Magnusson, Jon and Gudrun

File

Magnusson, Jon and Gudrun

• 1982-11-01 (Creation)

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.

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: Þuridur 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.