Family reunions mean great storytelling

Posted on July 2, 2007 in Genealogy by DM

dads cousins shucking corn Larry Lehmer notes that summer time is family reunion time which can lead to great stories. We never did family reunions when I was growing up - there just weren’t very many of us on either side since both my parents were only-children and my dad’s family was all in Pennsylvania. I do remember several visits to various family members, though, most of which were the kind of uncomfortable “I’m-a-kid-and-I-don’t-want-these-great-aunts-kissing-on-me” sorts of affairs.

On one trip tp Pennsylvania, I remember my folks talking about “going up the mountain” to visit some cousins. When we got to the cousin’s house, I spent the time catching frogs in their basement window-wells - I was fairly young (grade-school) and had never seen frogs before. I also recall that was the trip where I agreed to give up my favorite dress, a green-and-yellow plaid pinafore that I had outgrown, to my younger cousin - who, I distinctly remember, wet the bed we both were sleeping in.

I’d like to say there were some good stories shared, but the truth is I think it was as much a getting-to-know-you trip for my Mom as well as my sister and I - she was meeting many of them for the first time just as we were.

How about you? Have you attended many family reunions? Any good stories you learned there that you want to share?

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