The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2009, Page 50

192
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 62 #3
across western Canada and struggled to
subsist on very little in the early years. The
authors found that their parents did not
tend to want to reminisce about hardships
in the homeland.
While they are all success stories, they
do at times portray a significant amount of
pain and hardship. We read that during the
1876 smallpox epidemic a couple was left
facing the loss of all seven children and a
young women was left dealing with the
death of her husband and two young chil-
dren. These women faced these tragedies
with stoic fortitude and community sup-
port.
A number of common themes is appar-
ent. The importance of reading, books and
education is emphasized throughout. Most
evenings particularly during the winter
involved reading the sagas, telling stories
about the sagas, reading the Bible, reciting
poetry and reading from a variety of other
literary sources. This rich literary and lin-
guistic heritage was considered a “priceless
treasure” (p.38). Several parents were poets
and every community had a couple of folk-
poets. Singing was enjoyed, particularly
Petursson’s Passion Hymns. Most families
had members who played musical instru-
ments some of which were brought from
Iceland.
One common theme was the strength
of the mothers. They are described as pro-
viding the foundation of the family. As one
noted, “I marvelled at my mother’s ability
to make do with what she had on hand. It
was nothing short of a miracle” (p.106).
Mothers are portrayed as calm, selfless and
constantly working.
The seven parental memoirs are of
Olafur G. Johnson and Sigjrrudur
Gudbrandsdottir by Sigurllna Backman
(1896-1985), Stephan G. Stephansson and
Helga Jonsdottir by Rosa Benediktsson
(1900-1995), Gunnar Bjornsson and
Ingibjorg Agustlna Jonsdottir by Valdimar
Bjornsson (1906-1987), Guttormur
Torsteinsson and Birgitta Josepsdottir by
Rev. Guttormur Guttormsson (1880-
1956), Jon Guttormsson and Pallna
Ketilsdottir by Guttormur J. Guttormsson
(1878-1966), Sigurbjorn Johannsson and
Maria Jonsdottir by Jakobfna Johnson
(1883-1977) and Eyjolfur Jonsson and
Sigurveig Sigurdardottir by Gudni Julius
Oleson (1882-1957).
It is interesting to note that despite all
the hardships these people encountered,
they lived to a ripe old age. Most of the
parents and authors lived well into their
80s and 90s.
This book is a fascinating read. Those
who are interested in their Western
Icelandic roots or in pioneer life in general
will view it as an exciting and invaluable
resource. We are indebted to the various
authors for sharing their memories, to
Finnbogi for initially coordinating this
work, and to Birna, her colleagues and the
translators who made this English version
available.
Hopefully, at some future date, we can
look forward to seeing the translation of
the remaining seven biographies.
Pjodraeknisfelag Islendinga £ Vesturheimi
PRESIDENT: Gerri McDonald
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