Family Reunions

Edith Wagner talks about the links between family reunions and family history.

The first Mororshead/Morhead/Morshead family gathering was held in Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1996. The common link of the various parts of he family was in the early 1600s in Cornwall, England. Three “photo opportunities” were organized during the event.

Family History at the Reunion
If you are not the reunion organizer, you may be the historian/ genealogist/story-teller. Share your passion for research and reverence for the past. At the reunion you can display your family tree and documents, historical charts, yearbooks, memory books, albums, historical documents and computer printouts.

What better place than your family reunion to share the fruits and triumphs of your genealogical passion? Your family is the logical audience for your endeavors. Every member of every generation can relate to the outcome of your genealogical research which is, after all, their history too. There are many varied and fascinating ways to incorporate genealogy into your reunion.

A family reunion is a living legacy. It emphasizes the importance of everyone’s connection and related background. Reunions are an opportunity to celebrate your family’s history, ethnicity and legends. Plan reunion activities that focus on your research. Your family history, stories, traditions, customs and relationships are all subjects to develop into presentations, displays, exhibits and activities at your reunion.

Each of the Busse ancestors had his or her own display of history, artifacts and pictures at the family’s reunion. The Guiness World Book gave the Busse reunion the record for largest family; 2,500 family members were present. (author photo)

Style shows are a way to engage many family members and demonstrate an aspect of history that might otherwise be seen only in history books. If someone has unearthed trunks or boxes of period clothing, this is a perfect use for them. All ages can participate. Adult clothes offer an opportunity for teenagers and young adults to play dress-up and show off ancestors’ finery or work duds. An attic or closet discovery isn’t always necessary because many people love to hunt for period treasures in resale shops. Remember that, to younger members, clothes from the 1940s through 1970s are “period costumes,” and many people still have examples of those “memorable” fashions. Rent costumes and come as your favorite ancestor.

Charlotte Johnson, Alton, Illinois, historian for the George Schultz and “His” Family Reunion, entertains her family with a slide show about their formation and genealogy. Johnson weaves an uncommonly complicated, sometimes convoluted, tale that follows the family’s origins and growth. At each reunion, Johnson also reserves a room for displays from past reunions; pictures, mementos, notes and comments. The room rings with happy laughter and chatter as family members see pictures of themselves and recall past reunion pleasures.

The Alford Family Association features a Family Forum to help members see how they are connected. Computers are set up at the Tackett Family Reunion so relatives can check genealogy lines.

There are many ways to make history come alive at your reunion. Fascinate adults and children with common threads by incorporating ancestors, their lives and times. Story-telling is an ancient art that fares well today if an audience awaits. You or some wonderfully dramatic family member can create rapture with the right tales. Tell the intriguing stories you’ve discovered as you unearthed layers of generations, stalward, strong individuals who persevered against all odds and even occasional rogues or thieves to spice things up.

If your reunion does not meet at the same location each time, plan some reunions at or near places of significance to your ancestors; where they landed, where they settled or migrated, even their places of origin. Organize tours that include family historical sites, houses, farms and homesteads, land, landmarks; where ancestors went to school, church and play; places where family members worked (and discuss what work they did) and cemeteries where ancestors are buried.

According to Laverne Aitchison, Phoenix, Arizona, The Guindon/Yandeau Family Reunion chooses reunion sites in Ontario, Canada, to “walk in the footsteps” of their ancestors and while there also visit genealogy sites and libraries.

Using Family Trees
Everyone is fascinated by family trees. The youngest reunion members gain a sense of who they are, where they fit, who the others are, and how they fit. One of the Rahm Family Reunion grandchildren was so fascinated by a handmade family tree, that he computerized it and sent everyone copies. There are so many ways to display your family tree, the branches, twigs and splinters that compose your reunion group. Computer printouts, of course, make presentation much easier. Family trees on paper are only one of many ways to show how everyone is connected. Some families include more than names and dates. Pictures, for example, make many displays more graphic; especially images of ancestors. Pictures of historical events or geographical points of interest on the family tree illuminates your family’s social history.
v Whether the family tree is a simple chart or a fancy one — pictures, symbols, art, color — your family will delight in it. The family tree always generates questions. The lines that link parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins can be a very graphic demonstration of family.

The Lambert Family Reunion uses a generations-old family tree modernized with Family Tree Maker software. The tree was once a 4ft. by 6ft. poster board and now is updated on the computer when members submit changes. The Bryant and Letitia Andrews descendants wear their family tree right on their t-shirts! The Sussel-Solomon Reunion committee mails a copy of their family tree two weeks before the reunion to verify accuracy of information. At the reunion, prizes are awarded to people who can get the most relatives to sign their copy of the family tree. The McLeod Family Reunion tree includes eight branches, each represented by different shaped leaves, in a different color to represent each generation. They make matching leaves for name tags. Clifton Family Reunions’ family tree is made of gingerbread. It features male and female gingerbread figures made from non-edible cinnamon dough. Each has the member’s name on the front and parents’ names on the back. Each of the four generations hangs from different color ribbons, and as children are born, their figures are added. The Cundy Family Reunion decorates a family tree with wedding pictures.

Living trees help preserve reunions. Trees are a prominent reunion theme, logo and design idea that can be used in many different ways. Living trees as prizes make memories but only for members who have a place to plant them. A small tree in a pot that can be put on an apartment balcony or terrace also works well. Cuttings or grafts for those clever enough to know what to do with them can extend a family’s connections even further. The Skinner/McQueen Family Reunion dedicated a live tree to their parents and planted it in the park where they held reunions for many years. They chose a Liquid Amber to commemorate autumn, a favorite time of year for both parents. A plaque in red garnet imbedded in a stone reads “The Family Tree, Its Roots an Ancestry, Its Limbs New Generations.” Skinner grandsons dug the hole and placed the plaque.

Sharing Research
There are many ways to share your genealogical research. Think about your audience. Plan something new or arranged differently each year. Displays must be accessible and easy-to-read. Be selective about what you include: don’t bring or use absolutely everything. The more attractive and germane, the more popular and interesting genealogy will be to your members.

Clothing from ancestors is often displayed at family reunions. Wedding dresses, such as this one at the Busse Family Reunion, are particular favorites. (author photo)

In addition to sharing your family tree, create other genealogical displays. Include books, copies of historical documents, pictures, maps, memorabilia and artifacts. Many families display posters or bulletin boards of pictures — ancestors, past reunions, snapshots from each branch, members who can’t attend.

Wayne W. Daniel, Chamblee, Georgia, Daniel Family Reunion, provides a Genealogy Work Table to exchange information and a Show and Tell table to exhibit historical and current photographs. Daniel suggests notifying members in advance to bring materials, memorabilia and photos. Some families ask members to bring along artifacts and memorabilia. Juanita Mattner brought a collection of family heirlooms and reminders of family events to the Edward and Lucy Keenan reunion. As she showed items to the group, she asked folks to talk about the memories each generated. Organizers practically set up an entire museum for the annual Seidemann reunion. Family antiques are arranged in a kitchen, parlor, bedroom, schoolroom and library where genealogy materials are displayed. Outside there are rows of antique farm implements and equipment. Display cases hold authentic family genealogy and property documents for the farm originally homesteaded and still in the family.

Resources About Reunions Reunions magazine is a quarterly for persons organizing reunions. Subscriptions are $17 US per year and include Reunions Workbook and Catalog which can be ordered separately for $10 US. Special offers always available at the Reunions website (www.reunionsmag.com). Regular columns about family reunions appear on Family Tree Maker Online (www.familytreemaker.com).

In a newsletter retrospect of 21 Daniel Family Reunions, Wayne W. Daniel of Chamblee, Georgia, says “The success of each reunion is the result of the efforts of many family members — those who prepare the food, those who see that it is properly arranged on tables, those who fill the cups with ice, those who make the announcements, those who bless the food, the one who reserves the building, those who work at the registration table, those who contribute gifts for the annual prizes, those who give their money, and those who help with cleanup duties when the fun and fellowship are over.” And that’s just at the reunion. It takes much longer and lots of loving details to make any reunion a success. And if you organize one you will be giving your family a great gift!

Edith Wagner is founder and editor of Reunions magazine, author of Reunions Workbook and Catalog and The Family Reunion Sourcebook (Lowell House, Los Angeles) now in bookstores. She collects material from family reunions and invites you to share your reunion ideas or ask questions. You can e-mail
Wagner at reunions@execpc.com or visit Reunions’ website at www.reunionsmag.com.

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2000 issue of Family Chronicle.