Overview of the Collection
|
| |
Repository Name:
|
|
Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library
Scandinavian
Immigrant Experience Collection
Archives and Special Collections
Department
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA, 98447
253-535-7586
Email:archives@plu.edu
http://www.plu.edu/archives
|
| |
Collection Number:
|
|
t202
|
|
| |
Creator:
|
|
Magnusson, Jon and Gudrun
|
|
| |
Title:
|
|
Jon and Gudrun Magnusson Oral History Interview
|
|
| |
Dates:
|
|
1982 (inclusive)
|
|
| |
Quantity:
|
|
3 file folders
8 photographs
1 sound cassette
|
|
| |
Languages:
|
|
English
|
| |
Summary:
|
|
An oral history interview with Jon Magnusson and his wife Gudrun, both Icelandic
immigrants.
|
| |
Biographical Note
Jon Magnusson was born on October 1, 1886 in Myrasysla, Iceland to Magnus Gudmundsson and Thuridur
Jonasdottir. Jon had two older siblings, Gudmundur and Ragnheidur, and when Jon was eight months old, the family
immigrated to America. Unfortunately, his father died of heatstroke in New York, and the rest of the family was
deported back to Iceland. Gudmundur was sent to a boys' home, Ragnheidur was taken in by a very nice family, and Jon
was allowed to remain with his mother. In 1913, Jon and his mother immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jon did carpentry
work for three years in Winnipeg, during which time he met his wife, Gudrun Lindal.
Gudrun's parents were Icelandic and she was born in Langenburg, Saskatchewan on October 30, 1891.Gudrun was a
teacher in Saskatchewan and was spending her summer vacation in Winnipeg with her aunt, from whom Jon was renting a
room. After that summer, Jon did not see Gudrun again until 1920. In 1916, Jon moved to Seattle, Washington, where his
brother lived. After Gudrun came to Seattle to care for her ailing sister, she and Jon corresponded for one year. They
were married in Winnipeg and then moved to Ballard, Washington. They had three children: Robert, Anna, and Florence.
Gudrun learned to read and write Icelandic while Jon's mother, who never learned English, lived with them. The
Magnussons were very involved in Seattle's Icelandic community. They attended the Icelandic Church and were members of
the Icelandic Literary Society Vestri. Jon and Gudrun have also maintained Icelandic traditions within their household,
particularly Icelandic cooking. They returned to Iceland once in 1963.
Lineage
Full Name: Jon Magnusson. Father: Magnus Gudmundsson. Mother: Ãuridur Jonasdottir. Paternal Grandfather: Rev.
Jon Magnusson. Brothers and Sisters: Gudmundur Magnusson, Ragnheidur Magnusson. Spouse: Gudrun Lindal. Children: Robert
Skuli, Anna Lind Hodgson, Florence Ingibjørg, Sigga Lindal (adopted niece). Full Name: Gudrun Lindal Magnusson. Maiden
Name: Gudrun (Runa) Ingibjørg Lindal. Father: Jakob Lindal Hansson. Mother: Anna Hannesdottir. Paternal Grandfather:
Hans Natansson. Paternal Grandmother: Kristin Thorvardardottir. Maternal Grandfather: Hannes Throvardarson. Maternal
Grandmother: Holmfridur Jonsdottir. Brothers and Sisters: Gudmundur Magnusson, Ragnheidur Magnusson. Spouse: Gudrun
Lindal. Children: Robert Skuli, Anna Lind Hodgson, Florence Ingibjørg, Sigga Lindal (adopted niece).
Full Name: Gudrun Lindal Magnusson. Maiden Name: Gudrun (Runa) Ingibjørg Lindal. Father: Jakob Lindal
Hansson. Mother: Anna Hannesdottir. Paternal Grandfather: Hans Natansson. Paternal Grandmother: Kristin
Thorvardardottir. Maternal Grandfather: Hannes Throvardarson. Maternal Grandmother: Holmfridur Jonsdottir. Brothers and
Sisters: Agost Lindal (August), Hannes Lindal, Hansina Kristin Lindal, Valdimar Lindal (Walter), Benedikt Johann
Lindal, Gudbrandur Skuli Lindal, Jakob Lindal, Holmfridur Anna (Freda) Lindal, Magdalena Helga Lindal, Rosalind Lindal,
Hans Peter Lindal. Spouse: Jon Magnusson.
Content Description
This interview was conducted with Jon and Gudrun Magnusson on November 1, 1982 at Foss Home in Seattle,
Washington. It contains information on their family background, emigration, marriage and family, the Icelandic Literary
Society Vestri, and Icelandic traditions. The interview also includes family histories written by Jon and Gudrun, a
copy of the Icelandic Club Newsletter that announces the 95th and 90th birthdays of Jon and Gudrun, and photographs of
Jon and Gudrun's wedding day, the house that Jon built on NW 70th in Seattle, four generations of the Magnusson family,
Jon and Gudrun on their 60th wedding anniversary, and Jon and Gudrun at the time of the interview. The interview was
conducted in English.
Administrative Information
Custodial History The Oral History collection project was started during an experimental course on Scandinavian Women in the
Pacific Northwest. Students in the course were encouraged to interview women and learn about their experiences as
immigrants to the United States. The project was continued and expanded with support from the president's office and by
grants from the L.J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, from the Joel E. Ferris Foundation and the Norwegian
Emigration Fund of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project was directed by Dr. Janet E. Rasmussen.
The collection was transferred to the Archives and Special Collections Department.
Processing Note The interview was conducted by Inger Nygaard Carr using a cassette recorder. A research copy was also prepared
from the original. To further preserve the content of the interview, it is now being transferred to compact disc. We
deliberately did not transcribe the entire interview because we want the researchers to listen to the interviewee's own
voice. The transcription index highlights important aspects of the interview and the tape counter numbers noted on the
Partial Interview Transcription are meant as approximate finding guides and refer to the location of a subject on the
cassette/CD. The recording quality is good.
The collection was transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access The oral history collection is open to all users.
Restrictions on Use There are no restrictions on use.
Related Information
Bibliography
Rasmussen, Janet Elaine.New Land New Lives: Scandinavian immigrants to the Pacific Northwest.Tacoma, Washington:University of Washington Press.1993
Additional Reference Guides
Subjects
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials
about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
|
| |
| Gudmundsson, Magnus |
| Hodgson, Anna
(Magnusson) |
| Ingibjørg, Florence
(Magnusson) |
| Jonasdottir, Ãuridur |
| Magnusson, Gudrun |
| Magnusson, Jon and
Gudrun--Interviews (creators) |
| Magnusson, Robert |
| Lindal family |
| Magnusson family |
| Calvary Lutheran Church (Seattle,
Wash.) |
| Hallgrim's Congregation (Seattle,
Wash.) |
| Vestri -- (Icelandic Literary
Society) |
| Langenburg (Sask.) |
| Mýrasýsla (Iceland) |
| Seattle (Wash.) |
| Winnipeg (Man.) |
| Christmas |
| Emigration and immigration |
| Family -- Iceland |
| Icelandic-Americans--Northwest,
Pacific--Interviews |
| Icelandic-Americans--Social life and customs |
| Marriage service |
| Naturalization |
| Oral histories |
| Carpenters |
| Teachers |
| New Land New Lives: Scandinavian immigrants to the Pacific
Northwest |
Detailed Description of the Collection
The partial interview transcription highlights important aspects of the interview. Numbers may be used as
guides to important subjects. Two numbers separated by a slash indicate that the first number is for cassette and the
second for CD.
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
020:
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Name - Jon Magnusson. Born October 1, 1886. He was born in Myrasysla, Iceland which is not very far from
Reykjavik and Borgarnes. Myrasysla is in the country. They were both from Myrasysla county. His father was a farmer and
raised cattle and hay. They also had sheep.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
185:
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
He has a brother Gudmundur and a sister Ragnheidur.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
217:
TO AMERICA
First came to America with his parents when he was 8 months old . His father died after one day in New
York. This was in August and he died of sunstroke. His mother was sent back.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
275:
TO AMERICA SECOND TIME
Came when he was 26 in 1913. He came to Winnipeg, Canada. He came over on a big ocean liner and wasn't
sick.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
309:
WINNIPEG
He knew the carpenter trade and got a job finishing apartments. He stayed there for three years. His
mother came too. His brother came earlier in 1912. His sister stayed in Iceland. His brother was in Washington State.
After 3 years, Jon came to Seattle, Washington.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
405:
SEATTLE
He worked doing carpentry work in Seattle.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
425:
WIFE
Met her in Winnipeg, Canada. Her name was Gudrun Lindal. She was a schoolteacher.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
450:
ICELANDIC ORGANIZATIONS
There were lots of organizations in Winnipeg and he worked with Icelandic people.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
462:
LEARNING TO SPEAK ENGLISH
He picked it up at work. He didn't go to school except for a little night school.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
477:
CITIZENSHIP
It wasn't difficult. He studied a little bit.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
495:
MEETING HIS WIFE
When he came to Winnipeg in 1913 with his mother he rented a room with Gudrun's aunt. Gudrun was also
there spending her summer vacation from teaching in Saskatchewan. This how they got acquainted. He didn't see her for
10 years after this.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
544:
SEATTLE
He came to Seattle in 1916 and they bought a house in Ballard. In 1920, her sister, Kristine Youel (?)
became ill and Gudrun came to Ballard to care for her. The next day Jon came to visit. He took her on a tour of the
area. After she left, they started corresponding for a whole year. That was their courtship.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
617:
MARRIAGE
They were married in Winnipeg. It was at her brother's home. She had a white dress and veil. They took
the train that night to Vancouver, BC where they stayed for 4 days. When they were in Vancouver they were the
attendants for her older sisters wedding.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
664:
BALLARD
They lived with his mother there. His mother died in 1939. She lived with them for 18 years.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
680:
ICELANDIC ACTIVITIES
She talks about the formation of the Icelandic church in Ballard.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
697:
WHY HE CAME TO SEATTLE
Work was poor in Canada at that time. He likes Seattle better.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
730:
SEATTLE
There were quite a few Icelandic people in Seattle. He went to the Icelandic church were he was a
trustee.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
745:
VESTRI
Icelandic Social Club. They had the books for its library for 28 years. This group ended in 1965 when no
one offered to take responsibility for the books when they moved to a different house and no longer had room for the
library n their home. The group was called the Icelandic Literary Society Vestri and was founded in 1900 and in 1965 it
was disbanded. Most of the books are in Icelandic and there wasn't enough call for them anymore. They were sold and or
given to various libraries. The generations following don't read Icelandic and there is a lot of English literature in
Iceland now.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
835:
Gudrun learned to read and write in Icelandic in her home. When she married Jon, his mother never learned
English so they used Icelandic.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
844:
CHILDREN
The older two learned Icelandic, but quit using it when they went to school. They can still understand
it. Robert is the oldest and was in WWII. (Continues at I-985.)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
875:
JON'S RETIREMENT
After he retired he kept on building some furniture. He kept some for himself and gave some to his
children.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
892:
VISITS TO ICELAND
He and his wife went in 1963. Iceland has improved in every way. The manners of the people, the schools,
and the university have improved. They have modern conveniences.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
945:
LIFE IN ICELAND
His mother worked for farmers and was allowed to keep Jon with her. He did chores to earn his keep. When
he was 16 he moved to Reykjavik to learn a trade. He rented a house there. Later his mother joined him and kept house
for him and from there they left for Canada. His sister was legally adopted by some very fine people that she never
left. His brother was sent to a boys home. When he was about 10 he started to work for himself and take care of
himself. In 1912, he emigrated to the US. Then Jon came in 1913.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
985:
CHILDREN
The three children are all university graduates. Robert had to stop in the middle to go to WWII. He came
back and finished his studies and became an Executive Vice President of the Sellen Construction Company in Seattle. He
married Dorothy McQuillian (?) of Seattle. They have one son, Jon, and he has two sons. Anna is married to Thomas
Hodgson. She graduated from the University of Washington and started working for schools. They have three children:
Marla is a teacher in Seattle; Kevin is a Chemical Engineer for the Weyerhaeuser Company; and Sally is in her second
year at the University in Bellingham. Florence Ingibjorg graduated from PLC and married a man named Reep. They have
three children: Karen who is school nurse; David who is a graduate of PLU; and Robert went to Eastern Washington
University at Cheney, Washington.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
1080:
ICELANDIC FOODS
They had rice cooked in milk with currents in. Skyr which a pudding made from buttermilk. They also have
a lot of boiled fish. Pannekaker (?) are real thin pancakes served rolled with sugar, jam, or berries inside.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
010:
ICELANDIC FOODS
Hangikjøt is smoked mutton which is served cold. They used brown, whole wheat, bread with molasses. This
bread can be steamed or baked. Hard fish is cod which is dried hard so that you had to break or chew a piece off. This
was considered a delicacy. Wienerkake (vineterta) was the chief coffeecake which was like cookie dough baked in cake
pans. There were layers with prune jam in between the dough. Then once they were put together it was left to soften and
later served with whipped cream.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
160:
ICELANDIC TRADITIONS
The children cook some of these things and keep the recipes.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
195:
CHRISTMAS TIME IN ICELAND
Sometimes they had a tree. They had a few presents.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
225:
SPOKEN ICELANDIC
Iceland has a woman president. He says a ditty in Icelandic about the names of animals.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
287:
ANIMALS IN ICELAND
Chickens, ponies, cows, cod, haddock, halibut, and all kinds of smaller fish.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
302:
FATHER
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
309:
GRANDFATHER
He was a farmer. His name was Gudmundur Teidsson (?). This was Jon's paternal grandfather. His paternal
grandmother was Ragnheidur Jonasdottir (?).
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
333:
MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS
Jonas Jonsson (?) and Gudrun.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
340:
NAMES
All the women keep their father's name with dottir at the end. The woman is always someone's
daughter.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
364:
CHRISTMAS IN CANADA
Gudrun tells what a wonderful time Christmas was for them on the farm. There were 12 in her family. Her
older brother started in November to make the tallow candles. They used bottles for candleholders. Every child got a
candle to walk around with. They didn't have a tree. Christmas began at 6 o'clock on Christmas Eve and everyone had to
stop working. They always had something special to eat like pannekaker (?), brown bread, the layer cake and smoked
mutton. They were allowed to stay up as late as they could. Christmas Eve was the holy day and Christmas Day was
another good day. They had some presents and one time she got a doll with a china head. They enjoyed what they got.
This was in the early immigrant days in Saskatchewan, Canada.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
480:
CHURCH
When they could reach church they would go for Christmas. Sometimes there would be services held in the
schoolhouse.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
495:
GUDRUN'S FATHER'S IMMIGRATION
They came to Canada in 1887 with 4 children. Gudrun was born in 1891. They came from Hanavatnsysla,
Iceland which was in the west. Her father was a farmer. They came to Winnipeg, Canada were they stayed for three years.
Then they moved to the country in Saskatchewan were Gudrun was born.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
542:
REASONS FOR EMIGRATION
Her father wasn't happy with the work that he had. He wanted to try something new. He was very ambitious.
He was interested in a different country. He was interested in education and world affairs.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Cassette Counter
564:
TRIP TO US
It was a slow trip to cross the ocean. It took six days.
|
|
|
|