Harold & Dee Dee
Westdal
Carol married Martin McGeough in 1981. Martin was born June 15, 1955 in Saskatoon, SK. Carol has a B.Mus. and M.Sc. (Speech Language/Audiology) from the University of British Columbia and is a speech language pathologist with the Surry School Division. Martin has a B.Mus., B.Ed., and M. Ed., from the University of British Columbia and is a teacher and administrator in the Vancouver School Division. They have one son, James Westdal McGeough, born in 1991. They live in New Westminster, BC.
Neil married Judith (Judy) Poirier in 1989. Judy has born Jan. 31, 1959 in Kenora ON. After high school Neil joined a Winnipeg firm providing components to heavy equipment industries. He enrolled in Engineering at the University of Manitoba and later returned to the company and is presently a sales representative with Goodall Rubber. As an avocation, Neil has become an outstanding craftsman in woodworking and carpentry. Judy has an RN and BN (Nursing) from the University of Manitoba, and is a public health nurse with Manitoba Health. They have two children, Geoffrey Neil, born in 1991, and Gregory Jon, born in 1993. They live in the Fort Garry district of Winnipeg.
Harold’s paternal grandparents were Jón Jónsson Westdal (b. Sept. 30, 1856 in Iceland-d. Dec. 4, 1946 in Gimli MB), and Anna Kristrún Gunnlaugsdóttir (b. June 12, 1849 at Hofteigur in Jökudalur, Norður-Múlasýsla-d. May 6, 1910 in Wynyard SK). Anna Kristrún and Jón were married on Sept. 12, 1880 in Iceland. They lived first at Brú in Jökudalur, then moved to Grunnavatn, and then to Torfastaðir in Norður-Mulasýsla, the last place they resided before immigrating to Canada in 1904. They sailed from Vopnafjörður with their five children: Einar, Jakobína, Björgvin, Páll (Paul) (Harold’s father), and Grímur. They were among the earliest pioneers of the Wynyard district and farmed there for many years.
Harold’s maternal grandparents were Sveinn Nielsson (b. June 18, 1860 at Vogur in Mýrar) and Jónina Margrét Theodórsdóttir. They immigrated to Canada about 1885. Sveinn worked as a bookkeeper in Ashdown’s Department Store in Winnipeg. Their daughter, Helga (Sveinsdóttir) Nielsson was born in Winnipeg on Feb. 19, 1887. Jónina died in 1889 in Winnipeg. After her death Sveinn returned to Iceland with his daughter. In 1904, at the age of 17, Helga immigrated to Canada and found employment in Winnipeg. Her father, Sveinn, died in Iceland on Nov. 11, 1939.
Harold’s parents, Paul Jónsson Westdal and Helga Sveinsdóttir Nielsson were married on Nov.20, 1913 in Winnipeg. Paul brought Helga to Wynyard where they farmed until 1940, at which time they moved to Winnipeg. Paul and Helga had four children, Björgvin, Sveinn, Sigriður (See the Paul Stefansson Story), and Haraldur (Harold). Paul was born July 24, 1887 and died in Winnipeg on Dec. 4, 1970.
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