Holmfridur "Frida" (Vernhardsdottir) Helgason was the daughter of Vernhardur Helgason and Sigridur Bjarnadottir. She was born at or near Gaulverjabaer, Arnessysla, Iceland on August 23, 1839 and was baptized there on August 30, 1839. She married Teitur Teitsson, son of Teitur Helgason on November 9, 1866 in Stokkseyri, Arnessysla, Iceland. Teitur later took his father's last name Helgason. Teitur and Holmfrida were the parents of eight children:

-Sigurdur Teitsson or Siebert T. Helgason
-Ingvar Teitsson (son, died in Iceland)
-Elis Teitsson (son, died in Iceland)
-Gudrun Teitsdottir (daughter, born in Iceland & died March 22, 1873 in Iceland)
-Elisa Teitsdottir or Elizabeth "Eliza" (Helgason) Chambers
-Gertrude (Helgason) Baxter
-Christine Helgason
-Vernard Bernard Helgason.

Teitur and Holmfrida immigrated to America with their older children in July 1873 and arrived on Washington Island in 1874.

The following information was found in Ólafur S. Thorgeirsson's Almanac and was written by Arni Gudmundsen in 1900 regarding Bjorn's ancestry (this would also be the ancestry for Holmfrida).

"Björn says he is a direct descendant on his mother's side from Þangbrandi the bishop, and on his father's side from Egill Skallagrímsson."

The same source (Ólafur S. Thorgeirsson's Almanac) gives the following information about Teitur Teitsson's immigration and parentage.

1873 "Teitur Teitsson, harbor pilot from Eyrarbakka; his father was Teitur Helgason, also harbor pilot there. He left here [Washington Island] by 1887, and lives in Manitoba."

According to the 1900 and 1905 census, Holmfrida indicates that she and Teitur were divorced. In the 1901 Spy Hill, Assiniboia (east/est), The Territories, Canadian census, Teitur is listed as 'married', but living as a lodger with a Johnson family. And, in May 1904, a newspaper account from Washington Island mentions his ailing daughter Mrs. Don [Eliza] Chambers "visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Helgerson, on Washington Island for a few weeks." So, if they weren't divorced, it appears they were separated off and on.

Arni "Legrove" Gudmundsson (1844-1933) was a "nephew" of Holmfrida (per the 1900 census). Arnie was among the first group of men who came to Washington Island from Iceland in 1870 and lived with the Helagson family as early as 1880 when Holmfridur and her husband Teitur were still together. Researcher Willie Engelson (50154848) believes Arni and Holmfridur were companions rather than relatives. They lived in the same household for many years.
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"Death of Mrs. Hulgeson
Mrs. Hulgeson, one of the oldest residents of Washington island, age 84 years, died during the week. She came to the Island 40 years ago from Iceland, and had made her home here since. She is survived by three children, Severt, of Milwaukee; Vernie, of Fairport, Mich.; and Miss Christiana at home."
Door County Advocate 1923-09-14, pg 2
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On the eighth Mrs. Frida Helgason was taken. She was born in Iceland, August 23, 1809 [1839], and came to this country in July 1873 and to Washington Island in 1874 where she resided until her death at the ripe age of 84 years and 15 days. She was a very strong, healthy person, until recent years when she became blind and suffered very much with rheumatism. So she looked forward to the end as a time of relief.

She was the mother of eight children of which three survive, namely, Swent of Milwaukee, Vernie of Fayette, Mich., and Christine of this place. She was laid to rest in the cemetery at Washington Harbor Monday afternoon amidst a great profusion of flowers and a gathering of a goodly number of friends.

The children wish to thank the people of the island for the kindness and sympathy shown them and their mother.

Door County News; September 20, 1923; Pg 5, Col 3
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Siblings of Homfridur include:
- Jon Vernhardsson b: 11 Aug 1819
- Kristján or Chrsitian Vernhardsson b: 05 Oct 1823; m: Thorunn Haldorsdottir in 1850; d: 1898
- Gudrun Vernhardsdottir b: 03 Sep 1824
- Ragnheidur Vernhardsdottir b: 02 Oct 1825; m: Jon Jonsson in 1846; d: aft. 1870; two of their children came to America. They are: Hannes Johnson, Sr and Margaret Johnson Gunnerson-Sigurdson
- Elis Vernhardsdottir b: 01 Oct 1828; d: aft 1860
- Jon Vernhardsson b: 09 Mar 1832; d: bef 1840
- Sigridur Vernhardsdottir b: 10 May 1833; d: bef 1840
- Bjorn Vernhardsson (Bjorn Helgason) b: 29 Jul 1834; m: Chrsitina or Kristín Erlendsdóttir in 1867; d: 26 Apr 1913; He also immigrated to America and lived on Washington Island and later lived in Chicago. He took his father's last name Helgason sometime after coming to America.
- Sigridur Vernhardsdottir b: 29 Sep 1836; d: bef 1840 - twin of Helga
- Helga Vernhardsdottir b: 29 Sep 1836; d: bef 1840 - twin of Sigridur
- Holfridur Vernhardsdottir (of this memorial) b: 30 Aug 1839; m: Teitur Teitsson [Helgason] on 09 Nov 1866; divorced or separated before 1891; d: 08 Sep 1923
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Plot location by E Lennon on 11/17/2020

Holmfridur "Frida" (Vernhardsdottir) Helgason and Olafur Helgason are buried in the same Plot 001 22. According to Icelandic Roots they are 8th cousins.
Thank you to E Lennon (49219573) for researching the relationship. (11/2020)
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