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A Report on the Icelandic Heritage Day
Not unexpectedly, Icelandic Heritage Day turned out to be a flop. One of the major intentions was to determine whether the home community had any interest in this work. The answer was unequivocal. There is practically no interest. In fact, the level of interest is about as close to zero as possible. Although anticipated, this almost total apathy is still somewhat disillusioning.
Perhaps most interesting was the lack of interest exhibited by the local institutions. The response to it clearly demonstrated that it was not newsworthy so there was no reason to expect that any local newspaper would be interested in it. And they weren't. But there were several institutions that one might think were duty bound to have some interest, but didn't. These include the Heritage Center at Icelandic State Park, the Pembina County Historical Society (which operates the Pembina County Historical Museum), and the people who operate the annual 2nd of August celebration, whose main purpose is supposed to be as a heritage event. Of course, with their total disrespect for both Icelandic heritage in general and The Dakota Icelanders Project in particular, I certainly didn't expect anyone from the Icelandic Communities Association (who currently control the celebration), and they definitely exceeded any expectations.
Fortunately, it wasn't entirely an exercise in futility. Merely preparing for it caused some badly needed and long overdue organization of material and the creation of some handy reference documents that had not previously been printed in any form. And, of course, those few people who did make the effort to participate were greatly appreciated.
The actual numbers are telling. There were more (3) from Manitou, Manitoba, and (2) Fargo, North Dakota, than from Mountain. There were also more from Minneapolis (3) and Bismarck (2). In fact, Mountain, where the event was held, would have had no attendees had it not been for the very few relatives who had been highly urged to stop by. There were a couple of visitors from north of Mountain, but generally the home community displayed an apathy that certainly demonstrated quite forcefully their attitude towards the work. But, thanks again to those who did attend.
For those who are curious about the work but were actually unable to attend (if any exist; if there actually are any, I haven't heard from them) the following is a brief summary of some of the items that were on display that the event.
The exhibit included two tables with reference books of all types, including such items as the 1816 and 1845 census of Iceland, community books from many locations, many standard references, and many that are very hard to find and seldom seen. The remaining five tables held samples of several forms of output of the project. A partial list includes:
Bound reference volumes specifically created or compiled for the project:
Pembina County Obituaries, 1943 to 1981 - both the bound volumes containing the obituaries and the index.
Borg Pioneer Memorial Home - a compilation of newspaper clippings from the time the home was formally conceived in 1948, through the construction, and up to the year 1979
Pembina County Memorial Hospital - a compilation of newspaper clippings from the time the hospital was formally conceived in 1945, through the construction, and up to the year 1980
1880 Census of Pembina County, Dakota Territory - a bound volume containing the complete census record.
1900 Census of Cavalier County, North Dakota (selected portions) - a bound volume containing a substantial amount of the original census record.
Pembina County Atlas and Directory, published about 1940 by the Walhalla Producers Creamery Company, 123 pages
A Reproduction of the 1904 Pink Paper Map of Pembina County, North Dakota - a map, whose existence was previously unknown, published for the first time in booklet form (39 pages).
1893 Township Plats of Pembina County
The Icelandic Homesteaders of Thingvalla Township - a 40 page booklet detailing some of the history of the community and a listing of all known homesteaders.
Community Books containing a listing of Icelandic families known to have settled in the township covering the first two generations, the settlement families and their children, identifying the pioneer settlers, their parents and location in Iceland, where they settled, and with a brief summary of information on the second generation.
A Summary of the Icelandic Settlers of Akra Township, 38 pages
A Summary of the Icelandic Settlers of Advance Township, 8 pages
A Summary of the Icelandic Settlers of Cavalier Township, 7 pages
A Summary of the Icelandic Settlers of Gardar Township, 55 pages
A Summary of the Icelandic Settlers of Park Township, 7 pages
Pamphlets
The 2nd of August - a six page pamphlet with a brief history of the 2nd of August celebration, newspaper accounts from 1905, 1906, 1907, 1926, 1927 and 1934 and images of an advertisement from 1931 and a poster from 1938.
1-6, The Brown District of Manitoba - a ten page pamphlet with a brief description of this extension of the Dakota Icelandic settlement including a list of the Icelandic settlers, an index to burials in Gudbrand's Cemetery and short discussion of the the relationship between the descendants of Arni Gislason and the settlers.
Vikur Church and Cemetery - miscellaneous information about the congregation, including a list of founders, the original members of the ladies aid, and a summary and index of information on the identified burials in Vikur Cemetery at Mountain.
The Little Salt Settlement at Cashel - notes on the history of one of the largely forgotten Icelandic settlements, this one halfways between Grafton and Drayton.
Random excerpts from The Year the Train Came, an upcoming book about the year 1908 - just what it says, plus an essay on the Icelanders of Edinburg, 10 pages, contents: Comments; The Icelanders of Edinburg; A few articles from 1907; Excerpts from January 1908; The Story of North Dakota; Canadian Prospects; The Busy Store Advertisement; Topography of Train Route; Excerpts from April 1908; Afterword
Documents
The Dakota Icelanders Project - project definition and goals
So what was his middle name anyways? - a discussion of the problems of identification created with the changing of the naming conventions, from the patronymics of Iceland to the generic surnames of America (this document is linked, just click on the title)
Why you won't see this work at the 2nd of August celebration - an explanation (this document is linked, just click on the title)
Genealogy
Samples of various forms of presenting genealogical information
Three Generation Charts - sample charts listing the descendants (children and grandchildren), together with a listing of family surnames, that were prepared for many families including
Albert Sigurbjörnsson Hanson and Sigríur Sigurardóttir of Thingvalla Township
Ásmundur Ásmundsson and Ósk Teitsdóttir of Thingvalla and East Alma Townships
Bjarni Olgeirsson and Gurún Ásmundsdóttir of Gardar Township
Björn Geirmundsson Austmann and Gurún Jónsdóttir ofAvon/Advance Township
Brynjólfur Brynjólfsson and Thórunn Ólafsdóttir of Beaulieu Township
Daníel Jónsson and Helga Eymundsdóttir
Dínus Jónsson and Kristjana María Andrésdóttir of Beaulieu Township
Fribjörn Björnsson and Anna Sigríur Árnadóttir of Thingvalla Township
Grímur Steinólfsson and Bjarngerur Thorsteinsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Gumundur Jóhannesson and Sigríur Aradóttir of Thingvalla Township
Grímur Thórarson and Solveig Ingibjörg Snæbjörnsdóttir of Gardar Township
Halldór Fririksson Reykjalín and Sigríur Jónsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Halldór Thorgilsson and Málfríur Tómasdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Halldór Vívatsson and Valgerur Magnúsdóttir of Advance Township
Indrii Sigursson and Sigurbjörg Kristjánsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Jóhann Pétur Hallsson and Ragnheiur Pálsdóttir of Beaulieu Township
Jóhannes Oddsson of Thingvalla Township and Guny Kristjánsdóttir
Jón Bergmann Gunason Bergmann and Sigurjóna Gurún Jóhannsdóttir of Gardar Township
Jón Jónsson and Thorgerur Jónatansdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Jón Jónsson Mjóadal and Sigurbjörg Stefánsdóttir of Gardar Township
Kristján Gumundsson and Ragnhildur Kristín Bjarnadóttir of Thingvalla Township
Kristján Gunnlaugur Kristjánsson and Svanfríur Jónsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Sigfús Jónasson Bergmann and Thórunn Jónsdóttir of Gardar Township
Sigfús Jónsson and Ingibjörg Árnadóttir of Thingvalla Township
Stefán Jónsson and Gurún Ólafsdóttir of Cavalier Township
Sveinn Sveinsson and Gurún Símonardóttir of Thingvalla and Akra Townships
Teitur Teitsson and Anna Stefánsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Thorfinnur Jóhannesson and Elísabet Pétursdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Thorlákur Gunnar Jónsson and Henríetta Lovísa Níelsdóttir of Thingvalla Township
Thorsteinn Jónsson Gauti of Avon/Advance Township
And, of course, those who attended were given access to the genealogy database where they could view their ancestry and links to relatives in a manner not usually available.
Thanks to Bjornson-Sigfusson Post #227 of the American Legion at Mountain for the use of the hall and allowing and assisting with the display.
Printing, duplication or any other use of any portion of this document without permission is both unethical and a violation of the law and is expressly prohibited. Please do not encourage or participate in the unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
© 2004 Arlan Steinolfson