My family has finally stopped rumbling about it, and we have begun making concrete plans for a family reunion this year. I am very excited of course, because I am hoping for a good turnout of relatives I have not seen in years, and hoping everyone has fun!
Our core committee is generating ideas for food and fun, as well as the logistics of date, place, etc. We are just in the beginning stages of planning and I can already see that my problem, as usual will be trying to stop myself from generating ideas of “genealogy” things to do. I have already begun to worry that I will forget the best idea for activities until the reunion is over, because I am the kind of person who always comes up with a good comeback too late. I am thinking maybe we need a month-long reunion, but I suspect nobody but me will think that’s a good idea.
Of course beyond the joy of family itself, is the chance to “really” share, and even better, expand the family history research some of us have been doing over the years, and I hope that will be a focus of the planning process. At one of Fred’s reunions, I brought my scanner so that I was able to scan and immediately return precious photos to their owners. I will also be gearing up the printer so I am prepared with all kinds of forms for family members to fill out, photos to showcase, and charts and things to explain who fits where in the family.
Family reunions are a rare opportunity to get information from relatives with whom we may not normally be in contact. I know the group will keep my “enthusiasm” for genealogy in check, but I also know half of the committee is as interested in genealogy as am I so this will be a focus of our plans.
I would love to get emails from my readers for family reunion ideas that you have tried or have been hoping to try. One of the cool things suggested is having family members fingerprint their individual leaves on a giant family tree poster.
We have many old family photos that we want to show and share, so we need to consider the best way to do that. Of course, food has always been a big part of our family gatherings, so we will need the third edition and update of the family cookbook. We are still trying to decide how to strike a balance between showing off our cooking skills, and making sure the cooks also have fun at the reunion. We also want to be sure to involve the little ones and be sure they are safe and supervised, which will take some thought.
I’d love to hear some of your ideas on ways to reach family members and encourage some of the more reluctant relatives to make the effort. I hope that over the next few months we can share ideas here and perhaps generate some interest in a reunion of your own.
Columnist Nina Brawn of Dover-Foxcroft is a longtime genealogy researcher, speaker and teacher. Reader emails are welcome at ninabrawn@gmail.com. Her semimonthly column is sponsored by the Aroostook County Genealogical Society which meets the fourth Monday of the month except in July and December at Cary Medical Center’s Chan Education Center at 6:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome. FMI contact Edwin “J” Bullard at 492-5501.
