Sharing and Building Family Memories through a Family Reunion

Christina (nee Lee) an Lionel
Carriage

Sharing family memories is one of the themes on my blog “Family Stories Photographs and Memories” that I enjoy writing about the most.  We spend a lot of time researching our ancestors and sometimes forget to record our own history. I think it is important to take the time to record your own memories and assist in building your families memories.

At the wake of a recent family funeral, a number of relatives commented that “it was nice for the family to get together, even though it was a sad occasion” and “we should make an effort to get together for an occasion other than a funeral”.  These sentiments fuelled a discussion with one of my Aunts and a cousin, and we agreed to put our heads together and organise a family reunion for all our relatives linked to my Nanna (Christina Lee) and Pop (Lionel Carriage) and Nanna’s first husband (Malcolm Michael Shepherd).

A family reunion provides us with the opportunity to share and build family memories as well as discover new links.  As this blog is such a great form for sharing and discussing new ideas I thought I would post my initial thoughts and outline for our family reunion.

The aim of this post is twofold:

     1. To assist other who are contemplating a similar event and more importantly

     2. To seek the wisdom and feedback from others who have organised or attend a family reunion

So here are my initial thoughts on items that we will need to consider for the organisation of the upcoming reunion which we have scheduled for the long weekend in June.

1.  As this is our first attempt at organising a Family Reunion it is important to keep it as simple as possible! (Yep!! the KISS method). 

2.  Organising Committee - decide on the core group of family members who will be involved in organising the reunion, and select one person to coordinate, and keep the communication flowing and follow up on all action items.

3.  Allocate tasks to family members, taking the time to select areas that they have skills in, e.g., someone with IT skills to set up scanner and copier to make copies of photos on the day, someone who is keen on photography to take charge of taking photos and someone who likes cooking  to organise morning tea.

4.  Select a date and book a venue.We have organised to use the pavilion at the Milton Show Ground, this will provide us with plenty of space, toilet facilities, a kitchen and a large covered space if the weather is inclement. Take time to visit the venue prior to the event to check out the layout and assess requirements, e.g.  Seating, heating, crockery, suitable areas for displays etc.

5.  Decide on the type of reunion you are going to have.  To keep it simple we are going to provide morning tea on arrival and then a picnic lunch, where everyone can bring along their own picnic. 

6.  Family Contacts: Set up master spreadsheet with Family member’s name’s, contact details, connection to the family and details on areas they can assist with. Seek assistance from willing family members to source as many family members contact details as possible.

7.  Reunion Flyer and Letter:

• Develop a Reunion flyer outlining the main details of the Reunion in both hard and soft copy.
• Compose a letter of invitation that can be sent by mail or email.  The letter should give detailed information on the reunion, contact details for RSVP or queries, details of accommodation and other attractions in the area and an invitation to assist on the day, or bring along family memorabilia, photos etc.

8.  Budget and Fundraising:

• Draw up a list of costs for the day, e.g. Cost of Venue hire, morning tea, printing and postage, displays, printing, items for children’s activities, toiletries for the bathrooms etc.
• Decide on how costs will be covered: Donations of goods and services, small attendance fee or a donation tin on the day of the reunion.

9.  Media and Communication:

• Distribution of Letter and Flyers, - Circulate letters and Flyers to family members, asking if they are able to forward the invitation on to other family members.
• Put an advertisement and possible a short article in the local paper.
• Set up a Family Tree Web site or Family Reunion Page on Facebook – family photos, articles and reunion updates can be shared on this page.
• Consider setting up a twitter and Google+ group.
• Closer to the date of the reunion send out reminders and updates.

10. Decide on the Schedule for the Day:

• Have members of the committee (or other volunteers) on hand when everyone arrives to assist with introductions, name cards and a brief outline of the layout.
• Initial Welcome – select someone to give an opening welcome and quick outline of the day (perhaps the oldest grandchild or one of the elders of the group?)
• Presentation – have a short presentation on the history of the family members?
• Depending on the number of people attending, a quick run around the group to introduce family members.
• Plan entertainment for the day, plan activities for the children that covers a range of age groups.
• Consider having a short movie or PowerPoint of photos running, so that people can watch at their pleasure.

11. Photography:

• Assign one or two people to be responsible for taking as many photos as possible.
• Organise for a large group photo for all attendees.
• Provide the opportunity for family groups to have their photo taken (with someone taking down the names of the people in the photos).

12.  Collection of Memorabilia and compiling of Family Tree:

• Seek assistance from family members to put together the family history.
• Set up a display of family tree – encourage attendees to make corrections and additions.
• Collect photos and memorabilia for display at the reunion and encourage families to bring photos and memorabilia on the day.
• Set up a display of family photos and memorabilia.
•  Encourage families to bring photos and memorabilia on the day
• Have a scanner and photocopier set up on the day to collect copies of photo's and to make copies of photos for family members.

13.  Post Reunion:

• Ask family members to provide feedback and suggestions on the day.
• Put together Memento of the day, this could include collection of photos and family documents from the day to be sent out to those attending.  This could be in the form of a booklet, CD or usb stick.  Family members could indicate if they would like this memento and pay a small fee to cover costs for this on the day.

I am quite excited and a little daunted by the prospect of organising this reunion in six months, however I am sure we will be able to put our heads together and pull off and enjoyable day for all family who are interested.

Have any of you planned or attended a family reunion recently?  Your feedback and advice on my initial summary of actions would be greatly appreciated. 

Christina and Lionel Carriage with family (hopefully some of these will be attending the Reunion) 

_______________________

If you are interested, a little more information can be found on Christina, Lionel and Malcolm (Christina's first husband) on these blogs.

1. http://womenfrommyfamilytree.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/christina-sterland-lee.html

2. http://womenfrommyfamilytree.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/christina-part-two-letters-from.html
3. http://womenfrommyfamilytree.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/marraige-to-lionel-carriage-and-family.html
4.http://womenfrommyfamilytree.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/my-memories-of-nanna-christina-carriage.html
5.http://familystoriesphotographsandmemories.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/trans-tasman-anzac-day-blog-challenge.html
6.http://familystoriesphotographsandmemories.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/military-monday-treasures-from-aunty.html

World War I Relic of Some Significance

As always the 9th of the month has caught me by surprise again, where has that month gone.  I was wondering what I should write about when I saw Yvettes wonderful pictures of WWI on her post "World War I Photos". Such powerful photos!! 

I was reminded of an amazing WWI family relic that I was privileged to see earlier this year.  One of my second cousins contacted me last May, after he had read a post I had written about my grandfather Malcolm Michael Shepherd.  His grandfather, Angus Shepherd, was my grandfather's older brother and they both enlisted in the Army and fought in Africa and Europe during the first world war. The following week, I met with my cousin at the 175 year celebration of the small town of Braidwood, the town that our great grandfathers had grown up in and was delighted that he had bought with him a wonderful collection of family photos and memorabilia to share with me.

Angus John Shepherd

Malcolm Michael Shepherd (Angus's brother)

Among my cousins collection of photos, cards and memorabilia, there was one item that really caught my attention. It was a menu hand drawn by Angus Shepherd for the 7th platoon, 33 Battalion's Christmas Celebration in France. The menu is drawn up on a target practice card, and the back the men from the 7 platoon have all signed across the target.  I was very excited that he let me take a copy of this  valuable piece of Australian World I history.

Christmas Menu - Celebration of the 7th Platoon of the 33 Battalion  25.12. 1918

Back of Menu and Target Practice - Signtures of the men of the 7th Platoon, 33 Battalion

I can't begin to imagine how these men felt at this time.  They had fought and survived through some of the most horrific battles and living conditions.  They had seen unimaginable horrors, witnessed the death and wounding of their comrades in a country so far from their home and families.  You would think that their first Christmas celebration after the end of WWI would have been very bittersweet.