adopted shortly after birth, was 28 before she tracked down her birth mother.
Her birth mother gave Emilsdottir her birth certificate, which named her father, Henry Linwood Jackson.
“My nephew started looking for Henry,” she said.
Eventually, he contacted Native American genealogist Karen Vigneault, a member of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel in California who was profiled in an earlier VOA story. On Vigneault’s advice, Emilsdottir took a DNA blood test; they uploaded the results onto an online database and waited.
(PHOTO: Iceland covered the story too) (Karen Vigneault, an enrolled tribal member of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel and college and tribal librarian, has a face tattoo.)
(READ Long-lost Native American Sisters Reunite for a Joyous Thanksgiving)
Emilsdottir has returned to Iceland but is planning to return to Oklahoma in July 2019 for the “Encampment,” a pow wow the Otoe-Missouria tribe has held annually for more than 130 years. It’s an occasion for the tribe to sing, drum, dance and remember their history and traditions. And celebrate family, lost and found.
BIG READ: Long-lost Native American Sisters Reunite for a Joyous Thanksgiving
The reunion happened because of the tireless methodical work of librarian and tribal genealogist Karen Vigneault; she and I have worked together since 2013.
I learned yesterday that Karen has passed away in San Diego at her home.
She made miracles and reunions for adoptees, like these sisters.
It is impossible to put into words the impact she had on me and the lives of many adoptees she helped. She worked to find adoption records, tribal histories, family genealogy and find relatives that adoptees could contact and meet.
This loss is personal and devastating.
Not just to me but to readers of this blog who are still searching and hoping and waiting and wanting to find their families.
enjoyed this heartfelt tale & tribute 🙂
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XOXOX
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This post made me smile. I have a daughter living in Iceland 🙂
Warmest regards, Ed
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Ed, I’d like to go myself!
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I am woking on a trip later this year. Wish me luck in putting all the peices togehter.
Warmest regards, Ed
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Such a sad loss for you, Lara, and for all those she tirelessly helped too. But what an amazing legacy of kindness and care to leave behind.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It hasn’t really hit me yet. But it will.
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Sorry to hear about your loss, Lara. Healing and peace, to you, family and friends.
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Thank you so much Norman.
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Lara, may we all embody some of her spirit.
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Yes, Michael, that would be her gift to us.
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There is no greater legacy than a life well-lived. May her loss inspire others to action…
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Indeed KC. Indeed!
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Karen was a force of nature. Last time I visited with her was in 2012. I am proud to be her cousin (Mark LePage) for who she was.
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Mark, I give you my heartfelt sympathy. I miss her every single day. I miss her so much.
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A woman with some really noble deed.
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Countless adoptees she helped. It was noble work.
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That is a very nice eulogy. It sounds like a lot of people will be remembering Karen – she clearly touched a lot of lives!
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Thank you so much Sean. Karen was humble but heroic.
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Beautiful photographs :))
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It’s rare and beautiful to see the pairing of “miracle” with “tireless methodical work of librarian and tribal genealogist.” What a testament to sheer effort in performing miracles in people’s lives, and in inspiring others to do the same. Your sorrow is surely great, my friend. I hope your joy in knowing and working with Karen is great too.
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I am still processing, Laura. It will take time to grieve. I would tell her she was an angel and she’d laugh. But she truly was.
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inspiring story of a life well-lived.
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Thank you Professor.
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A story well done. I loved. You enjoy reading your blog.
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Thank you Macalder!
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