Planning your Family Reunion

Cousins

Family reunions significantly influenced the development of our two children. Our son (now 31) and our daughter (soon to be 28) are both family oriented young adults who have forged deep bonds with second and third cousins, many of whom live across country.

Family Reunion Vacations

Since 1983, our family has taken a “family reunion vacation”, once every three years. Each reunion brings together fifty or so family members, sometimes more, sometimes less. We have been to Arizona, Oregon, California, Montana, New Mexico, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. Our next reunion takes place in South Dakota. Cousins

These reunion vacations involve the Talbot side of our family. My mother-in-law’s maiden name was Talbot. Our first Talbot Reunion, held in Sedona Arizona, brought together my mother-in-law’s father, Ralph Talbot, and all Ralph’s children and grandchildren. Since that first reunion, the descendants of Ralph Talbot continue to hold regular reunions. My daughter was under a year old at the first reunion. This past month, July 2010, she attended a Talbot Reunion with her husband and infant daughter.

Family Reunion Traditions

Although I’m not a blood Talbot, I’m one of the Talbot Outlaws – what we affectionately refer to as the in-laws and significant others of the Talbot clan. I certainly don’t feel like an outsider, not after spending ten vacations with the group. My husband (Don) and I, along with our daughter, and one of Don’s first cousins and the cousin’s spouse have attended every reunion. Other family members haven’t been able to attend every reunion; over the years circumstances arise which prevents different family members from attending. Yet, our reunion tradition continues.

Organizing a Family Reunion

           If you’ve been considering organizing a family reunion – either a vacation or one day event – I’ve put together some information based on our family’s personal experiences over the last 27 years.
            As families became more mobile, moving around the country, many family bonds seemed to dissolve. California cousins were no longer familiar with cousins in the Midwest or East Coast. Yet, in recent years, with popular social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, it is easier to keep in touch and reconnect with family members.
            The Internet has also spiked interest for genealogy enthusiasts, with online resources like Cyndi’s List and popular commercial sites like Ancestry.com. Today it’s easier than ever to reconnect with family and discover your roots.