I saw the following in our local paper and thought it might be interesting to see how long some of your family reunions have been held? My family has only had 2 - one right after all my brothers where home from WWII. and one in 1993. We are planning one for 2010. I couldn't figure out how to do a pdf for this article. I think I will go to the local library tomorrow and read their Genealogy- I don't know the family!! Patricia
"From THE CRESCENT NEWS, Defiance County, Ohio September 20, 2009 LEIPSIC,Defiance, Co., Ohio -- The 99th annual Rigg reunion held recently in Buckeye Park was attended by 73 descendants.

This year marks the first time since the first reunions were held that descendants from all six of John Rigg's children were present. The oldest family member attending was Helena Rigg, 94, Oregon, Ohio and youngest family member attending was Izak Payne, 5 months, New Bavaria, Ohio .

Remus Rigg of Coldwater, Mich., offered a prayer before the potluck dinner. A business meeting, a raffle and another successful white elephant sale followed the dinner.

During the business meeting, the reelection of the current officers was approved. They are: Danny Hurd, president, West Unity; Steven Briggs, vice president, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Debbie Westrick, secretary-treasuer, New Bavaria.

It was also discussed and approved to hold the 100th Rigg reunion in the Sportsmans Club in Miller City on the traditional Sunday of Labor Day weekend in 2010.

Many family members volunteered to assist in the activities and entertainment which are being planned for the 100th annual event.

Nearby historical family landmarks will also be an important part of the 100th reunion.

A re-enactment of an early reunion with Mahlon and Mary Ann Rigg will be held in John Rigg's grove, 2 1/2 miles north of Miller City, Ohio.

The grove was the location of the annual reunions from 1910-1940s.

Everyone's attendance was recorded in the reunion's register book which has been in use since 1910. Family photographs were taken of all present.

The white elephant sale was conducted by auctioneer Jonas Rigg of Orland, Indiana with assistance from Dale Rigg of Butler, Indiana and Judy Cordes of Holgate, Ohio

A 50/50 raffle and several door prize raffles also took place with Jennifer Cordes of Holgate, and Madison and Abigail Zeh of Toledo, assisting.

The first Rigg gathering was held in 1909 as a celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of Mahlon and Mary Ann (Cox) Rigg.

Except for the year of 1925, the Rigg reunion has been held annually since that first gathering.

The book, Who's Where in the John Rigg Family, published in 1997, details the history and genealogy of the Rigg family.

Those interested in attending the 100th reunion or learning more about the Rigg family, may write to: Steven Briggs, P.O. Box 50265, Phoenix, Ariz., 85076-0265. Or e-mail myfamilyroots1@cox.net."

As far as I know there has never been a reunion on my mother's side of the family, but my father's family has been having reunions for years. (But I doubt that it has been as long as 100 years!)

When I was a child, the only vacations I remember were to Wisconsin for family reunions. (We lived in Mississippi.) We'd have a reunion of my father's parents and siblings and another of the descendants of my grandmother's parents, who had immigrated from Norway & Sweden. I think that one ended when the older generations died off and the more distant cousins didn't know each other, but I still remember the big family tree that one of my father's cousins had drawn. The trunk was for the immigrant couple. The main branches were their children. Then she had smaller branches, leaves, and acorns. I was an acorn, and I was fascinated!

My father and all of his siblings have died but we still have a cousin reunion every three years. They really aren't about genealogy - more about getting to know each other better. For several reunions we rented a rod and gun club for a 3-day weekend and camped out. There was a screened building with a kitchen and dining room, and one cousin organized meals. We'd all contribute either food or money. There would be one day for the big reunion when those who didn't come for the entire weekend would come. It was usually pot luck with chicken barbecued by a cousin's son whose father-in-law was a caterer. Many of the local cousins were farmers, and they would go home to do chores and return at night. There was a cold stream flowing through the grounds, and we would chill watermelons in it. Planned activities were minimal, but something fun always happened. One year a cousin had ordered nose flutes for everybody and we had a "concert." Another time a cousin had just gotten married and brought his new wife. We had a mock wedding with wildflowers gathered from the fields. One year some cousins brought super soaker water guns and everybody got wet. Wild turkeys decided to join the fun one year, and they were determined not to be chased off! The kids had so much fun that when they married they returned with their wives and children.

The last 2 reunions have been at a cousin's farm. The cousin who usually organized everything died 3 years ago. This was reunion year but I had to miss it due to my husband's surgery. I think they had a pretty good crowd. It was cooler than usual and I hear that they stayed inside playing farkle and card games.

My aunt and cousin, who had lived with my grandparents, put together a family book with a group sheet for each family, pictures and documents that my grandparents had saved, and stories and memories from anybody who would submit anything. We update it before every reunion with the new marriages, babies, and deaths. That is the only genealogy we do, but we bring pictures to share and just have fun together. I usually go early to visit the courthouses and cemeteries.

Annette

Those reunions sound like so much fun. And all the information. Our family doesn't have any anymore. We had some years ago, but didn't last. My husbands family tried a couple, but the same. I guess no one wants to take on the work.
Phyllis

Just wanted to let my genealogy buddies know that my bags are packed and I'm leaving in the morning for the family reunion in North Carolina! I'm so excited... it's been a constant buzz on my computer talking to the 'cousins' and planning the tour for Saturday.

We're going to go see my g-g-g-g-g-grandmother's long lost family cememtery plot. She died around 1760, but we don't know for sure. It's been long rumored to be at the old family planataion, but no one could ever find it because it was so grown up with bushes and such. But they cleared the land for a golf course (of all things) and sure enough, there were the field stones with initials etched on the rocks. No one could believe that we finally know where grandmother Sarah was buried. And we also get to so see the 1760 log cabin of g-g-g-g-g-g-grandfather Peter Eaker. This has been on the list of places to visit for so many years.. so again, it's well worth the plane ticket. I'll post some messages while I'm there and let ya'll know what's going on. Just gotta tell someone what is happening!!! And you guys know better than anyone how much this stuff means.

Wish you were all coming with me! You know, I'm going to be in RUDISILL country, too! ;-)))) And this is also part of my HILDEBRAND clan. Some day we'll have to plan a GWW field trip....

More later, wish me luck ;-)

That's great Rebecca. Have lots of fun and enjoy your trip. Sounds great to me.
Phyllis