Meet our Grandparents
Christopherson Branch
Revised: January 26, 2012
Sigurður Kristófersson, later changed to Christopherson upon arriving to NewYork or Canada , born in Iceland, was a pioneer of New Iceland , Postmaster in Baldur, General storekeeper and welcomed ALL of his neighbors. Helped when they needed a hand. Both his homesteads still stand today. Update: Only Grund in Manitoba stands...barely. There is No relationship to Kris Kristofferson, he is not Icelandic.
It has been estimated that during the years 1870-1890 ten to twelve thousand people emigrated from Iceland to America, not such a small number considering that the remaining population was only about seventy thousand. After having examined the emigration records in the National Archives of Iceland I am inclined to believe that the number of emigrants has been underestimated. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be somewhere between fifteen and twenty thousand on a more accurate count.
Source
The Pioneers landed at Willow Point. Sigurdur was instrumental in scouting out the site a year earlier and traveled to Iceland and Swan River as an Emigration Agent. He was almost thrown out of Iceland during a visit to bring another party and shouted down during a meeting by students no less (11). Leaving the motherland at that time was frowned upon. They intended to land north near Hecla island in the north of Lake Winnipeg. The weather changed and the captain let them off at Willow Point, where they set up a quick camp and built one log cabin for the food. This would be near current day Gimli, Manitoba, Canada in the harbor. Later, illness broke out and the area was quarantined. Imagine the Reverend on the one side of Netley Creek and Sigurdur marrying Caroline Taylor on the other, because he could not enter the restricted area.
They settled for a couple years and moved to the Argyle RM district. Everett Parsonage, John Taylor's previous worker in Ontario, canada, lived at Pilot Mound [3]. At this time much of Canada was unsettled except by fur traders for the Hudson Bay Company, Indians and french outposts. Winnipeg was the largest town at that time in 1887 and Sigurdur was the 1st to file a deed for many acres (on file here) in that area. Frelsis (Liberty) Lutheran Church at Grund, NW 12-6-14W, R.M. of Argyle, Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site No. 52, made so with the help of Henry Einarson, was built right next to his homestead named after their Iceland homestead; GRUND, which meant "Grassy Plains" at NW 11-6-14W. Picnic grounds were set up near Sigurdur and Caroline's homestead which still stands today and owned by Sigurdur's son; William Christopherson's offspring. The last name was anglicized. During a meeting of the Icelanders, Sigurdur suggested naming the village closest to them, after a pretty flower. He could not find one and named it after a Pagan God, Baldur. This map shows within 1 mile north or south where the farm is at. Argyle was south of Glenboro, where my mother was from, and North of Baldur. This is a more accurate map from Nonni and Kommakur. The Skjaldbreid Hall was at Grund. Still researching this.
You see, Sigurdur's health was not that good. He found when he visited the coast of British Columbia, Canada, his lungs were better and around 1912 they moved and built- a small cabin there which the larger house was attached to it. The street they lived on was named after them (Christopherson Road) and shows on the map to this day.
Ytra-Nes, meaning Outer Ness was a 90-acre waterfront estate bought in 1904
by Sigurdur Kristofersson from Iceland. Located near Crescent, the land had been previously owned by a Scotsman and was the site of an ancient Indian fort (mound). The property also had fruit and walnut trees. Over the years, Icelandic neighbours established themselves nearby, including the Sveinn, Brynjolfsson, Kristjan, Runolfur, Anderson, Bjornson and Stoneson families.
In 1912, Ytra-Nes became the home of son and daughter-in-law John and Vala
Christopherson and the new home, built prior to 1907, has remained in the
Christopherson family until 2006. Ytra-Nes (Ytrane), the home of granddaughter Carrie
Humber, Ytra-Nes was among the places visited by President Vigdis
Finnbogadottir of Iceland during her trip to British Columbia in 1988.
Source: 1995 Icelandic Heritage Calendar, Icelandic League of North America.
Carrie’s father moved his family from Elgin to the homestead in 1925 when
his mother died. The property was later divided among the seven Kristofferson offspring, and Veiga Dawe and her husband lived in the house. Mrs. Dawe was a substitute teacher at Crescent School. Carrie and her Mother moved back to be with Aunt Veiga when she became frail. Carrie notes that her grandfather first moved from Iceland to Argyle, Manitoba, to escape the famine and the volcanoes in his home country. He encouraged many Icelanders to settle in North America. Carrie’s aunt had wanted the road named Argyle, rather than Christopherson.
Source: Carrie Humber to Shirley Stonier
This is probably the original text sent to me by Ed Fader, whose wife is
Diana (nee Lowe, Anna Sveinsson's daughter) is a granddaughter of
Arni Sveinsson, Sr.. Lara Lindo is granddaughter of Jon Sveinsson. Jon is the son of Arni Sveinsson, Sr. born 1851.
This is from an Icelandic Calendar
Back Cover: 'Grund' – the Kristófersson family estate near Baldur, Manitoba – circa 1912.
– Built in 1896, five miles north and one and one half miles west of Baldur, ‘Grund’ was
the home of Sigurður and Carrie (Taylor) Kristófersson (Christopherson), who were the
first Icelandic settlers in ‘Argylebyggð’ (Argyle Municipality) in Southwestern Manitoba.
‘Grund’, erected by carpenter Bæring Hallgrímson, served as the area post office (see sign on photo) until 1932, and the district became known as Grund, as did the nearby church, which is now an historic building. For many years, ‘Grund’ was a focal point for social events, and the ‘Skjaldbreið Hall’ was built nearby. – Sigurður Kristófersson, the son of
Kristófer Andrésson and Sigurveig Sigurðardóttir of Ytri-Neslönd on Lake M´yvatn in
Northern Iceland, emigrated at age 25 in 1873, among the first of his countrymen to
come to North America. After two years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he joined the
exploratory party which selected the ‘New Iceland’ site on Lake Winnipeg in the summer of 1875. Sigurður first settled south of Gimli and named his homestead ‘Húsavík’ after
‘the last Icelandic soil’ he set foot on, and as a post office was established in his home on July 1, 1878, the district eventually became known as ‘Husavik’. He married in New
Iceland, in a ceremony performed over Netley Creek during the smallpox quarantine, to Carrie Taylor, a daughter of William Taylor (brother to John Taylor), whose homestead on Willow Creek was called ‘Forest Home’. – Sigurður and Carrie were among the first to seek better land ‘south in Manitoba' in 1881, and Sigurður is regarded as ‘Father’ of the Argyle Settlement. At one time he served as an emigration agent, guiding other Icelanders to Canada, and his pre-emption became known as ‘Little Baldur’ for the fact that many newcomers stayed in the three houses there while getting established. – In 1904, suffering from ill health, Sigurður left ‘Grund’ to his elder son, Jón, and moved to Crescent, British Columbia, where he and Carrie started anew and established a home called ‘Ytra-Nes’ (see October). The photo, taken in 1912 while Sigurður and Carrie (on left) were visiting ‘Grund’, also shows neighhours Árni S. Johnson and George Biles (centre); son and daughter-in-law Will and Stína Christopherson; and their son John (with bicycle), who succeeded to ‘Grund’ (father of Donna Skardal of Baldur). (Photo and poem courtesy of Donna Skardal).
October: ‘Ytra-Nes’ on the Pacific Coast, near Crescent, British Columbia, circa 1905 and 1910. – ‘Ytra-Nes’, meaning ‘Outer Ness’, was a 90 acre waterfront estate bought in 1904 by Sigurður Kristófersson from ‘Grund’ near Baldur (see back cover) – seen together with his wife, Carrie, to the left of the original shanty and on the balcony on the new house (see inset). Located on Semiahmoo Bay near Crescent (Surrey), British Columbia, this land had previously been owned by a Scotsman and was the site of an ancient ‘Indian fort’ (mound). The property also had fruit and walnut trees. Over the years, Icelandic neighbours established themselves nearby, including Sveinn and Thórdís Brynjólfsson, Kristján and Fríða Anderson, Runólfur and Sarah Björnson, and the Thorsteinn Stoneson family. In 1912 ‘Ytra-Nes’ became the home of son and daughter-in-law John and Vala Christopherson, and the new home (built prior to 1907) has remained in the Christopherson family ever since. Presently 2215 Christopherson Road and the home of granddaughter Carrie Humber, ‘Ytra-Nes’ was among the places visited by President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland during her trip to British Columbia in 1988. (Photos courtesy of Donna L. Skardal, Baldur, Man., with thanks to Mrs. Carrie Humber).
Sigurður and Carrie's beautiful house still overlooked the bluff at Boundary bay and seaside until 2006. Ytrane, with many add-ons, and land were all sold off by its heir, Carrie Humber's youngest nephew, John Carver in spring of 2006. John researched having Ytrane relocated. None of the local Historical Societies showed any interest or offerred any land or interest in it's care. The house is very tall which would have required many public lines to be interrupted. The house had been added on to as well. The original cabin was made into a Pantry many years ago (see photos to right). Hopefully a Plaque might be placed down the road, marking Sigurdur's contributions to Canada.
The house sat in the west center of the lot and issues with the roadway was also a factor in the decision to sell the lot and take down Ytrane. Ed Fader mentioned to me it was up for sale, not enough funds to do anything. Christopherson Road which went to the property was scaled back. It still exists today. Roy is working on a compilation of hundreds of pages on the family, titled "Sigurðurs Saga". Passing down the family tree information was common for Icelanders as the Sagas prove, however it seems it skipped a generation with my grandfather, Kjartan, so we must pass the torch of information.
For the PDF version of following text, click here
Individual Report for Kristófersson, Sigurður Sept 2009
Individual Summary: Kristófersson, Sigurður
Father: Andrésson, Kristófer
Mother: Sigurðardóttir, Sigurveig
Sex: Male
Individual Facts:
Birth: 09 Jul 1848 in farm Ytri-Neslond, Neslondum, in the beautiful Lake Mývatn
district in Northern Iceland [1, 4]
Emigration: 1873 in Canada? [1]
Farmed: Bet. 1877–1881 in huskavic, Grund, Ytranes í Víðinesbyggð
Property: Aug 1880 in Filed first homestead in Icelandic settlement of Argyle, N. of
Baldur, S.of Grund [4]
Also Known As: 1887 in New Iceland; Sigurður Christopherson
Death: 27 Mar 1921 in Crecent, B.C., Canada [2, 5, 6, 7]
Residence: 15 Apr 2008 in Homestead 2 still at 2215 Christopherson Rd, Surrey.
Crescent Rock is now Ocean Park
Name: Kristófersson, Sigurður [1, 2, 3]
Religion: Lutheran [8]
Sex: Male
Occupation: Argyle, Lisgar (County), Manitoba, Canada; Postmaster, Farmer, Emigration
Agent [1]
Shared Facts: Taylor, Caroline Nee
Marriage: 22 Jan 1877 in Netley Creek, , Manitoba, Canada [5]
Sealed to Spouse (LDS): 18 Feb 1998 in Glennview, Cook County, Illinois, USA [10]
Marriage Fact: 1877 in First couple married at Gimli, Mamitoba, Canada [9]
Children: Christopherson, Jón Sigurdur
Christopherson, William Christopher
Christopherson, Halldor
Christopherson, Sigurveig Veiga
Christopherson, Súsanna Sigurðardóttir
Christopherson, Kjartan
Christopherson, Lily
Notes:
Person Notes: Source: The Baldur High Scool Centennial Committee, 1967?
Blue cover possibly compiled and photocopied by the Baldur High School
students. 50 - 100 pages, in good to mint condition.
2 staples and a masking tape type of binding.
Page 2 gives credits, but no dates. One. One drawing/comment leds me to
believe it was don in 1967.
many crude drawings and 10 pages
28 pages of photos with captions.
Maps of the old/current settlements and descriptions of them, like Rock
lake.
Page 17
"He named the country Grund (Plains) and Bru (Bridge)"..."...On account of
floods at Gimli in 1878-79 and 1880 farmers had to drive their stock to other
districts to be fed during the winter. In July 1880 Christian Johnson and
Sigurdur Christopherson set out to look for greener fields. Their friend
Everett Parsonage who had lived in New Iceland, wrote them of a
promising land in Southern Manitoba. These two men traveled by row boat
Page 1 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
Everett Parsonage who had lived in New Iceland, wrote them of a
promising land in Southern Manitoba. These two men traveled by row boat
to Winnipeg and by steam boat to Nelsonville where the closest land office
was. From there they walked to Pilot Mound and after three days' journey,
they got to the home of their friend Everett
parsonage.
Venturing north, these three men followed Oak Creek to what is now Bru.
There a tent was pitched by messieurs Parry and Esplin, indicated a little
life. From there they traveled west to 12-6-14, and camped. Mr. Parsonage
rode his pony south to the hill (west from where the Lutheran Church is
now), turned around and galloped his horse back and told his comrades he
had found paradise. Four or five sections were claimed immediately. They
returned to Nelsonville to file the claim. Mr. Christopherson filed on S.W.
12-6-14. On Sept 25, 1880, Skafti Arason, wife and two small children, Skuli
Arnason and family, G. Nordman and Sigurdur Christopherson left Gimli for
their new homesteads.
Cabins built on their oxe-drawn sleighs brought these sturdy Vikings over
the frozen prairie sea of snow and after two weeks of traveling in very cold
and stormy weather, they reached their promised land. They camped close
to Christopherson's haystack until the weather turned milder and then their
building began.
later that spring the settlement grew to eight families with the arrival of Mrs.
Christopherson and children, Mr. and Mrs. Hearn, Mr. Halldor Arnason, Mr.
Thorstein Johnson and Mr. B. Josephson. By 1881 these families had land
ready for a crop, homes and stables built and plenty of hay. In 1883, many
Icelanders came directly from Iceland with practically nothing but courage
and a vision of a better life in Canada...."
"...New Years Day, 1884, at the home of Bjorn Sigvaldason..."
"...The new community was named Frelsis, meaning absolute
independence..."
also description of first picnic at Jones' Lake in 1884,,,
also nationalist; Peter Strang wrote...
also One Sunday at Grund, 125 bicycles were counted...
End Source: The Baldur High school Centennial Committee, 1967?
his surname became Christopherson upon immigration.
became a well known emigration agent as well as a leader amongst
Icelandic settlers in both New Iceland and Argyle. He married Caroline
Taylor, niece to John Taylor, an Englishman who was a great helper to the
Icelandic settlers, mainly in New Iceland, Manitoba.Mormon census states
b. = 1850.
Had great faith in the future of Canadian and British institutions.
source
http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/Event.aspx?tid=3276086&pid=-1635659813&sid
=-1635634787&eid=176147932&pg=0&se=1
Life in Iceland
Life in Iceland
Added by skitang6 on 11 Nov 2007
Information from "Come into our Heritage RM of Argyle 1882-1982"
Sigurdur was born on July 9,1848 in Neslondum, Myvatn, Iceland. His
father, Kristofer Andresson died in 1865, during a typhoid epidemic. The
whole family had been very sick at the time and their mother, Sigurveig
Sigurdurdottir, was unconscious and very low. A kind neighbor helped the
three older boys bury their father. The eight children, Kristveig, Sigridur,
Sigurjon, Sigurdur, Hernit, Lilja, Pjetur and Sigurborg never ceased to
wonder at their mother's endurance and courage. She worked from eary
morning until late at night, at the same time training her children to help as
much as possible, in order to provide them with the bare necesssities of life.
While knitting or mending, or making "shoes' for their feet, she would teach
them to read and commit to memory prayers and hymns. Sigurdur worked
for a neighboring farmer, but wages were poor. Late every fall he went up
the mountains searching for sheep that had not been found the first time of
fall roundup. These trips were fraught with danger and hardship. Any sheep
found so late in the fall and winter were equally divided between the owner
(all sheep are marked in Iceland) and the one who found them. In this way
he made more money than his wages.When he was 25 years old, he
managed to save enough to pay his passage to America. He saw it was not
possible to live in Iceland except in poverty and he thought how much
better it would be to live in a country where grain, fruit and vegetables
would grow. No one from their part had emigrated from Iceland and
everyone thought it a foolish move.
Early Life
Added by skitang6 on 11 Nov 2007
Information from "Come into our Heritage RM of Argyle 1882-1982"
Caroline (Carrie) Taylor was born May 11, 1856, the daughter of William
Stuart Taylor and Isabella Slimmons. Her early childhood was spent in
Kingston, Ontario, later the family moved to Lansing, Michigan. When
Caroline was nine years old, her mother died, leaving five daughters. There
followed a sad period when these five little girls in heavy mourning (black
dresses trimmed with black crepe) lived with their grief-stricken father.
Strangers would stop them on the street and ask them whom they
mourned, and the girls would burst into tears. Carrie, in later years, had a
strong aversion to mourning, especially for children. Uncle John Taylor and
Aunt Elizabeth came to the rescue and took the girls to live with them in
Haliburton, Ontario. When their father remarried, Carrie and Anna returned
home, Susie and Jane remained with their aunt and uncle and Elizabeth
married. The next few years saw Carrie attend High school and graduate as
a teacher. When she was 16 her 'hair went up and her skirts were lowered'
and she went out to teach at a country school. She also apprenticed as a
dressmaker, soon becoming good at sewing and cutting out garments
which required much tucking, ruching and gathers in those days. On a trip
to visit her aunt, uncle and sisters in Haliburton, the last night of the journey
was spent at Kinmount. Next morning at breakfast, the waitress drew her
attention to the window, and looking out, she saw an Icelander for the first
time, a beautiful young woman with long golden hair and pink and white
complexion, wearing a simple blouse and dark skirt. This happened to be
Page 3 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
time, a beautiful young woman with long golden hair and pink and white
complexion, wearing a simple blouse and dark skirt. This happened to be
Gudney, wife of Fridjon Fridrikson. She was to become Carrie's lifelong
friend. As she continued on her journey, little did Carrie realize how much
this encounter would change her life. Her Uncle John was doing missionary
work for the British Bible Society and when she told him about the
Icelanders at Kinmount, he was very interested and lost no time in going
there to see if he could be of any service to them. He met Fridjon Fridrikson
and Sigtryggur Jonasson, and was much impressed by the sincerity and
honesty of these fine people. He set about helping them get financial help
to see them through the rugged winter; provision was also made for a
scouting party to go west in search of a more suitable site for settlement.
Carrie returned to Lansing in the spring, and in the fall she went to
Manitoba with her father, his wife and three children. They joined Uncle
John's party at Sarnia. Traveling by boat, they arrived at Duluth after nine
days, and stayed that night in a hotel. They went by train to Glinden and
stayed all night in a roundhouse, then went by train to Fisher's Landing on
the Red River. Here they went by train to Fisher's Landing on the Red
River. Here they went on board a riverboat, the 'International'. The river was
very low. After nine days they reached Garry (Winnipeg). There they lived
on a flatboat until the rest of the journey could be made. Here they met Dr.
Schultz who was interested in this new colony.
Emigration to America
Added by skitang6 on 11 Nov 2007
Information from "Come into our Heritage RM of Argyle 1882-1982"
A few days before Whit Sunday 1873, Sigurdur bad farewell to family and
friends who had accompanied him to the seaport town of Husavik. There he
boarded a small sailing vessel called 'Hjalmar', that was leaving for Norway.
Among those who took passage on the same boat were Gudrun and
Gudfinna Aradottir (Sisters of Skafti), and Jon Halldorson. They carried their
baggage down into the boat and then helped to haul the boat out into deep
water. They sailed at 10pm. The next morning the mate handed them small
portions of butter and sugar which, he told them, must last a week. They
were also served with bread, meat and coffee three times a day. The sea
became rough and the girls and some of the men became seasick. On Whit
Sunday there was a southwest storm with driving rain, it was difficult to
manage the boat. At mid-day they were east of Lauganesi and that was the
last they saw of their homeland. Two days later the weather was delightful
and they found it interesting to watch a large number of whales that were
swimming around the ship. All were in good spirits. The girls ventured on
deck and were amused when SIgurdur and Jon each hemmed a
handkerchief for them, but did not consider it fine sewing. At 1pm, Trinity
Sunday, they came in sight of Norway. Upon reaching the harbor town of
Christianson, the Agent of the S.S. Co. arranged passage for the young
Icelanders on the S.S. Harold. The food was much better on this ship, and
although the days were monotonous with no amusements, the weather was
good. On June 30, 2 am they arrived in New York. It was a dark night, but
the city was shining with lights, the most beautiful sight Sigurdur had seen
in his life. The young Icelanders then had their first taste of railway travel
from New York to Milwaukee. From there the men set out looking for work.
He found the weather unbearably hot and found it hard to sleep at night, he
Page 4 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
from New York to Milwaukee. From there the men set out looking for work.
He found the weather unbearably hot and found it hard to sleep at night, he
became ill. In July 1975 (1875?), Skafti Arason and Kristjan Jonsson arrived
in Milwaukee from Kinmount. They were on their way to Manitoba to look
for land. Sigurdur joined them and after deciding on the Keewatin district
north of Manitoba for the Icelandic Immigrants, the three men took work on
the CPR in East Selkirt until October when the Icelanders from Kinmount
joined them.
Life in Canada
Added by skitang6 (ancestry.com) on 11 Nov 2007
Information from "Come into our Heritage RM of Argyle 1882-1982"
Sigurdur met Carrie Taylor here in Kinmount and they were married on
January 22, 1877. Because the Iclandic Settlement was under smallpox
quarantine, they stood on one side of Netley Creek (the quarantine line)
and the Metis minister stood on the other side. Sigurdur had taken a
homestead and named it 'Hasavik', there they farmed for four years until
moving to Argyle Municipality. Two sons were born at Husavik, Jon
Sigurdur and William Christopher. In the spring of 1881, the move was
made to their new homestead of 'Grund', NE 10-6-14 in Argyle. Their
household effects, stove, dishes, and aprecious box of books, were shipped
to Portage la Prairie, but were lost in transit. They lived in atent and Carie
cooked over a campfire all summer until a small one-room cabin was built.
In 1882, a third son was born, Halldor (named for Halldor Briem who had
married Susan Taylor). There were no doctors; Rebecca Johnson came
from Winnipeg to take care of Carrie who was so sick. Four more children
were born at Grund over the next few years. Those years were busy ones,
their hard work would bring many joys and rewards, but there would be
worries and sorrows as well. Sigurdur was on the first town council of
Baldur, and it was Carrie who suggested the name for the town. 'Carrie Ave'
was named for her. Both took an active part in community life. Their doors
were always open to friends and strangers. Many families would stay with
them or on Sigurdur's pre-emption (Little Baldur) until they could get their
own homes built. One day a prairie fire came racing toward the farmyard.
Every hand was needed to fight it. A spot that was burned off was selected
and the baby Sigurveig was wrapped in a blanket and left on the spot, while
Carrie helped to beat out the fire, then rushed back to find her baby safe. A
few years later they lost their nine year old daughter, Lilja, to appendicitis. A
longer log house was built, with a lean-to built the full length for the store
and post office which they had at Grund. The post office was there until the
late 1920's. Sigurdur went to Iceland as an immigration agent. On one of
the trips he was gone almost a year. This was an anxious time for Carrie
with so much responsibility. When he returned he brought a large party of
settlers, many of them his brothers, sisters, young cousins, and his little
mother Sigurveig, who although she was blind, was so cheerful and happy
to be America. She was interested in the big oak trees, and was delighted
when she was taken to the garden and felt the size of the pumpkins and
other vegetables. She lived only a short time. In 1893, three weeks after
her arrival she passed away at the age of 80. Her funeral was held
outdoors. The grounds were crowded with people, many of them just over
from Iceland and still wearing their Icelandic shawls and caps. A new house
was build in 1896; in 1904 a large barn. Sigurdur continued much
Page 5 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
from Iceland and still wearing their Icelandic shawls and caps. A new house
was build in 1896; in 1904 a large barn. Sigurdur continued much
colonization work, making more trips back to Iceland, and also some into
the Swan River area of Manitoba. He had also built up a real estate and
insurance business, with Carrie working as his secretary, well able to carry
on his business when he was away. In 1903, Sigurdur was finally struck
down by ill health and was confined to bed for months. The following winter
he suffered a relaps, so on his doctor's advice, he and Carrie traveled to
the west coast. She never thought that she was leaving her home for good
and would be called a 'pioneer' once more, but that's exactly what
happened. On a previous trip, Sigurdur had bought a piece of land on the
seaside. One day when the west coast climate had made him stronger,
they walked up to this property, a beauty spot with overgrown orchard, they
fell in love with it. Sigurdur began clearing the brush and soon had a site
cleared for a small house. They named it 'Itriness', the name of his parents'
farm in Iceland. As at Grund, their doors were always open. Many old
friends stopped for a visit; new friends and neighbors never failed to call if
passing by; some of their children moved west to live near them and so
they spent their last years happily at Itriness. Sigurdur died on Easter Day,
March 27, 1921. He is buried in Grund Cemetery in Argyle Municipality.
Carrie's Death
Added by skitang6 on 11 Nov 2007
Information from "Come into our Heritage RM of Argyle 1882-1982"
Carrie died on December 9, 1923. The day of her funeral was like a
summer day, sunny and warm, 'just like Carrie's character', it was said. She
is buried in the Grund Cemetery in Argyle Municipality next to her husband.
Frelsis Lutheran Church (Grund)
Completed in June of 1889, Grund is the oldest surviving Icelandic Lutheran
church in Canada and a designated Provincial historic site. It is located
between the villages of Baldur and Glenboro, approximately 180 kilometers
southwest of Winnipeg. The pioneers who built the church had originally
settled in the short-lived "State of New Iceland" on the western shore of
Lake Winnipeg. Battered by outbreaks of scurvy and smallpox, and facing
shortages of food and shelter, some of them began looking elsewhere for a
new and less hostile home. In August of 1880 one of their leaders, Sigurdur
Kristofersson (later anglicized as Christopherson), traveled to the region
north of Pilot Mound and registered the first homestead on a piece of land
which he called Grund (Grassy Plain). Guided by John Taylor, an English
missionary and brother-in-law of Christopherson, the first settlers left Gimli
on March 15, 1881 and reached their destination on March 31. Upon arrival
they congregated in the vicinity of Christopherson's farm. It was near this
spot that the church was built eight years later.
Initially religious services were held in private homes or recently built
schools, but soon the pressure of a burgeoning population forced the
settlers to organize on a more formal basis. Two distinct congregations
were established: the "Frikirkja" on January 1, 1884, and the "Frelsis" on
July 25, 1885. Work on the new church, intended to be used by both
congregations, began in 1889 on a two-acre piece of land purchased from
one of the settlers for $10.00. All the labour was performed by volunteers
Page 6 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
congregations, began in 1889 on a two-acre piece of land purchased from
one of the settlers for $10.00. All the labour was performed by volunteers
under the direction of carpenters Byring Hallgrimson and Arni Sveinson. In
1896 a steepled belfry was added to the structure to accommodate a newly
acquired 230-kilogram bell. The organ, still in working order and originally
standing on a platform against the east wall, was purchased in 1911.
Several outbuildings, including a stable and a home for the minister, were
built shortly after the completion of the church, but were torn down in the
1930s and 1940s. A small cemetery, serving as final resting place for some
of the original pioneers, is located some three hundred metres to the east.
For many years Grund served the members of both the Frelsis and Frikirkja
congregations, but in 1910 another church was built at Bru, a few
kilometers northeast of Grund, to service the needs of those living in the
eastern part of the settlement. This church was best known for its stained
glass windows and fine organ. Four years earlier a third congregation, the
Emmanuel Lutheran, had been formed in Baldur and in 1907 its members
built the Baldur Emmanuel Lutheran Church. With the construction of these
two structures, and the serious rural depopulation that coincided with the
depression and the dust bowl of the 1930s, the membership at Grund
began to decline. In 1965 the Frelsis congregation merged with that of the
Emmanuel Church. Nine years later Grund was declared a provincial
historic site and maintenance of the property was turned over to the
Manitoba government. Unfortunately, the survival of Grund came at the
expense of Bru, which was eventually moved to Cypress River where it now
serves as a restaurant.
Directions to the Church (Roy has a map):
From the junction of Elizabeth Street (Highway 23) and Oak Creek Road in
Baldur drive north on Oak Creek Road for approximately 9.2 km. Located
on the right-hand side of the road, the church is hard to miss. Almost all of
the route is over a gravel road. While driving through town you will pass the
Emmanuel Lutheran Church on the left. The excursion will take you through
an area of scenic hills and pothole lakes created during the most recent
period of glaciation.
Two other Lutheran churches in Manitoba are worth a visit.
1. Bethany Lutheran, located approximately 3.2 km north of the junction
of Highways 10 and 45 and approximately 1 km east.
2. Hecla Lutheran in Hecla Village on the shore of Lake Winnipeg.
Further Information:
Come into Our Heritage, Baldur, Rural Municipality of Argyle, 1981.
From Ed Fader? From Calendar?
Ýranes
by Stefania Morris,
Luke and Carrie Humber welcome you to Ýranes. Carrie’s grandparents,
Sigurðr and Caroline Christopherson, came here in 1904. They had bought
80 acres of ocean property and built a small house which is still part of the
I
Page 7 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
Sigurðr and Caroline Christopherson, came here in 1904. They had bought
80 acres of ocean property and built a small house which is still part of the
present building.
Sigurðr was born July 9, 1848, at Neslandum, Mýatn, in Iceland. He was
the oldest of seven children. His father died in a typhoid epidemic while the
children were very young. Sigurðr came to Canada when he was 25 years
old. Sigurðr along with two other men went from Kinmount, Ontario, to the
Keewatin district to find new land for the group of Icelanders. The land
chosen was New Iceland. The men worked on the railroad until the
Kinmount people came in October.
Caroline Taylor, better known as Carrie, was the niece of John Taylor who
was doing missionary work with the British Bible Society, and Carrie who
had met the Icelandic people including Sigurðr, asked her uncle to try to get
financial help to see the Icelandic people through the winter.
Sigurðr and Carrie were married January 20, 1877. Because the Icelandic
settlement was still under quarantine for Smallpox they stood on one side of
Netley Creek, the quarantine line, and the minister stood on the other side.
Carrie was a schoolteacher and was the first teacher in the district. Sigurðr
had taken a homestead and named his place Hœsav’k. They farmed there
for four years then he went and scouted for new land in the Argyle district.
There they built a home and called the farm Grund. They had the post
office and later a church was built there. The Grund church is now a
heritage building. Sigurðr and Carrie were very active in the community.
Carrie chose the name for the town of Baldur, and there is a Carrie Street
named after her. Sigurðr made many trips to Iceland as an immigration
agent. He brought out all his brothers and sisters and his then blind mother
who, even though she could not see the oak trees, was very interested in
them, also the pumpkins and vegetables in the garden. Later Sigurðr set up
a real estate and insurance company with Carrie as secretary.
In 1903 Sigurðr was struck down with ill health and was confined to bed for
some time. On doctor's advice he and Carrie traveled to the west coast.
They had bought the ocean property and when walked up to the over grown
orchard they fell in love with the place and built their home of - Ýranes - the
name of his parents’ place in Iceland. Sigurðr’s health improved after he
came out here. Ýranes, the same as Grund, always had an open door. In
earlier years, Icelandic picnics were held there and seniors from the
Icelandic home Hfn were brought out for outings.
Sigurðr died March 27, 1921. Carrie, the English girl who learned Icelandic
and became an Icelander, lived until December 9, 1923. Christopherson
Road still bears their name. Many of the Christophersons family moved out
here as well as many other Icelandic people.
DOC_0008_Ytranes-1
From: Ed Fader
Date: May 18, 2006 10:58:25 PM PDT
Hi Roy
Some History of the Christopherson family in Ocean Park.
Enclosed is a picture of the house taken around 1910 and still remains on
the property. That is the house where Carrie and Luke Humber lived.
Ytra-Nes, meaning Outer Ness was a 90-acre waterfront estate bought in
1904 by Sigurdur Kristofersson from Iceland. Located near Crescent, the land
had been previously owned by a Scotsman and was the site of an ancient
Indian fort (mound). The property also had fruit and walnut trees. Over the years,
Icelandic neighbours established themselves nearby, including the Sveinn,
Brynjolfsson, Kristjan, Runolfur, Anderson, Bjornson and Stoneson families.
In 1912, Ytra-Nes became the home of son and daughter-in-law John and
Vala Christopherson and the new home, built prior to 1907, has remained in the
Christopherson family ever since. Presently the home of granddaughter
Carrie Humber, Ytra-Nes was among the places visited by President Vigdis
Finnbogadottir of Iceland during her trip to British Columbia in 1988.
Source: 1995 Icelandic Heritage Calendar, Icelandic League of North
America.
Carrie’s father moved his family from Elgin to the homestead in 1925 when
his mother died. The property was later divided among the seven
Kristofferson offspring, and Veiga Dawe and her husband lived in the
house. Mrs. Dawe was a substitute teacher at Crescent School. Carrie and her
Mother moved back to be with Aunt Veiga when she became frail. Carrie notes that
her grandfather first moved from Iceland to Argyle, Manitoba, to escape the
famine and the volcanoes in his home country. He encouraged many
Icelanders to settle in North America. Carrie’s aunt had wanted the road named
Argyle, rather than Christopherson.
Source: Carrie Humber to Shirley Stonier
DOC_0001_Christopherson info_Surrey
Original PDF document of text above, see PDF_0015_00.09_OP18
Ocean Parker, September, 2000 Special Heritage Edition
PDF_WEB_0016_Christopherson-1 (from Kormakur Hognason)
Sigurdur went to Iceland as an immigration agent. On one of he trips he
was gone almost a year.
When he returned he brought a large party of settlers, many of them his
brothers, sisters, young cousins, and his mother Sigurveig to be America.
:
Page 9 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
brothers, sisters, young cousins, and his mother Sigurveig to be America.
Pending additional text from publication of Nelson Gerrard's book that will
have a chapter of Kjartan Christopherson and family.
From Nonni Jonssons WebSite (Swan River)
The Swan River Valley is located in north-western Manitoba, Canada, close
to Saskatchewan, about 300 miles north-west of Winnipeg. Like all the
other valleys on the great prairies of central North America, this valley is
merely lower flatland along the rivers limited on two sides by hills formed in
the gradually rising landscape. Deep valleys are non-existent except where
there are high mountains, and therefore there are no actual valleys on the
vast prairies, but rather wide depressions along riverbeds. The Swan River
Valley lies between the Duck Mountains to the south and the Porcupine
Mountains to the north; while Thunder Hill stands like a gable on its west
side. All these hills are low, they are the first stage in the rising landscape
from western Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains. Although the hills are low
they add a sorely needed diversity to the lowest and flattest areas in
Manitoba.
Around 1898 many Icelandic families were living in the Argyle district, some
were recent arrivals from Iceland who were unable to obtain land because
most of the homestead lands were already taken and the price of available
land was too high. These people were eager to find farmland to move to,
and they were working on several plans. Sigurður Christophersson, farmer
at Grund in the Argyle district, had been much involved with matters of
immigration. In the summer of 1897 he travelled to the Swan River Valley to
take a look at the land available there. When he returned he praised the
quality of the land and encouraged landless Icelanders to move there. His
reports may be read in the Icelandic newspaper Lögberg. (You will have to
install a DjVu plugin). 24 June 1897 page 1 and 29 July 1897 page 8. Or in
English here. In the winter of 1897-1898 a meeting was held at the home
of Skapti Arason, a farmer in the Argyle district, to discuss moving to the
Swan River Valley. Sigurður Christophersson was asked to make another
trip to the valley to inquire about land for a few families. While he was there
he made arrangements for A. J. Vopni´s quarter.
Here are the two Newspaper Ads placed by Sigurdur and without
Komakur's tanslation would probably be unknown in this day and age.
From the Icelandic Newspaper Lögberg 24 June, 1897, page 1
translated by Kormákur Högnason
(Kormakur Hognason)
Swan River Valley
On 27. May we left from Winnipeg in order to survey land in the northern
part of Dauphin county and in the Swan River valley, which lies from north
east to south west between Duck Mountain and the Porcupine Mountain.
From the town of Dauphin we drove (by buckboard) north through
Page 10 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
east to south west between Duck Mountain and the Porcupine Mountain.
From the town of Dauphin we drove (by buckboard) north through
Dauphin county to Sifton, but from there we rode (by horse) north to Pine
River and west into the Swan River valley.
In Dauphin county we didn't see any unsettled land, that we really liked,
the land generally lies low and is also in many areas sandy and rocky and
forested. We don´t mean to imply that there is no good land in Dauphin
county, but to state that the good land is almost all claimed and we wish
that Icelanders had gotten their share of it.
The Swan River valley is completely unsettled at present, and the main
reason, first and foremost is that the land has not been surveyed and
furthermore it has until now been located very far from a railroad; but now
neither element is a deterrant and it can be taken for granted that, the
entire valley will be settled within a short time.
When we arrived two miles west of the northern corner of Duck Mountain
the land began to look prettier, there we walked on beautiful prairies
surrounded by forest. Four miles from the mountain we arrived at very
beautiful prairies, they are so well shaped for field cultivation (agriculture)
that we had no complaint to make. There are also the finest fields and
pastures and beautiful forested tracks along rivers and streams. What we
surveyed the most were township 36 and 37, R.26 and 28, and there,
where we traveled, the thickest forest was on the south-east side of the
river (Swan River). That river is about 200 feet wide, where we travelled
along side it and the river banks are close to 100 feet high. We arrived at
three other rivers, whose names we didn’t know but there are beautiful
forested tracts growing along side them. There is therefore plenty of good
wood in the valley for building houses, for firewood, fence making, etc. The
soil is good everywhere, black soil, 7 to 18 inches deep and below there is
brown clay.
There is a lake in the northern part of the valley called Swan Lake and
we were told that it is full of fish, and that is true, because there is fish in
every river. There is plenty of good water everywhere, the water is clear in
the rivers and we also found spring water in a few places.
There is a large number of elk and moose in the mountains on both
sides of the valley.
This valley lies 35 miles to the west of Lake Winnipegosis and 70 miles
from the end of the Dauphin railroad; but there is little doubt that this
railroad will be lengthened in the near future, and then it will reach across
the valley.
Presently there is no driveable road north to the Swan River valley, but
the government has determined the road location and we hope that this
road will be constructed this summer.
We expect a more detailed assessment of this area to appear in Lögberg
within a month; but this brief survey should nevertheless be sufficient to
show Icelanders that this is a good opportunity - perhaps the best
opportunity ever to present itself in the future of this country - to obtain a
good farm in a good community.
Finally we want to repeat again, and we hope that men take notice, that
this valley will be densely built within a few months after the land has been
surveyed. Icelanders will therefore not obtain this land unless they react
right now.
Page 11 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
right now.
Located in Winnipeg 23. June 1897.
S. Christopherson
Þ. Símonarson.
From the Icelandic Newspaper Lögberg, 29 July, 1897, page 8
Swan River Valley
As was mentioned in the issue of Lögberg, published on the 1st of this
month, we left Winnipeg on 26. June to survey land in Swan River valley.
We travelled on the Manitoba & North Western railroad west to Yorkton and
from there we drove (by buckboard) north east to the valley. The road from
Yorkton to Fort Pelly, nearly 50 miles, is especially good, but it is in many
places difficult to travel the nearly 75 miles from Fort Pelly northeast to
Swan Lake. Not even minor road repair has been performed in that region
(the Pelly Trail) and yet there has been a considerable traffic over many
years, both by Indians and the white men (Fur traders) who have conducted
trade with them. We had small horses (Indian ponies) during the journey,
and when we arrived in the north we rode through the valley. This valley
lies southwest from a fairly large and attractive fishing lake, called Swan
Lake (Álptavatn), it is about 30 to 40 miles wide and approximately the
same length. Two separate mountains lie on either side of the valley, Duck
Mountain (Andafjall) on the southeast side and Porcupine Mountain
(Broddgaltafjall) on the northwest side, the former is 2500 feet and the latter
is 2400 feet above sea level. The bottom of the valley forms a 1900 feet
high plateau, called Thunder Hill (Þrumuhæð). All of these mountains are
covered by a forest, that in many places has very tall trees. Two large and
attractive rivers run along the entire valley and into Swan Lake, the one in
the west is Woody River and the one in the east is Swan River. Many
creeks and brooks run down the mountains and into the two main rivers.
We soon realized that we would not be able to travel across the entire
valley at this time and since it did not escape our notice that the
south-eastern part lends itself better to developing a community we decided
to pay less attention to the north-west part. We carefully surveyed the land
area between Woody River and Swan River, from Thunder Hill all the way
down to the lake and a large part of the land that lies between Swan River
and Duck Mountain; all in all we covered 17 townships.
Between Woody River and Swan River are many exceptional grassy
sloughs, in particular toward the north and near the lake. These sloughs
were in many places wet, partly due to the fact that the grass plexus is so
dense that the water can’t escape, nor can the sun dry it, furthermore there
was nearly constant rain during the time we were traveling there. Our guide
said, that all these fields are usually dry during the latter part of the
summer. The grass was everywhere superb in both growth and quality.
The land along the north-western side of Swan River is very attractive for
field tilling, it lies high and is dry, and the soil is good - the soil is in general
good everywhere we went with the exception of two or three patches that
were sandy. In some places the sides of the rivers are covered in forest but
in most places this is just new growth, that requires little effort to remove,
and some places are completely devoid of forest. There is however plenty
Page 12 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
in most places this is just new growth, that requires little effort to remove,
and some places are completely devoid of forest. There is however plenty
of good woodland further away from the river, so nobody needs to fear a
lack of sufficient and good wood. We were especially pleased with this land
for field tilling and for livestock (mixed farming), because those who will be
fortunate enough to acquire the land along the river will be able to use the
fields that lie further away for many years. In township 35, range 29 a large
creek, called Thunder Hill Creek; runs into Swan River, along side this
creek is a very attractive and good land suitable for any purpose, the
pastures there are exceptionally attractive.
The most attractive place that we saw during our journey was
undoubtedly between Rolling River (Roaring River) and Duck Mountain.
There is a hill just west of the mountain, called Minitonas Hill, it lies 1500
feet above sea level, and Rolling River (Roaring River) runs along the west
side of the hill and Favel River runs along the east side of it. The land
around this hill and down along the rivers is of good quality and particularly
attractive. The entire area has obviously been covered by forest until
recently, but the wood has been completely destroyed by fire over a large
region. This region may be described as a single savanna, high and dry,
with small but attractive forest belts along the rivers. In our opinion the
pastures in this region are scarcely sufficient should the land be used
exclusively for livestock, however they are well suited for field tilling or both
together (mixed farming). We met land surveyors at Minitonas Hill. The man
in charge stated that he had never in his life surveyed a more attractive
land, and quite honestly we don’t doubt that he was telling the truth.
There is plenty of wood in the entire valley and in some places the saw
wood is so good that a sawmill would be well viable. The most common
trees are poplar and spruce. But we did see tamarack and birch in a few
places and along Swan River there was a considerable number of maple
trees.
There is plenty of good water everywhere. All the rivers and creeks have
a sand bottom and the water is therefore clean and clear. We found many
ice cold and silver clear springs.
Fishing is in all the rivers and abundant whitefish catch in the lake, as
would be expected since a navigable river runs out of it north to Lake
Winnipegosis. That river is called Shoal River and it is only 14 miles long.
At present it is costly and difficult to move west to Swan River valley,
however it is not nearly as difficult as some would think. As we already
stated there is an excellent road from Yorkton to Fort Pelly and from there
it’s only an additional 30 to 40 miles to the location that we liked the best,
and the road is quite useable during this time of year. The Government of
Manitoba has decided to clear a roadway, this Fall, west of Dauphin and
into the valley, all the difficulties involved in getting there will therefore
disappear by next summer. However, if Icelanders are to acquire these land
areas, they cannot wait for this roadway, they must react immediately and
secure the land. Hon. Thos. Greenway has made attempts to have a few
townships in the Swan River valley set aside for Icelanders, but that will
apparently not go through. The most that Hon. Clifford Sifton has done, in
this matter, is to permit those Icelanders who wish to be absent from their
land longer than the law stipulates in order to earn money, this prerequisite
may turn out to be of considerable value.
In conclusion we want to stress that we liked the land so much that we
don’t hesitate to urge Icelanders to react immediately and acquire land
there. If a few band together and go as a group, then the Government of
Manitoba will undoubtedly provide them with a guide and offer them a
subsidized fare on the Manitoba & North Western railroad.
The undersigned are willing to answer letters and supply all relevant
information.
Winnipeg 26. July 1897.
M. Paulson, S. Christopherson,
618 Elgin ave, Grund
Winnipeg. Man.
END NEWSPAPER ADS z
Relationship Notes: This would confirm that Carrie and my GGGrandfather were married during the epidemic at the creek's edge.
Sources:
1 Halfdan, The Emigration from Iceland to North America, The Weekly Newsletter - Nr 39,
http://www.halfdan.is/news/newsletter_039.htm.
2 Online Resource, http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/person.aspx?pid=-2079524724&tid=466783&ssrc=.
3 Halfdan.IS_Genweb DataBase.
4 O.J. Thorsteinson, Grund Church Booklet, J.D. McFarland, Historic Resources Branch, Property of Pauline Einarson Christopherson.
5 Family Search U.S. Social Security Death Index, Morman Church - The Church of Jesus Christ, www.familysearch.org.
6 Bristish Columbia Archives, Vital Event Death Egistration, Reg. # 1921-09-285600, GSU Microfim # 1927296
7 British Columbia Death Index: 1872 to 1979, not online. Actual text:Name: Sigurdur Christopherson
Birth Date: abt 1849
Birth Place:
Death Date: 27 March 1921
Death Place: Crescent
Web address:http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=brit
coldeath&h=121390&ti=0&indiv=try.
8 Mormon Church - 1881 Canadian Census, Turtle Mountain, South Western Extension, Extension, Manitoba.
9 Caroline Cartwright, Caroline Cartwright College of San Mateo Thesis, "The Stoneson Brothers and the city they built:, The Icelandic Canadian, Spring, 1960, p. 33.
10 ancestry.com, isberg_Kanaski tree.
Page 14 of 14 Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:45:28 PM
6 Bristish Columbia Archives, Vital Event Death Egistration
7 British Columbia Death Index: 1872 to 1979, not online. Actual text:Name: Sigurdur Christopherson
Birth Date: abt 1849
Birth Place:
Death Date: 27 March 1921
Death Place: Crescent
Web address:http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=brit
coldeath&h=121390&ti=0&indiv=try
Millbrae, CA 94030Address:
Phone:
Email: www.christopherson.net/genealogy
Prepared By: Roy Einar Christopheso
Thursday, September 11, 2008 12:28:55 AMPage 13 of 13
Sources:
8 Mormon Church - 1881 Canadian Census
9 Caroline Cartwright, Caroline Cartwright College of San Mateo Thesis
10 ancestry.com, isberg_Kanaski tree
11 Nelson Gerrard
12. 'Come Into Our Heritage', page 116
Photos of Sigurður Kristófersson
Sigurdur Christopherson,
married Caroline Taylor,
son of Kristófer Andresson
Great Grandfather of Roy Christopherson
CHILDREN:
Lilja Christopherson Costello
Kjartan Lorne Christopherson
Theodore Christopherson
Caroline Christopherson McLaughlin
Sig Christopherson
Hank Christopherson
Eileen Christopherson Keller
Dorothy Christopherson Cartwright
William ‘Bill’ Christopherson
NEW ADDITION! OCT 2009
See the Miriam & Ken Westereng Collection
at the Main photo Page
click to enlarge, Back Arrow to return
Courtesy of Halfdan Helgason
http://www.halfdan.is
Husavik, Iceland, name used for 1st homestead in New Iceland (Gimli)
where Sigurdur emigrated from.
The Arms show a Viking ship.
Húsavík was the first place in Iceland
to be settled by vikings, but only for one winter.
The first settler also gave the name to the town, house-bay.
Image obtained from the Icelandic Association of Municipalities (Samband Íslenzkra Svetarfélaga)
A Young Governor General Lord Dufferin
(source)
Lord Dufferin was a friend to the Icelanders and instrumental in the New Iceland Colony.
Stipple engraving of Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava as a young man.
Oxe Yoke from the Christopherson Farm
Sigurdur & Caroline Taylor Christopherson Family
1st Homestead
'Grund' meaning Grassy Plains
Map of Grund Church and surrounding area
Courtesy of Nonni Johnson
Inscribed Bible from Roys Great Grandmother,
Caroline NeeTaylor, daughter of William, brother
of John Taylor, Agent
This is the cover image sent to me by Linda
Hillegeist found at a garage sale
.
Inside of bible
PDF limk to translated inscription
Translation by Komakur Hognason
One of Sigurdur's Land Deed at Argyle
2nd Homestead
also known as Ytranes
2215 Christopherson Rd., Surrey, B.C., Canada,
circa 1910
Photo by Jon
Both still stand to date
Special thanks to Ed Fader for the scans.
2215 Christopherson Road, Surrey, B.C.
Yellow icon is house location.
Caroline 'Carrie' Gudrun nee Christopherson Humber lived in the house at 2215 Christopherson RD., Ytra-Nes (It-tre-ness).
Overhead View
of Ytranes Compilation
From the Mike Christopherson Collection
Sigurdur's Original Homestead - Ytri Neslond
Myvatn, Iceland