Reunions are wonderful opportunities to gather with family and reconnect with loved ones. At reunions, everyone shares family history, making it a special time to celebrate your collective past, honor your ancestors, and keep oral histories and stories alive. It’s also a perfect moment to teach younger generations about their roots and foster a deeper understanding of their heritage.
Many families have at least one person interested in their family history. That person may have a casual interest or be a genealogist who has documented the family’s history and compiled extensive genealogical records. I am the dedicated genealogist who has documented the lineages on both my maternal and paternal sides. I have family trees, pedigree charts, group sheets, and historical documents, yet there are still gaps in our family history. A family reunion is an ideal time to gather documents, update family trees, and uncover our history.
Before the reunion, mail pedigree charts and family group sheets to everyone for completion and to bring to the reunion. Members who are not attending should complete and return them in the self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). Bring extra copies of both to the reunion.
Put a large family tree chart on the wall so everyone can find their branch and see where they belong.
Invite people to bring their old photos and documents, and don’t forget to bring your own. Have a scanner available so they can make copies for their collections.
Ask your family to bring heirlooms, Bibles, diaries, photos, artifacts, and other cherished treasures to share and display.
Visit places significant to the family: hometowns, homesteads, farms, churches, schools, and cemeteries. Cemetery visits may include upkeep, maintenance, and repair of headstones or monuments.
With proof of military service, a veteran’s family member can request one of three markers from the federal government for a burial without a headstone: a grave marker, a memorial for a missing soldier, or a plaque for the crypt.
Storytelling and interviewing are wonderful ways to connect and learn more about your loved ones! Encourage everyone, young and old, to share their special memories— such as their first day of school, favorite games, or how they celebrate Christmas. You can easily record their voices on a smartphone or tablet to preserve those precious moments forever.
Engage children in the reunion by offering genealogical activities such as filling out their immediate family pedigree chart, interviewing family members, or making rubbings of headstones or gravestones at the cemetery. Activities for all ages are available online.
If the budget allows, or family members cover the cost of DNA testing, arrange to have DNA kits available to all attendees. Collect samples, submit them, and share the results with attendees, along with an explanation. A few DNA companies, such as Ancestry or Family Tree DNA, offer DNA kits at a reduced price around the holidays – including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day – for as little as $39 to $59. Bulk orders may also be discounted.
And last but not least, consider taking a family photo as a keepsake for everyone who attended the reunion. Identify each person in the photo by labeling them, then share the photo with everyone who attended.
Exploring your family’s genealogy at reunions offers a great chance to uncover your roots, share meaningful stories, and create lasting memories with loved ones.