Why did Sigtryggur Jónasson choose Canada?
The Icelanders did not follow the same pattern of other European nations during the 19th century mass immigration to America. For example, they were the only ones opting for Canada instead of the United States. No one person can be singled out as having had more influence on this issue than Sigtryggur Jónasson. It raises the question why he chose Canada over the United States.
Keep in mind that when Sigtryggur arrived in Quebec on September 12, 1872, he had not being the busiest traveller in Eyjafjörður, all his countrymen already in North America had settled south of the border in the US. Still he opted for Canada. Þorsteinn Þ. Þorsteinsson says in his book Saga Íslendinga í Vesturheimi (Vol. II): “It appears his firm belief in the British Commonwealth had all to do with his choosing Canada even though he knew of his countrymen south of the border.”
Historian Bergsteinn Jónsson shares the same opinion in his book, “Til Vesturheims”. On Sigtryggur, he wrote: “The story is that he chose Canada as he would rather be a citizen in a country ruled by head of state chosen by God rather than one whose ruler was elected by citizens.”
The source of these comments on Sigtryggur Jónasson is probably found in the article on Sigtryggur, written by Rev. Friðrik J. Bergmann in Almanak in 1907. He said: “He had the highest respect for the British Commonwealth and felt it was best to live under its protection.”
In 1901 Sigtryggur gave a talk at a meeting of the Manitoba Historical and Scientific Society in City Hall in Winnipeg. Here he recalled the reasons he settled in Canada.
When he began the long voyage, he had not decided where he wanted to live in the West. He bought a fare to Quebec and planned to explore a bit in Canada before making a decision. This he clearly remembered.
In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, he befriended an elderly Scot who lived in Ontario and was returning home after visiting family and friends in Scotland. Before they ended their talk that day, the Scot gave Sigtryggur some advice for the future. One piece was to be careful drinking the water from the St. Lawrence river: it is recommended to always mix a wee bit of whiskey with the water.
Another piece of advice he offered Sigtryggur was to head straight for Ontario. There he would find the best lands, not only in Canada but in the entire North America.
Sigtryggur followed this advice and lived all his life in Canada, though only for a short while in Ontario. The story may have been totally different had he not met the old Scot on the ship across the Atlantic Ocean in September of 1872.
The above is based on research by the Icelandic Historian, Jón Hjaltason and his article “Af hverju fluttist Sigtryggur Jónasson til Kanada en ekki Bandaríkjanna?”. English version by Thor group