Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.08.2010, Blaðsíða 11

Visit us on the web at http://www.lh-inc.ca
Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1. ágúst 2010 • 11
Pam Olafson Furstenau
Pride in their heritage and significance of family history followed the Ice-
landers that moved to North
America. A team of researchers
have developed a unique project
that helps visiting
Icelanders connect
with their Western
Cousins. George
Freeman and Pam
Olafson Furstenau
from North Dakota,
and Hálfdan Hel-
gason of Iceland
are partners in this
exciting project
that is enriching the
lives of many peo-
ple. Finding a “lost
cousin” is a great
opportunity to share
photos, stories, and
information that is
not available any-
where else. These
connections have
increased tourism
to Iceland when the
North American
cousins are invited
for a visit to the
“Homeland”.
One of the diffi-
culties that confront
the visiting Iceland-
ers when searching
for family in North
America are name
changes. When the
families immigrat-
ed to America, they
did not always keep
their same name. A
few examples are
Sigurdsson became
Laxdal, Sveinsson
became Swanson
or Swearson, Sam-
sonarsson became
Samson.
In 2003, at the Deuce of
August Icelandic Celebration
in North Dakota, George or-
ganized a Genealogy Center.
Pam volunteered to help him.
Hálfdan has a wonderful data-
base headquartered in Iceland.
George and Pam contribute
their North American research
to Hálfdan and he assists them
with information from Iceland.
This collaboration makes the
project enjoyable and success-
ful. A highlight at the Deuce
is when Hálfdan is
available over a vid-
eo and audio link
through Skype.
By 2007, the
Genealogy Center
was becoming well
known. Tim and Su-
san Sigurdson Pow-
ers provided their
home in Mountain
as a dedicated space
for the Genealogy
Center. Many cous-
ins were meeting
each other and the
“Cousins Across
the Ocean” project
was given an official
name. Tour group
leaders in Iceland,
such as Jónas Þór,
inform their tour
groups about this
program and the vis-
itors contact George
and Pam with their
requests and infor-
mation. It is now a
year-round project
but it is highlighted
during the Deuce of
August Celebration.
George, Pam,
and Hálfdan are
passionate about
keeping the stories
and the information
alive. The Cousins
project is a volun-
teer effort. In addi-
tion to online sub-
scriptions and their
own databases, each
of them has an extensive ge-
nealogy resource library. The
team also works with Nelson
Gerrard from Manitoba, Valgeir
Þórvaldsson from Hófsos, and
Magnús Haraldsson from the
Iceland Genealogy Forum.
This year marks the 111th
annual Icelandic Celebration
on July 30, 31, and August 1.
Come to North Dakota! Explore
the area where many Icelandic
pioneers settled. Find more
information on our website:
www.august2nd.com or join
us on Facebook at “August the
Deuce”.
Cousins across the Ocean
pHoto: pAtty sigurDson
Sigurdson cousins
George Freeman
Pam Olafson
Furstenau
Hálfdan Helgason
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MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS – EDDAS AND SAGAS
The Ancient Vellums on Display
ICELAND :: FILM – Berlin – Copenhagen – Reykjavík
Icelandic Filmmaking 1904-2009
ICELANDERS – AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
The spirit of the Icelandic nation in words and images
EXHIBITIONS - GUIDED TOURS
CAFETERIA - CULTURE SHOP
The Culture House – Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritage
Hverfi sgata 15 · 101 Reykjavík (City Centre)
Tel: 545 1400 · www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11 am and 5 pm
Free guided tour of THE MEDIEVAL MANU-
SCRIPTS exhibition Mon and Fri at 3:30 pm.
The Culture House – Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritage
Hverfisgata 15 • 101 Reykjavík (City Centre)
Tel: 545 1400 • www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11 am and 5 pm
Free Guided tour of THE MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS
exhibition Mon and Fri at 3:30 pm
MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS – EDDAS AND SAGAS
The Ancient Vellums on Display
ICELAND :: FILM – Berlin – Copenhagen – Reykjavík
Icelandic Filmmaking 1904-2009
ICELANDERS – AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
The spirit of the Icelandic nation in words and images
EXHIBITIONS - GUIDED TOURS
CAFETERIA - CULTURE SHOP
The Culture House – Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritage
Hverfi sgata 15 · 101 Reykjavík (City Centre)
Tel: 545 1400 · www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11 am and 5 pm
Free guided tour of THE MEDIEVAL MANU-
S RIPTS exhibition Mon and Fri at 3:30 pm.
MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS – EDDAS AND SAGAS
The Ancient Vellums on Display
ICELAND :: FILM – Berlin – Copenhagen – Reykjavík
Icelandic Filmmak g 1904-2009
ICELANDERS – AN EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
The spirit of the Icelandic nation in words and images
EXHIBITIONS - GUIDED TOURS
C FETERIA - CULTURE SHOP
The Culture House – Þjóðmenningarhúsið
National Centre for Cultural Heritag
Hverfi sgata 15 · 101 Reykjavík (City Centre)
Tel: 545 1400 · www.thjodmenning.is
Open daily between 11 am and 5 pm
Free guided tour of THE MEDIEVAL MANU-
SCRIPTS exhibition Mon and Fri at 3:30 pm.
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