Magnus Thorkelson and Vigdis Gudmundsdóttir

A short story from Magnus B Magnus's notes:

Shortly after he (Magnus Thorkelson) married my grandmother (Vigdis Gudmundsdóttir), they moved to Audum a Vasleisu-Strond (waterless Strand), approximately 1859, into a turf house.   From there he tended fishing.  Vasleisu Strond was so called for its apparent lack of fresh water, though when the tide was out, there were pools of good spring water that was drawn and stored in barrels for household use and the animals.

Though they were not rich by any means, grandfather provided and grandmother found ample to give to the poor and needy.   To her mind, she was preparing for a place for her family and herself in the hereafter.

Sometimes her generosity exceeded all bounds.  One time grandfather came home to see a man he knew was better than they, riding off with a pack-horse laden with gifts and it angered him, so Grandmother curbed the giving for a spell.

There came however an old lady begging and grandmother sent her of with six cod, and as the old one left she turned and blessed grandmother and all her household, saying the Lord would bless her for her kindness, and if in fish, he would see to it that they were large ones.

Then shortly after six whales were stranded on grandfather's property, and friends and neighbours were invited to harvest the bounty.

Good fortune did come grandfather's way. One morning, after several days of stormy weather, the family rose to see a ship stranded on the reef out from the shore.   She bore the name James.  There was no one aboard and she was loaded with lumber.   Again, grandfather invited all to gather as much as they could, and he himself gathered enough as the ship broke up, to build a house stable and storage, also in the years that followed he built himself a fleet of small fishing boats, six in all.

The household grew from when he and grandmother married, and carried all their possession in a hand-barrow with their first born perched on top to a turf shanty, to near twenty members of serving girls, shore-men and sailors that lived with the family in the timbered and stone house.   Grandfather was a stone mason.

Some years later another ship met with nearly the same fate, only this time she was loaded with coal and had some of her crew aboard.  When the captain was forced to jetson some of the coal, grandfather had him put it on the reef. Literally he bought it on the sea bottom, and when the tide was out again, all within reach they salvaged what they could, and paid grandfather what they cold afford.

One such debt was to come in good many years later when after grandmother emigrated to Canada, an old neighbour from Iceland looked her up to pay her what he said he owned grandfather for the coal.  It came at a time when it was sorely needed.  Grandmother was a proud women and would not have taken charity.

Magnus Thorkelson - The Burning at Auðnum

Magnus Thorkelson (1830-1885) was the son of Thorkel Rafnson and Margaret Gudmundsdottir.  Magnus married Vigdis Gudmundsdottir (1834-1906), daughter of Gudmundur Gissarson (the watchman) and Ingibjorg Jonsdottir. Magnus and Vigdis had 8 children together Gumundur, Margret, Vigdis, Gudrun (1862-), Thorkel (1866-1955), Grimur (1870-), Ingibjorg (1871-1962), Björn (1876-1954). They lived at Grimsstudum for 18 years, then moved to Auðnum, Vatnsleysuströnd across the bay from Reykjavik.  They were there nine years until the fire at Auðnum.

Vigdis Gudmundsdottir and Magnus Thorkelson

Magnus B Magnus records note that Magnus Thorkelson worked as a seafaring, outfitted his own ship and was counted a capable man. He was held in high esteem as may be seen when he was chosen to sit on a committee for the underprivileged, when it was first formed in Reykjavik in 1872.  He held this position till 1877, then he moved to Auðnum on the Vatnsleysuströnd, as he felt it was a better site for his undertakings. 

  

On the evening of October 2nd, 1885, a tragedy took place at Auðnum. Magnus Thorkelson died when his house caught fire and he did not escape.  Reports state that he was rescuing entrusted accounts out of his burning house, but failed to get out himself. Others of his household escaped unharmed.  Vigdis and their children were left homeless. In 1887, Vigdis decided to go to America with five of her children, Gudrun, Thorkel (Charlie), Grimur (Jim), Ingibjörg and Bjorn, and grandson Sigurdur (Sam). They came to America on the ship Romney.  

By then, the three oldest children were married, Gudmundur (father of Sigard), Margret was married to Sigurdur Sigurdsson. They had three children and later immigrated to Canada.  Vigdis was married to Gudmund Thorareinson, and had two children. 

Kristleifur Thorsteinsson wrote the following :

At Auðnum were two dwellings when I first came there. Both farms had timber houses and they were rather small and plain in all. A little distance was between these houses.   In the farther house lived Magnus Thorkelson and his wife Vigdis. Magnus was big and manly and noted for his strength. He had black wavy hair and dark whiskers. His face was not fleshy and his jowles were smooth. He was firm mouthed with compressed lips. Coarsely big he was not, but he stood out among average men, both in stamina and temperament. Little had these neighbors in common at Auðnum, but they were good neighbors. The other neighbor was Gudmundur Gudmonson. It did happen that they refreshed themselves with wine and there was making of fists, but it never lasted the day.

In the fall of 1885 flared up fire in Magnus’ house. A shed was built to the house that had hay and various articles stored and the fire started there and quickly caught the rest of the house. It was at night time. The people all got out.  The fire was so wild that the house filled quickly with smoke, as it was impossible to save clothing or household goods. Magnus still sought to enter and toss out the window anything he could reach. He was asked not to take these chances, but entered through the fire and smoke, where the hand could not be seen for the smothering smoke.  There had now gathered many people to the rescue, but all stood helpless. Sigudur Thorlaksson (workman) of Gudmundur was there with the others, he was an agile man and quick to act but rather small and moderate in strength. He broke a window in the house and got Magnus to it for a moment, he slid in and tried to get him by the hair and was going to pull him out, but Magnus broke loose and re-entered the burning and there he died.  After a little while the house and all in was levelled to the ground. A bearable turf house was build up on or close to where the house had stood, in the fall, and there stayed Vigdis, Magnus’s widow with some of the children for the winter.   I came to them there and found it very depressing to see the burned house and that big greater man of hers dead in such a horrible way.   

Misfortune did not come singly for those who lived after, Gudmundur oldest son of this couple had a mental breakdown and caused his own death by a gun shot.  He was well past 20 and a robust man. Both father and son were foreman and each had their own ship and were the main support of the home in full bloom when the big tragedy happened and completely destroyed the home. Never was Magnus Thoreklson’s house rebuilt and never has there been two dwellings at Auðnum since the burning.  

Gudmundur Gissarson - The Watchman

Magnus B. Magnus wrote about his great grandfather, Gudmundur Gissarson, the watchman (Vaktara). Gudmundur was the sole police force in Reykavik in his day. He carried a staff for lighting the street lamps, a lantern, and a cudgel to enforce the law, and over his watch he called out weather conditions, tides, and the alls well, on the hour. He was said, to have on occasion settled minor disputes when neither party could reach a peaceful solution, by banging their heads together.

When more serious offences were committed, he acted in the capacity of sheriff and brought the offenders to the Governor General, and so the Danish court of law.

On one such occasion, he was obliged to take his own son and other relatives to justice, for brawling and injuring several Danish sailors. Gudmundur went before the court and paid the fines that were levied, and was said to have remarked as he paid, that had never paid a sum more gladly. Gudmundur had on other occasions been to court to pay for free trading with English merchantmen, and other ships which came and stood out in international waters to trade. An act that was strongly frowned on by the Danish government. The picture left, we understand, is a picture of Gudmundur, that was published in a geographic, reportably of a portrait in Denmark.

Icelandic Line starting with Magnus Helgasson

Ingibjörg Hordal Thorsteinsdottir (circa 1890)

Magnus Helgasson
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Gissar Magnusson
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Gudmundur Gissarson married Ingibjorg Jonsdottir. Their daughter was Vigdis Gudmundsdottir.
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Vigdis Gudmundsdottir (1834-1908) married Magnus Thorkelson (1830-1885). Vigdis and Magnus had eight children. One of their sons was Björn Magnusson.
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Björn Magnusson (1876-1954) married Ingibjörg Hordal Thorsteinsdottir (1874-1960) (confirmation photo left). Björn and Ingibjörg had two children. (Magnus. B. Magnus and Margret Ingibjorg Ragnahildur Magnus)
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Magnus B. (Barney) Magnus (1912-2008) married Annie Elizabeth Cobb (1915-1989). Barney and Annie had 4 children. - Margaret, Dianne, Brian and Mark.
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Margaret Magnus (1940-2016) married Johann Paulson (1931-1997). Margaret and Johann had two children.

One of our Icelandic lines starts with Olaf

Several of my ancestors originated from Iceland. One line starts with Olaf.

Olaf , he had a son Rafn.
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Rafn Olafson, he had a son Thorkel.
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Thorkel Rafnsson married Margaret Gudmundsdottir. They had a son Magnus.
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Magnus Thorkelson (1830-1885) married Vigdis Gudmundsdottir (1834-1908). Magnus and Vigdis had eight children. One of their sons was Björn Magnusson.
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Björn Magnusson (1876-1954) married Ingibjörg Hordal Thorsteinsdottir (1874-1960). Björn and Ingibjörg had two children. (Magnus. B. Magnus and Margret Ingibjorg Ragnahildur Magnus - pictured left)
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Magnus B. (Barney) Magnus (1912-2008) married Annie Elizabeth Cobb (1915-1989). Barney and Annie had 4 children. One of their daughters was Margaret.
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Margaret Magnus (1940-2016) married Johann Paulson (1931-1997). Margaret and Johann had two children.

Picture: Margret Ingibjorg Ragnahildur Magnus with her brother Magnus B. Magnus (circa 1920)

Annie Elizabeth Cobb

Annie Cobb was born on June 22, 1915 to Elizabeth Thomason and James Pile Cobb.

In the book "Wagon to Wings" it has been recounted that "when Annie was a toddler Jim carved a doll for her from a piece of oak left over from the alter railing of the Presbyterian Church he had helped build 20 years before. It was a plain doll, without arms, but it had two movable legs and a head of thick brown hair, cut from a piece of buffalo robe. No china doll could have been more adored than "Susan" and though dilapidated she is still cherished by her owner. The doll shown left is now in my collection.

Annie married Magnus B. Magnus in 1939, and they settled in Keewatin, Ontario and raised their four children (Margaret, Mark, Brian and Dianne). In later years, Magnus (Barney) and Annie moved to British Columbia. Annie passed away October 1989.

Pictures: top left - Annie, Lena with their mother Elizabeth Thomason (circa 1921) ; middle left - doll made by James Cobb and given to Annie; bottom right - Magnus B. Magnus and Annie Cobb's wedding day (1939).

Reference : Wagons to Wings - History of Lundar and Districts 1872-1980. Compiled by Lundar and DistrictHistorical Society Lundar, Manitoba.

Magnus B. Magnus

Magnus B. Magnus was born November 16, 1912 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His parents were Björn Magnusson and Ingibjörg Hordal Thorsteinsdottir, whose families were part of the original Icelandic immigrants to Canada.

Magnus wrote about his trapping life from the years 1923-1935. He wrote in the forward of his memories "My inoculation with the serum of the wilderness was at the tender age of five, when Dad preparing to go hunting or trapping, or in cleaning for his guns, used to hold his heavy old 45-70 Marlin across his knee and allow me to "dry shoot", instructing me on holding and sighting in. "

 "I lived for the day when I too would own a gun and hunt. At the age of nine, I got my wish, a Hamilton 22 breakdown single shot, and my hunting days started." In the years that followed, Magnus continued to love the wilderness, and spent many days with his father hunting and trapping in Canada's north. While on the trails, he would carve, and later in life, he took to painting about his life in the North.

Magnus wrote many stories about his times trapping and hunting. Over time, some of these stories will be told here.

In 1939, Magnus married Annie Elizabeth Cobb of Clarkleigh, Manitoba. They settled in Keewatin, Ontario and raised their four children. (Margaret, Dianne, Mark and Brian).  Later Magnus and Annie moved to British Columbia. After Annie passed away in 1989, Magnus remarried Constanance. Magnus passed way March 2008.

Bjorn Magnusson

Bjorn Magnusson was born July 5, 1876 at Grimstadum near Reykjavik. His father was Magnus Thorkelson. His mother was Vigdis Gudmond's daughter (Gudmondsdottir).

My grandfather Magnus B. Magnus recounted many stories, and he noted that his father, "Bjorn Magnusson had a genealogy count that dated back to Thormunds Heljarskinns. That history was lost in the fire at Audnum. On the night of the fire, Bjorn escaped the fire dressed only in a nightshirt, and his father died saving others. In 1887, Bjorn, with his mother and siblings went to America."

It has been said that Bjorn worked hard for Iceland's reforestation. "He longed to put forth his best effort and sought out the head in the patriotic league and put before them valid reasons why they should help to clothe Iceland from shore to mountain with forest. Yet nothing came of it. It may have been he took the wrong approach, but his purpose was sincere."

"Bjorn sought to fight erosion and to save his Motherland from blowing away. Bjorn sent home some seed from Canada, and corresponded with those who stood foremost in forestry in Iceland. An article in the Forestry year book noted in 1950 "It is to be said that a western Icelander, one named Bjorn Magnusson who had a burning desire to aid reforestation in Iceland and he had written several articles, contacted influential men and though unable to help financially his efforts has no doubt encouraged and sped up the establishment of the Reforestation Co. of Iceland."

"Bjorn Magnusson was an adventurer, his occupations were hunting, fishing and prospecting. The gold fever took him in 1898, and he was of a strong mind to go to the Klondike and he marshalled his resources, but to the Klondike gold rush he did not go, fate took him instead east to where he found not gold, but met his wife to be and has counted it the most fortunate to have happened, for a good women was more of a find than all the gold in the world. "

"On December 31, 1899, Bjorn married Ingibjorg Thorstein's daughter. In his diary he wrote "I learned to read English after I married Ingibjorg. I have lived an outdoors mans life trapping, hunting, fishing and prospecting, the needs of which taught me to build my own boats. Then others saw them and wanted similar boats, so I got into boat building and from there into house construction. I worked for a local firm and as foreman built ten houses. Then on my own I built 85 houses in Winnipeg up to 1932. Bjorn built a shack near Lake Winnipeg, 24 miles north of Riverton, there he tended both hunting and fishing."

Björn and Ingibjörg Magnusson 

Bjorn and Ingiborg's marriage was as happy one. They had two children, Magnus and Margret. Bjorn passed away January 24, 1954, and he rests in Kenora, Ontario.



Information from "The Magnus Family History" - M.B. Magnus

Vigdis Gudmundsdottir - A brave early settler

Vigdis Gudmundsdottir

Vigdis Gudmundsdottir was born December 29, 1834. At 19 she married Magnus Thorkelson, and they lived at Grimsstudum, Iceland for 18 years, then moved to Auðnum, Vatnleysastrund (across the bay from Reykjavik).


Through family records (my grandfather Magnus B. Magnus), verbal stories and historical archives I have been able to capture part of her life below:
Vigdis and Magnus had eight children who lived to adulthood.

Vidgis and Magnus lived in Auðnum for nine years, until a fire changed their lives.  Unfortunately, her husband Magnus perished in a house fire on October 2, 1885

In 1887, with tremendous strength and bravery, Vigdis gathered her family and moved to Canada to start a new life in a new country.






She went to America with her children Thorkel (Charlie), Grimur (Jim), Ingibjorg, Gudrun, Bjorn, and her grandson Sigurdur (Sam / Siggi Magnusson). Records indicate that they arrived on the ship Romney.  

Magnus and Vigdis children:

• Margaret, stayed in Iceland, married Sigurdur Sigurdsson and had three children (she later came to Canada);
• Gudmundur, father of Sigurdur (Sam), died in Iceland and Vigdis fostered Sam and brought him to Canada with her;
• Vigdis (daughter), had two children;
• Gudrun married Sigudur Sigurdson and had 7 children;
• Thorkel (Charlie) married Palina Hjalmarsdottir (no children); 
• Grimur (Jim) married Elin Arnason and had eleven children;
• Ingibjorg married Thomas Johnson (no children);
• Bjorn married Ingibjörg Hordal Thorsteinsdottir and had two children.

Vigdis settled in Arnes, New Iceland. Later she lived with her son Jim at his homestead near Ideal P.O. Shoal Lake where she died in 1908.