Steinþór Guðbjartsson

Eftir Steinþór Guðbjartsson
Ýtarlegar upplýsingar um Utah-farana í nýrri bók
NÆR 400 Íslendingar fluttu til Utah á árunum 1854 til 1914 og nú hefur David Alan Ashby gefið út nýja bók, Icelanders Gather to Utah 1854-1914, með ýtarlegum upplýsingum um þessa vesturfara og fjölskyldur þeirra.
David Ashby segir að tilgangurinn með útgáfu bókarinnar sé að leggja fólki í Utah af íslenskum ættum lið í því að tengjast uppruna sínum. Reyndar er unnið mjög öflugt starf á því sviði á vegum Íslenska félagsins í Utah (IAU), sem var stofnað 1897, og halda afkomendur íslensku Utah-faranna upprunanum hátt á lofti.
Þó nokkuð hefur verið skrifað um flutningana til Utah. David Ashby hefur með þessari bók endurbætt bókina Icelanders of Utah eftir LaNora Allred. Hann byggir líka á safni móður sinnar, Phyllis Higginson Ashby, sem var sagnfræðingur IAU um árabil. Við gerð bókarinnar naut hann aðstoðar Bliss Koyle Anderson, ættfræðings í Spanish Fork og fór í smiðju Hálfdáns Helgasonar sem heldur úti vef um íslenska vesturfara.
Bókin er rúmlega 150 síður í A4 stærð. Höfundur hennar gaf IAU upplagið og það sér um söluna. Eintakið kostar 18 dollara og flutningskostnaður til Íslands er 12 dollarar en pantanir má senda á eftirfarandi heimilisfang:

Icelandic Association of Utah
P.O. Box 874,
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 USA

Hálfdan Helgason

Just recently I received a copy of a book called Icelanders Gather to Utah 1854-1914.A great work of David Alan Ashby in Orem, Utah. For a long time La Nora Allred's book The Icelanders of Utah has been almost the only source of information regarding the Icelandic Mormons who went to Utah, but unfortunately in many ways both very brief and very incomplete and with far too many errors. Now David has dug deep for information and the result is a very comprehensive and accurate book which in the future will serve as a reliable start point for those descendants of the Icelandic Mormons in Utah who search for their roots as well as for Icelandic genealogists -and of course others - searching for the faith of those who left. Congratulations David!

Hálfdan Helgason - Reykjavík - Ísland

The book is available from
Icelandic Association of Utah Inc.
P.O.Box 874
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660.

For information write to: spforkicelander@hotmail.com.

Gerald Blaine Ashby

Gerald Blaine Ashby, son of Gerald & Phyllis Higginson Ashby, died December 5, 2008. Born July 25, 1938 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Graduated from S F High School, Seminary, & BYU. Married Carol Proctor in Manti Temple. They have two children, Steven, & Karen; a foster daughter, Irma Begay Tsosie; son Ernie Joe, deceased; five grandchildren, Alison, Stephanie, Shelly, Tyler, Sheri, four foster grandchildren, one foster great grandchild.

He treasured his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; served a mission to Denmark; enjoyed many callings and served in several Bishoprics, loving the people he worked with and those he served. He & Carol served a Family History Mission. He was a member of Kiwanis and served on the Icelandic Association Board. He retired from Geneva. Survived by family & siblings, David (Bonnie); Marilyn; Ann (Dennis) Gull; Garth (Kay); aunts, Karla (Dean) Holm; Gloria (LaMar) Ashby; LaVern (Ralph) Higginson.

Viewing will be held at Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main, December 12, 2008 from 6-8 p.m and one hour before funeral at church. Funeral will be December 13, 2008 11:00 a.m. at the church, 1661 S 1400 E, Spanish Fork. Burial in Spanish Fork Cemetery.

Thank you to medical providers, family, friends, and ward members.

Einar Magnússon

Einar Magnusson was born 7 February 1869 at Steinholt, Reykjavik, Gullbringu. His parents are Magnus Einarsson, born in 1842, died 20 July 1927; and Sigridur Gudmundsdottir, born 18 August 1831 in Gardar a Alftanes, Gullbringu, died 1885. Einar was five years old when his mother died. He then went to foster care with his Aunt Johanna Einarsdottir, the widow of Arni Thorsteinsson. He lived with Johanna until after confirmation, when he moved back to live with his father Magnus until his father immigrated to Utah in 1886.

Einar graduated from Seaman’s school in 1896. He was employed as ship’s captain for the next three years. He emigrated to Spanish Fork, Utah in 1899. He married Margret Sigurdardottir 10 September 1900. Margret was born 6 September 1875. Her parents are Sigurdur Asmundsson, born 25 July 1850, died 11 December 1913; and Thora Gudmundsdottir, born 15 May 1838, died 2 December 1921.

In 1902 Einar and Margret moved to Blaine, Washington and they were there for thirteen years. They then moved to Bellingham, Washington. Einar labored at both the cannery and sawmill. He was a sharp and inquisitive, widely read and he had a fine voice.

Einar and Margret had nine children: Gudmunda Jana, Kristinn, Sigridur Johanna, Einar, Thora, Asborg, Margret, Soley and Laufey. Einar went by Einar M. Einarsson in America. He is number 278 in Icelanders of Utah.