Sigurður Laxdal

Vesturfarar

The Íslendingadagurinn Committee in Gimli agreed in 1931 to honor all Icelanders in North America who had lived in the West for 50 years or more. Invitations were sent through the Icelandic weekly newspapers, Lögberg and Heimskringla, and everyone concerned was asked to send the committee’s secretary in Winnipeg, Davíð Björnsson, information about their date and year of birth, place of birth, year of departure from Iceland, date of arrival in America, an overview of the 50 years in the West as well as family interests. Those who were nearby were encouraged to attend the festival at Gimli and a reception was given there as special recognition. Those who did not attend received the recognition, a certificate of honor and a gold coin, sent by mail. In 1944, Lúðvík Laxdal wrote a letter to Davíð Björnsson and sent information about himself and his parents. This is what he wrote about his parents: (JÞ)

English version by Thor group.