorgrímur died NOV 07 1924. He was the last member of the family to farm at Hámundarstaðir 1891-1895. ii Kristin Sigríður Jónatansdóttir born JUL 31 1867, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. iii Árni Jónatansson born NOV 04 1869, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. iv Þorbjörg Jónatansdóttir born DEC 08 1871, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married (1) Friðrik and had son Stefan, married (2) Guðmundur Methusalemsson, born OCT 30 1874, died JAN 26 1908 and had son Friðrik and daughter G. Sigurlang..

7. Hallfriður Þorgrimsdóttir (1.Þorgrímur1) born DEC 02 1842, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married SEP 27 1859, in Skinnastadir, Nordur Thingeyjar, Iceland, Einar Jónsson, born NOV 22 1831, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar, (son of Jon Petursson and Gudrun Einarsdóttir) died APR 11 1914. Hallfridur died 1896. Einar Jónsson and Hallfriður farmed at Sandfellshaga from 1861 to 1874 then moved to Hámundarstaðir. They emigrated to America on the S.S. Thyra from Seydisfjordur in 1892 with their two surviving daughters, Stefania and Gudvaldina. Children: i Jonina Guðrún Einarsdóttir born APR 04 1862, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar, died MAY 29 1863. ii Jonina Þórbjorg Einarsdóttir born APR 13 1867, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N- Thingeyjar, died MAR 06 1869, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar.

13 iii Sigríður Einarsdóttir born OCT 26 1869, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar, died JUL 06 1873, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar. iv Stefania Einarsdóttir born AUG 21 1872, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar. v Kristin Einarsdóttir born JUL 06 1875, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died JUL 21 1877, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. vi Gudvaldina Einarsdóttir born OCT 16 1878, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died DEC 07 1882, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. vii Kristjan Einarsson born MAY 02 1881, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, died AUG 09 1881, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. viii Gudvaldina Einarsdóttir born JUN 02 1883, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu.

8. Benjamin Þorgrimson (1.Þorgrímur1) born DEC 24 1844, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, occupation Farmer, married (1) SEP 18 1874, in Skeggjastadir, Nordur Mula, Gunnhildur Magnusdóttir Strand, born APR 25 1852, Thorvaldstadir, Skeggjastadir N-Mula, (daughter of Magnus Thorsteinsson and Gudrun Jonsdottir) died MAY 19 1889, Minneota MN, married (2) 1894, Sigurbjorg Vilhjalmsdóttir Williams, born JAN 14 1851, Ljosalandi Vopnafirdi, died DEC 25 1946. Benjamin died MAR 18 1918, Minneota MN. Farmed at Djupalaek. Emigrated to America in 1879 with all his family aboard the S.S. Camoens from Vopnafjörður on July 1, 1879. They arrived in Quebec on July 18 aboard the S.S. Waldensian. Entered homestead on 5, 6 of Section 2 112N 45W 5 in Lincoln County MN in 1880 Patented 04/28/1888. (See Saga Islandinga Ei Vesturheimi, Trygtvi J. Oleson, Reykjavik, 1953, pp 372-373 for their life in Lincoln County MN). Children by Gunnhildur Magnusdóttir Strand: i Einar Benjaminsson born 1874, died Before 1918. ii Magnus Benjaminsson born APR 19 1875, Djupalaekur, Skeggjastadir, Nordur Mula, died After 1962. iii Jon Þorgrímur Benjaminsson born FEB 15 1876, Djupalaekur, Skeggjastadir, Nordur Mula, died 1947-1962. iv Jonatan Benjaminsson born JUN 19 1878, Djupalaekur, Skeggjastadir, Nordur Mula, died Before 1918. v Kristin (Christine) Thorgrimson died 1918-1924. vi Gudrun Thorgrimson born 1882/1883, died 1898/1899, Icelandic Lutheran, Lincoln County ND. vii Carl Julius Thorgrimson born JUL 03 1884, Limestone, Lincoln County MN, married 1922, in Minneapolis MN, Mabel Haugen. Carl died JUL 23 1924, General Hospital, Minneapolis MN. viii Arni Thorgrimson born NOV 11 1882, Lincoln County MN, occupation Farmer, died AUG 24 1962, Borg Pioneer Home, Mountain ND. ix Petur Thorgrimson died 1947-1962. x Leslie Thorgrimson died After 1947. Youngest because his mother died in childbirth. Brought up by someone in Minneota district. Got a good position in Washington D.C. later.

9. Kristin Þorgrimsdóttir (1.Þorgrímur1) born NOV 08 1847, Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi n-Mulasyslu, married 1868, in Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi n-Mulasyslu, Guðvaldur Jónsson, born OCT 04 1841, Sandfellshaga, (son of Jon Petursson and Gudrun Einarsdóttir) occupation Farmer, died MAR 13 1926, Elfros, SK. Kristin died OCT 23 1933, Elfros SK. They emigrated to North Dakota in 1888 with their family and many relatives. They left from Vopnafjörður on the S.S. Copeland in 1888. Homesteaded in 1889 in Akra ND. Moved to Roseau Minnesota in 1899. Sons Gudjon and Eymunder filed homesteads. Moved to homestead in Elfros SK in 1907. Brought up Arni Arnason and Gudvaldina Einarsdottir. Kristin and sister Hallfridur married brothers Gudvaldur and Einar. Children: i Sigríður Guðvaldsdóttir born NOV 01 1868, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, married Jón Hallgrimsson, born OCT 25 1857, Vakursstodum Vopnafirdi, (son of Hallgrimur Sigurdsson and Gudrun Jonsdottir) occupation Farmer, died 1921, Minneota MN. Sigríður died FEB 07 1950, Roseau Minn. Emigrated to America in 1903 ii Hallfríður Guðvaldsdóttir born MAY 03 1871, died 1880.

14 iii Guðjón Jackson born JUN 10 1872, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, occupation Businessman, married (1) Helena Grovum, married (2) Kristjana Bjarnisdóttir. Guðjón died Iowa. iv Sigurveig Jackson born FEB 04 1875, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, occupation Postmistress, died OCT 1961, Elfros SK. v Hallfridur Gudvaldsdóttir born 1876, died 1876. Note: Already have a child by this name allegedly alive. vi Einar Gudvaldsson born NOV 13 1876, died 1876. vii Eymundur (Ed) Jackson born JUN 19 1878, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, occupation Farmer, married NOV 15 1911, in Elfros SK, Sigridur (Emma) Sumarlidason, born AUG 06 1890, Glenboro MB, (daughter of Eirikur Sumarlidason and Thorbjorg Jonina Jonsdottir) died SEP 23 1944, Elfros SK. Eymundur died OCT 31 1922, Elfros SK. viii Bjorg Jackson born 1881, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, married Svein Bjornsson, born 1877, occupation Lawyer. ix Stefania Hallfridur (Freda) Jackson born AUG 25 1882, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, married William Vance. x Elin Jackson born 1885, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, occupation Postmaster, married Harald Bjornson Einarson, born 1875, occupation Storekeeper, died 1932, Elfros SK. Elin died C 1938. Harald: History of Icelanders in ND implies that surname is Bjornson and his father's name is Einarson. xi Sigthrudur (Thruda) Jackson born JAN 19 1887, Hámundarstöðum í Vopnafirði, married AUG 31 1919, in Elfros SK, Jon (John) Hallgrimur Goodmundson, born NOV 22 1877, Gimli MB, died DEC 01 1942, Elfros SK. Sigthrudur died APR 30 1989, Stratford ON. xii Kristin Gisladóttir*. Fosterchild

10. Guðrún Þorgrímsdóttir (1.Þorgrímur1) born SEP 12 1833, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, married (1) JUN 17 1852, in Hofteigur i Jokuldal, Nordur Mulasyslu, Ófeigur Jónsson, born JUN 15 1827, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múlas., (son of Jon Ingumundsson and Valgerdur Gunnlaugsdottir) occupation Farmer, died Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múlas., married (2) Grimur Einarsson, born MAR 15 1830, Ytra Lóni á Langanesi, occupation Farmer, died AUG 31 1907, Gardar, Pembina ND. Guðrún died NOV 14 1882, Gardar ND. She and Grimur farmed at Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múlas and at Hákonarstöðum. She and Grimur and their son Einar emigrated to Gimli MB in 1876 from Seydisfjörður on the S.S. Verona. In 1880 they moved to SNW20 and NSW20 of Tp 159N Rg 56W in Gardar, Pembina, ND. Both farms were named Grimsstaðir. Her husband Grimur remarried and had more children. 11. Children by Ófeigur Jónsson: i Ingegerdur Ófeigursdóttir born JAN 01 1852, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla, married (1) Thorsteinn Gudmundsson, married (2) OCT 07 1876, in Hof I Vopnafirdi, Nordur-Mulasysla, Thorsteinn Nikulasson Hygaard, born 1855. Emigrated from Helgafell farm via Vopnafjord on the S.S. Camoens in 1882 with husband Thorsteinn Nikulasson Hygaard and children Thorstein, Nikulas, Ofeigur, and Jonina. They settled in Gardar ND and later moved to Selkirk MB. ii Kristin Hallfridur Ófeigursdóttir born NOV 13 1853, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla, married OCT 14 1876, in Hof I Vopnafirdi, Nordur-Mulasysla, Sigurdur Sigurdsson, born 1843. Emigrated in 1878 from Vopnafjordur on the S.S. Queen bound for Quebec. Was at Asbrandstadir. No children at this time. iii Jon Ófeigursson born SEP 21 1855, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla. iv Ingibjörg Ófeigursdóttir born OCT 27 1856, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla, married DEC 07 1883, in Manitoba, Guðmundur Finnsson, born NOV 27 1853, að Klettsbúð í Keflavík í Snæf, died MAY 21 1922, Selkirk MB. Ingibjörg died DEC 22 1934, Selkirk MB. Emigrated 1876 from Strandhofn farm through Seydisfjordur on the S.S. Verona to Quebec. She traveled with her mother and Grimur Einarsson. v Thorgrimur Ófeigurson born JUL 12 1859, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla, died APR 27 1861, Klausturseli á Jökuldal í N-Múla. Children by Grimur Einarsson:

15 vi Einar Grímsson Einarsson Scheving born SEP 1873, Iceland, occupation Farmer, married Guðrún Björnsdóttir, born 1863. He emigrated with his parents in 1876. He moved to Ethridge (now Shelby) Montana where he farmed until 1928. He had no children.

Sandfellshagi Jón Pétursson and his wife Guðrún Einarsdóttir began farming at Sandfellshagi in 1835. Until 1837 they lived there with another farmer and then had the place to themselves. Jón was considered very well off and was nicknamed “Jón Ríki (The Rich)”. The known ancestors of the family are:

16 Jón and Guðrún had the following children. Note that three of them―Eínar, Sigríður, and Gudvalður―married children of Þorgrímur Pétursson and Sigriður Arnadóttir Scheving from Hámundarstaðir in Vopnafjörður N..Múlasýslu. These couples occupied the farm at various times and moved to and from Hámundarstaðir.

I. Boy Jónsson born AUG 17 1830, Skinnastadir, Nordur-Thingeyjarsysla. This child probably died at birth since it was not given a name.

II. Eínar Jónsson born NOV 22 1831, Sandfellshaga, Skinnastadir N-Thingeyjar, married SEP 27 1859, in Skinnastadir, Nordur Thingeyjar, Iceland, Hallfridur Thorgrimsdóttir, born DEC 02 1842, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, (daughter of Þorgrímur Pétursson and Sigridur Arnadóttir Scheving) died 1896. Einar died APR 11 1914. Einar, Hallfridur, and their daughters Stefania and Gudvaldina emigrated to America in 1892 from Seydisfjordur on the S.S. Thyra. They spent part of a year around Minneota in Lincoln County MN. They then homesteaded on NW 21 Township 161N Range 55W in Akra Township North Dakota. After four years Hallfridur died. Einar and Gudvaldina moved in with Einar’s brother Gudvaldur and his wife Kristin. They followed Gudvaldur and Kristin to Roseau MN and then to Elfros Saskatchewan. Einar obtained a homestead patent in Saskatchewan on SW 33 Tp 32 Rg 12 W 2nd near Foam Lake on May 8, 1913. By that time, 50 acres had been broken and 33 acres were planted. Since he was blind and living with Gudvaldur, the farm was probably operated by Gudvaldur or one of his sons. After Einar died, Gudvaldina lived with Gudvaldur’s daughters.

III. Ólöf Jónsdóttir born 1832. She lived at Sandfellshagi for a long time and did not marry or have children.

IV. Guðrún Jónsdóttir born 1834, died Young.

V. Sigríður Jónsdóttir born 1836, Sandfellshagi in Axarfjörður N.Þingeyjar, married SEP 27 1859, in Hof i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, Guðmundur Þorgrímsson, born JAN 29 1834, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu, (son of Þorgrímur Pétursson and Sigridur Arnadóttir Scheving) occupation Farmer, died NOV 07 1894, Hámundarstaðir i Vopnafirði N.Múlasýslu. Sigríður died 1911, Þorvaldsstaðir, N.Múlasýsla. This branch stayed in Iceland and did not emigrate.

VI. Hallný Jónsdóttir born OCT 07 1838, Skinnastadir, Nordur-Thingeyjarsysla.

VII. Guðvaldur Jónsson born OCT 04 1841, Sandfellshagi, occupation Farmer, married 1868, in Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi n-Mulasyslu, Kristin Thorgrimsdóttir, born NOV 08 1847, Hamundarstodum Vopnafirdi n-Mulasyslu, (daughter of Þorgrímur Pétursson and Sigridur Arnadóttir Scheving) died OCT 23 1933, Elfros SK. Gudvaldur died MAR 13 1926, Elfros, SK. They emigrated to North Dakota in 1888 with their family and many relatives. They left from Vopnafjordur on the S.S. Copeland in 1888. Homesteaded in 1889 in Akra ND. Moved to Roseau Minnesota in 1899. Sons Gudjon and Eymunder filed homesteads. Moved to homestead in Elfros SK in 1907. Brought up Gudvaldina Einarsdottir as a fosterchild.

VIII.Guðjon Jónsson born ABT. 1848, Asbrandsstadir, Iceland, married Gudriður Sigurdardóttir, born ABT. 1850. They emigrated with four children in 1889 leaving Seydisfjordur aboard the S.S. Magnetic bound for Winnipeg MB.

Inter-relationships Between Hámundarstaðir and Sandfellshagi The following timeline shows the links between the families at Hámundarstaðir and Sandfellshagi as marriages, deaths, and emigration caused people to move. Various farmhands and foster children have not been shown to reduce the complexity of the figure.

17 Occupants of Farms

Hamundarstað ir I

Þorgrímur Pétursson Sigriður Árnadóttir Pétur Þorgrímsson Sigþruður Þorgrímsdóttir Árni Þorgrímsson Guðmundur Þorgrímsson Jónatan Þorgrímsson Hallfriður Þorgrímsdóttir To America Benjamín Þorgrímsson Kristín Þorgrímsdóttir To America Guðvaldur Jónsson Jón Þorgrímsson

Hamundarstað ir II

Benjamín Þorgrímsson

Árni Þorgrímsson Þórunn Jónsdóttir Jonathan Arnason To Fremri-Nypur Benjamin Arnason Jón Arnason To Torfastaðir Arni Arnason

Sandfellshagi Jón Pétursson Guðrún Eí narsdóttir Ólöf Jónsdóttir Hallfriður Þorgrímsdóttir Eínar Jónsson Arni Arnason (foster) Sigríður Jónsdóttir To Leifsstað ir Hallný Jónsdóttir Guðvaldur Jónsson Guðjon Jónsson

18 Conditions 1870-1900 Iceland had many difficulties during this period. The population was more than the land could carry. Danes, who had a monopoly on trade, dominated the economy. The Askja volcano erupted in 1875. The climate was going through a mini ice age. Education, a much-prized service, was costly. Emigration to America was regularly discussed.

Population

Year Population 1703 50,444 1801 47,240 1880 72,445 1890 70,929

The population grew during the 1800s and began to exceed the carrying capacity of the meager grazing land available for raising livestock. There was a smallpox epidemic around 1704 that killed 18,000 people. It took most of the century to regain the population. Population grew by over 50 percent by 1880 and led to widespread poverty which was exacerbated by bad weather that led to failed hay crops and decimated sheep herds. The population dropped after 1880 mainly because of emigration.

Economy Commodity Unit Price The main source of income was the sale of sheep, horses, and fish. (Crowns Typical prices for export commodities in 1879 in crowns (3.85 crowns ) per dollar) are shown in the adjacent table. Horse each 40-60 Sheep each 18-22 A farm laborer in Iceland could earn 40 to 60 crowns per year. A White Wool pound 0.70 female servant earned 16 to 25 crowns per year. At this time American Colored wool pound 0.50 wages for farm help varied from $2.00 per day during harvest to $0.50 Tallow pound 0.30 per day during the least busy season. This income difference provided Feathers pound 0.85 a powerful incentive to emigrate. Eiderdown pound 19 Hard Fish each 0.20 Volcanic Activity Cod Liver Oil pint 0.28 Iceland sits astride a rift in the mid-Atlantic. As North America pulls away from Europe, the Atlantic splits down the middle along the Atlantic Ridge. Volcanoes and lava flows form at this split. Most are below the ocean surface. However, about 3.5 million years ago they rose above the surface in Iceland. The split goes roughly down the middle of the island as shown in the accompanying map. In late 1874 and early 1875 Mount Askja erupted. The largest blast on the second day of Easter 1875 darkened the sky as dark as midnight. The wind blew the ash plume

19 Eastward leaving a 2 inch layer of ash. Hákonarstaðir was in the middle of it. The ash ruined grazing meadows for years.

Climate Iceland went through a mini Ice Age between 1875 and 1895. The gulf current apparently shifted to the South and allowed drift ice from the North to invade the fjords. This increased the snowfall, delayed the spring melt, and severely reduced the amount of hay that could be grown to feed livestock. Ships could not enter the ice-blocked fjords or were trapped and damaged by the ice pack. The photograph of Vopnafjörður harbor shows snow is still on the hills in the background. It would normally melt Vopnafjörður harbor August 14 1881 with S.S. Camoens in the center. by the end of June. Emigration was not a steady stream, but tended to be an immediate response to economic hardship as shown in the chart of annual migration below. For instance, the peak in 1887 coincided with a particularly harsh winter and late spring with massive losses of livestock and poor prospects for any hay crop during the shortened summer. The peak in 1876 was the year after the great eruption of Mount Askja.

20 Education Icelanders have always had a great respect for education. The country has virtually 100 percent literacy. Every child was taught to read in the home. If necessary, a tutor was sometimes hired to instruct the children. A woman who could not read had very poor prospects of ever getting married. It was common for a member of the family, often the father, to read sagas, newspapers, or other publications aloud in the evening while everyone did their chores, such as mending or carding and spinning wool. The readings were often drawn from an extensive personal library in the home. The concept of free public schools in America held a certain appeal for people that wanted to ensure the best education for their children.

Debates about Emigration There were extensive debates in the Icelandic papers about the merits of emigration. The early emigrants wrote glowing letters about free land, abundant pasture for livestock, comparatively good wages, and boundless opportunities. The establishment of merchants, clergy, officials, and others who depended on a large population and cheap labor for their positions tried to counter these claims. They argued that high costs matched the high wages, Icelanders were never meant to till the soil, that it would be difficult to exist where Icelandic was not spoken, that there were many perils awaiting, and that it was unpatriotic to leave the motherland. In the end, about 15,000 people emigrated during the period from 1870 to 1914. One suspects that letters from Gunnlaugur Pétursson, the first member of the family to Poster in Norwegian offering 160 acres emigrate, may have been influential in persuading other of free land to each settler. members of the family to follow. The Canadian government printed posters in many languages that advertised 160 acres of free land to each settler with 200 million acres available in Western Canada. This offer was probably the most influential factor of all.

21 A Typical Emigration Voyage

There were no direct routes to North America. The most common route was to take a boat to Granton or Leith Harbour at Edinburgh, take a train to Glasgow, take a transatlantic steamer to Quebec City, and take a train to Winnipeg. It was sometimes also possible to go from Iceland to Norway and then take a transatlantic steamer to New York. Most emigrants, particularly in the later years, booked the entire journey with an agent. They purchased their passage and signed a contract like the blank one illustrated on the next page. The contract typically was Icelandic on one side and English on the other. Normally, only the Icelandic side was filled out.

22 Iceland to Scotland Prior to the emigration boom that began in the 1870s, the need for passenger accommodations was very limited. Boats carried freight, such as sheep and horses, to England or the Scandinavian countries. These boats were pressed into passenger service, sometimes with very little conversion. Conditions were so bad on some that passengers refused to board. The trip to Scotland usually took about three days. However, the trip around Iceland to pick up passengers could be very long. During the emigration years, ice was a common hazard. There are many stories about ships that could not load because of drift ice blocking the harbor or vessels that were trapped by pack ice and could not get out to sea. The ships were constructed of iron and powered by steam. They were usually smaller ships sailing out of ports in Great Britain. Most were older boats that S.S. Camoens adrift and damaged by ice in probably had a hard time competing on more popular Hunafloi Bay in 1883. routes. The table below shows the characteristics of most of the ships used by emigrants in this saga.

23 Ship Characteristics from Lloyd’s Register of Steam Ships Name Net Tons Dimensions (feet) Horse Built Port of Length Breadth Depth power Registry Camoens 671 249.3 29.3 16.9 170 1871 Leith Copeland 495 225.3 29.3 15.5 150 1874 Glasgow Lake Huron 4040 385.5 42.8 24.3 500 1881 Liverpool Magnetic 299 210.1 27.1 14.4 150 1863 Belfast Miaca 306 160.0 21.1 18.5 75 1866 Ayr Thyra 444 210.3 28.2 14.9 90 1866 Copenhagen Verona 632 253.6 31.5 16.0 150 1865 Leith

Emigrants onboard S.S. Camoens leaving Vopnafjörður

Train to Glasgow The distance between Edinburgh and Glasgow is only about 75 km. The travelers had never seen trains before, since there were none in Iceland. They were amazed at their size, speed, and noise. The big Clydesdale horses in Scotland also amazed them. The Icelandic ponies are only about 125 cm high at the shoulder and weigh 400 kg compared to 170 cm and 900 kg for the Clydesdale. Since the Vikings settled Iceland, this pony has been used to carry cargo, pull carts, ride, and for meat. Because the Icelandic pony can be raised outside during the Icelandic winter while cattle cannot, horsemeat has been a staple of the local diet for centuries.

24 Engraving of Granton dock near Edinburgh, Scotland around 1881.

Glasgow Steamboat Quay around 1885.

25 The following description of the train trip from Granton Harbour to the ship at Glasgow is taken from an account of a trip by Guðmundur Stefánsson in 1873. “We were left to wait there by our luggage until we were told that a steam engine had arrived to take us to Glasgow. That was the first time I saw a steam engine. It is no easy task to describe this gigantic monster, which kills everything that gets in its way. It glistens beautifully, all made of iron with a funnel poking up from it for the steam. Behind the funnel was another pipe, much narrower, with a string attached. When the string is pulled, the pipe lets out a terrifying hoot that can be heard miles away. Anyone who has not heard it before is scared out of his wits. This hoot means "look out" and if the warning is not heeded, the creature that does not obey is death's prey. Behind the engine comes the coal wagon, then the luggage cars, which are full of goods and possessions belonging to emigrants. Then come the passenger carriages, which are very long. Here I can describe their width: along the length of the carriage is a passage wide enough for one person. On both sides of it are seats, like those in churches, wide enough for two. The carriages are about two meters high, with paneled ceilings and floors, and the finest of them are all painted and have padded seating. There are large glass windows, one after another on both sides of the carriage, so one can see everything outside and have the windows open if it is hot. There is a toilet in each carriage and a water container to drink from if one is thirsty. Then all these carriages are joined together, one after another, possibly 20 to 30 in all. It is such a long train that it seems incredible to one who has not seen it with his own eyes that the steam engine could pull this whole train along, with such power, that it only takes an hour to cover the distance a man on horseback would cover in a day. Now this would all be fine if it weren't for the danger involved. We were then told to hurry up on board. ... The train headed for Edinburgh, where there was another long wait. We got off the train and walked around the town a little with Lambertsen (the Allan Line agent). Then we set off again and for a while we traveled underground in pitch darkness, then came out into daylight again. The view of the countryside was beautiful: attractive fields and bushes made a pretty scene that flew past as the train tore on ahead. In a short while we were told to get off the train as we had arrived in Glasgow. The street lamps had been lit. It was a long walk to the inn where we were to stay. ... We were followed by an enormous crowd of locals. Never before have I seen so many people gathered in one place. There were all sorts of ruffians who made fun of us and generally misbehaved, sometimes trying to break up our ranks but we showed them our tempers and they backed off. At last we reached the inn building where we were counted like sheep as we entered. Here we were fed and had a bed for the night. ... We stayed here all day. ... I did not wander far; there are many traps, treachery and stealing. The horses here are the biggest I have ever seen. They tower over me, though you will not believe it. ... The next morning we were to go on board the ship that would transport us across the Atlantic. We had to walk almost as far as we had done the day we arrived in Glasgow. At last we reached the ship that lay beside the pier so we only had to step on board. It was an enormous ship, named Manitoban, and made entirely of iron, except for occasional structures inside. There were so many people of all nationalities, who were on their way to America: Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, Scotsmen, English, Germans, French; we were all to be fellow passengers. We were told to go below deck and make ourselves comfortable. We Icelanders were all together in one room. It was tolerable, though rather cramped. An hour later we were ordered up on deck to be counted and have our tickets examined. Then we were ordered back down again. We were 720 passengers in all. Along the sides of the ship were toilets, one side for men, the other for women; each toilet had space for seven at once, and everything fell straight down into the sea.”

The emigrants usually traveled in a group and were accompanied by a representative of the shipping line to provide directions and translation services. If they were travelling alone, the emigrants probably encountered The Emigration Agent on the dock. These agents were paid a commission for each emigrant they recruited for the shipping lines. As a result they acquired the same dubious reputation as Florida real estate sellers and used car salesmen. Their reputation was so bad that Norway required that emigrants register with the local Chief of Police so they could be warned about them.

26 Glasgow to Quebec City Most immigrants to Canada sailed to Quebec City on the Allan Line. It started as the Montreal Ocean Steamship Company in 1854. The company was later known as the Allan Line after one of its founders, Hugh Allan. It was merged with the Canadian Pacific Line in 1915. The red, white, and blue flag and the black, white, and red stripes on the funnels easily identified the Allan Line ships. The following table describes some of the Allan Line ships used by people described in this account.

Vessel Years in Service Tons Buenos Ayrean 1880 - 1914 The first schooner of steel (not iron) on the North Atlantic thus 2,560 enabling it to be lighter than the other ships in the fleet. The ship was 385.2 ft long x 42.2 ft beam with a 500 horsepower two cylinder engine. It was constructed in 1879 and had two steel decks and an awning deck. Used on the Glasgow to Canada service. Scrapped at Falmouth in 1911. Norwegian 1884 - 1903 The second "City of New York" was a 2,642 gross ton ship 3,523 (formerly built by Tod & MacGregor, Glasgow in 1865. Length 321ft x beam 39.6ft, Delaware, clipper stem, one funnel, three masts (rigged for sail), iron construction, formerly City of single screw and a speed of 12 knots. In 1871 she was rebuilt to a length New York) of 375.2ft and 3,523 gross tons. Purchased from Inman Line in1884 and was renamed "Norwegian". Fitted with new compound 350 horsepower engines, she commenced Glasgow - Quebec - Montreal sailings on 12/6/1884. Scrapped in Holland 1903. Phoenician The Phoenician, of the Allan Line, arrived at Quebec July 10, 1874. 1,484 (formerly St. It was lengthened from 272 feet to 335 feet and renamed. It had a David) capacity of 350 passengers. It was refitted in 1888 and removed from the Liverpool and Glasgow service to South American service. Waldensian 1873 - 1903 She was built in 1861 as the "St Andrew" and lengthened in 1,407 (formerly St. 1873 to 322.5 ft with a beam of 33.9 ft with a 250 HP engine and renamed Andrew) "Waldensian". She had a capacity of 450 passengers. She sailed to Quebec and Montreal as the "St Andrew" and to Portland 1874-1880, Halifax and Boston until re-engined in 1888. Made last North Atlantic voyage Glasgow-Halifax-Philadelphia 16th April 1891 and then on the South America run until scrapped in 1903.

Ships sailed weekly leaving Glasgow every Tuesday with a stop at Dublin to pick up passengers. The passage across the Atlantic carrying mail from Londonderry Ireland to Rimouski Quebec took about seven and a half days. The complete trip from Glasgow to Quebec took eleven days. The most expensive accommodations in Saloon class cost £18. Intermediate fare was £8 8 shillings. Steerage class, which was used by all the immigrants, cost £6 6 shillings. Children between one and eight years sailed at half fare. Under one year old cost £1 1shilling. (Allan Line Illustrated Tourists' Guide to Canada and the United States (c1880) at

Steerage beds on S.S. Aquitania, 1914.

27 http://www.ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/allantour.html) This was a significant sum for an Icelandic laboring man who earned 40 to 60 crowns per year (18.75 crowns = 5 US dollars = 1 British £) or a woman who earned 16 to 25 crowns per year. (Sveinbjorn Johnson, The Icelandic Settlement of Pembina County, 1906). Adult passengers were each allowed 10 cubic feet of luggage with 5 cubic feet for each child paying half fare. Steerage passengers had to provide their own bedding and their own plate, mug, knife, fork, spoon, and water-can. Their luggage was stowed in the ship’s hold during the voyage, so they did not have access to it. Each steamer had a surgeon on board and steerage stewardesses to attend to the wants of female passengers and children during the voyage. Passengers were supplied with as much food as they could eat in the steerage lounge. The bill of fare for steerage passengers was filling, but not luxurious.

Bill of Fare Breakfast at Eight o’clock Coffee, Sugar, and Fresh Bread; or Biscuit and Butter; or Oatmeal Porridge and Molasses. Dinner at One o’clock Beef or Pork and Soup, Bread, and Potatoes or Fish and Potatoes. Pudding added on Sunday.

Supper at Six o’clock Tea, Sugar, and Biscuit and Butter

Steerage dinner aboard an immigrant ship. From the Illustrated London News

The wharf at Quebec is right beside the railway station. The Allan Line transferred their baggage free to the railway trains. The Allan Lines agent superintends the transference and “protects passengers from the intrigues of designing lodging- housekeepers and others, who are ready to take advantage of the newly arrived emigrant.” (Practical Hints and Directions to Intending Emigrants to Canada and United S.S. Parisian approaching Chateau Frontenac in Quebec States, 1872)

Quebec to Homestead Before the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Winnipeg in 1877, the trip to the West was difficult. When the CPR was available, it was a relatively simple trip to get on the train at Quebec and get off at Winnipeg. The trip nevertheless involved spending four days sitting on hard seats watching the seemingly endless expanse of Canada go past their windows. Northern Ontario alone is about twice the width of all Iceland. At least it resembled the craggy mountainous relief of their homeland, but with many trees. Once they got into Manitoba, the land turned very flat and they surely began to wonder what they were letting themselves in for. Winnipeg was then the “Gateway to the West”. It was thriving as an entry point to the Western Prairies. Before the railway came, it was the hub of riverboat traffic up and down the Red River. Boats carried freight from railroads in

28 the United States. They also traveled north to connect with Hudson Bay and with the Saskatchewan River system. After the railway came, the steamers disappeared, but Winnipeg became a major distribution center. Settlers bound for New Iceland in Gimli went by steamer. Settlers going to Pembina County in North Dakota may have used steamers or a railroad later. Some walked to save the rail fare.

CPR Passenger car for settlers Settler Train at Rivers Manitoba

First CPR locomotive

Winnipeg Main Street, 1879.

29 Icelandic Settlements in America Icelanders settled in various places depending on when they came. The first went to Ontario at Kinmount and other northern towns. Some also went to the ill-fated Markland settlement in Nova Scotia. The next groups in 1875 to 1877 went to Minnesota or to New Iceland in Gimli Manitoba. By 1878 Pembina County in North Dakota opened up and became the preferred destination. After 1900, western Manitoba and Saskatchewan opened up. Many settlers moved from one of these settlements to the next, as apparently better land became available.

Kinmount Ontario

Icelandic Settlements in America with Date of First Settlement. Data from Tracing Your Icelandic Family Tree by Eric Jonasson, 1975. Sigtryggur Jonasson, the first Icelandic immigrant arrived in Quebec City on September 12 1872. With his encouragement, about 150 more arrived in 1873. The Canadian government gave them free transportation to Ontario and offered them free land. They selected Rosseau in the Muskoka district as their site. The government also promised employment until the land was cleared. However, the settlers did not find it adequate and most of them soon left. A second group arrived in 1874 to settle in the Kinmount area of Ontario north of Peterborough. A Nova Scotia immigration officer induced some of them to relocate to Markland Nova Scotia, near Halifax. However, the land was not arable so they moved to other areas. The Kinmount group arrived in the late fall and were housed in crowded log shanties along the Burnt River below Kinmount. The shanties had been prepared for men who were expected to work on the railway that was being built. They were not suitable for the families with children that arrived instead. The men worked on the railway, cleared forest, and worked in the sawmills. When the railway went bankrupt in the spring of 1875, they were unemployed and faced starvation. Some settled in the area. Many were moved at government expense to the new colony of New Iceland at Gimli Manitoba.

New Iceland at Gimli Manitoba The Icelandic immigrants coming in 1874 wanted to establish a community of Icelanders in which they could function in their own language under their own laws. Gimli was outside the borders of the province of Manitoba at that time. They had an understanding that they would have some degree of independence at Gimli similar to that of a province. The area was attractive because it had timber for building houses, had a lake with abundant fish, and had an area large enough to build an independent community. Unfortunately, the timber made it almost impossible to clear the land for crops or grazing, they did not know how to fish through the ice in winter, and the fish were too

30 far from the market in Winnipeg. In addition, a smallpox epidemic wiped out a third of the settlers during the second year of settlement. Many of the settlers then left for apparently better prospects in Pembina County, ND.

Minneota Minnesota While Gimli was being settled in Canada, other Icelanders came to Shawano County in Wisconsin in 1873. This also proved to be an infertile area. Many of the settlers took jobs with established Norwegian farmers to earn money and learn how to operate grain farms. They then moved to the area around Minneota in southwestern Minnesota. Gunnlaugur Petursson was the first settler in this area in 1875. Immigration slowed to a trickle by 1880 because all of the good land in the area had been taken by then. Another wave of immigration occurred around 1900 when Roseau County near the Canadian border openedfor settlement. This was relatively short-lived because the area was prone to flooding by the Red River.

Pembina County North Dakota Pembina County is in the northeast corner of North Dakota. Icelanders began to settle there in 1887. They congregated in Akra, Park, Thingvalla, and Gardar townships. They showed a marked preference for wooded land which would provide material for building a log house. On the other hand this land tended to be sandy and was hard to cultivate because the trees had to be removed first. The more experienced Norwegians to the south joked that the Icelanders had walked over better land to settle in poor farming land.

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan had better farmland than any of the earlier areas, but it was not opened for settlement until after about 1900. Many of the settlers who moved to Saskatchewan had already settled in Manitoba, Minnesota, or North Dakota. There were a number of Icelandic groups in Saskatchewan. One of the largest was at Foam Lake, about halfway between Saskatoon and the Manitoba border. Others were found around Thingvalla and Qu’appelle Valley. By 1900 a land rush was beginning.

Land Rush from a cartoon in Grip by J. W. Bengough