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Birth: 31 July 1834 Vestmannaeyjar, Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, Southern, Iceland

Death: 15 July 191 3Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA

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Birth Place of John: Vestmannaeyjar is a small archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland, known in English as the Westman Islands.

• Vestmannaeyjar – This refers to the islands themselves, the largest of which is Heimaey, where most of the population lives.

• Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla – This was a historical county in southern Iceland, now part of the Suðurland (Southern Region). While the county divisions are mostly historical, they still appear in records.

• Southern, Iceland – Refers to the modern Suðurland region, encompassing the southern part of the country.

Key Facts:

• Location: ~7.4 km (4.6 miles) off the south coast of Iceland.

• Access: Reachable by ferry from Landeyjahöfn (about 2 hours from Reykjavík) or by plane from Reykjavík.

• Famous for: The 1973 volcanic eruption of Eldfell, puffin colonies, and fishing industry.

So, Vestmannaeyjar, Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, Southern Iceland refers to the Westman Islands located just off the southern mainland coast of Iceland, historically administered under Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla.

Parents:   Gudlaugur Eyjolfsson & Infivjorg Ingimundsdottur

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Born:   1835    Ketilstadir, Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, Iceland

Death: 1915    Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA

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Birth Pace  1835  Ketilstadir, Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, Iceland

Ketilstaðir (sometimes spelled Ketilstadir) is a farm and small locality within the Vestur‑Skaftafellssýsla region in southern Iceland. Here's a detailed breakdown:

• Region: Vestur‑Skaftafellssýsla, South Iceland — an administrative area lying roughly between the villages of Vík í Mýrdal and Kirkjubæjarklausturmappr.co+15is.geoview.info+15facebook.com+15iceland.worldplaces.me+2facebook.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

• Coordinates: approximately 66.167° N, 17.217° W tageo.com.

• Elevation: about 35 m above sea level, situated on lowland terrainen.wikipedia.org+2is.geoview.info+2utgafa.ni.is+2.

🌍 Location context

Ketilstaðir lies east of Vík í Mýrdal, tucked beneath the southern slopes of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier (home to the Katla volcano). This area forms part of Iceland’s rugged southern coastline—a mix of black volcanic sand plains, low-lying hills, and glacial outwash.

If you're traveling via Route 1 (the Ring Road), you'll pass near Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur. From there, minor roads and tracks lead southeast towards farms like Ketilstaðir, set amid peaceful agricultural landscapes.

In summary:

• What: Small farm/place

• Where: South Iceland, in the Vestur‑Skaftafellssýsla district

• Coordinates: ~66.17 N, 17.22 W

• Elevation: ~35 m

Parents:  Jon Skulason & Steinunn Thorsteinsdottir

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Born: 18 Jan 1850   Hvammur, Holtastaðasókn, Austur-Húnavatnssýsla, Iceland

 Death: 31 Jan 1941 Taber, Alberta, Canada

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🌍 Location details

• It’s situated in a valley west of Tindastóll mountain, nestled in the broader Skagi peninsula areavidiani.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15en.wikipedia.org+15.

• The site of Hvammur served historically as a vicarage and church, dedicated to Saint Ólaf, under the former Sauðárkrókur parish icelandreview.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9.

• Coordinates are approximately 65.583° N, 20.067° W en.wikipedia.org+3tageo.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.

🏞️ Context and Significance

• The farm is now abandoned, though remnants of the church and settlement remain part of the cultural landscapeviking.archeurope.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.

• It’s historically tied to early Icelandic settlers, including figures like Eilífur örn Atlason, and played a spiritual/community role in the region worldometers.info+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.

• Nearby is Keta, another church site affiliated historically with Hvammur, located on the east side of Skagi and active seasonally tageo.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.

📋 Summary

What:  Abandoned farm + former church/vicarage site

Where: Laxárdalur valley, Skagafjörður County, Austur‑Húnavatnssýsla

Coordinates:  ~65.583° N, 20.067° W

Context:  West of Tindastóll, historic settlement, church dedicated to St. Ólaf