Genealogy and Stamps? Few years ago the Icelandic Post issued stamps to commemorate the discovery of America 1000 years ago. The discovery is mentioned in two of the old Icelandic sagas. Eirik the Red's Saga and the Saga of the Greenlanders. Leifur the Lucky, son of Eirik the Red and Bjarni Herjólfsson are each said to have found three lands which were named Vineland, Forest Land and Slab Land. However, Eirik the Red's Saga says that Leif the Lucky (the 90 kr stamp) found Vineland before anyone else when he was on the way to Greenland in the year 1000.The most notable journey from the Icelandic settlement in Greenland was made in the very beginning of the 1100 century by Þorfinnur karlsefni (the 40 kr stamp) and his men. He sailed to Vineland with his wife Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir and planned to establish a settlement there. They dwelt there two to three winters. During that time a son was born to them, Snorri Þorfinnsson. He is the first European descendant to be born in America. If you are of Icelandic origin, you should be able to trace your ancestry to Snorri. Wouldn't these beautiful stamps be great items in your family book?! The souvenir sheet, as well as single stamps, are available at http://www.postur.is/ Please mention this site :-)

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