Dissolution of the Thomas and Mary Lowrey Family Reunion, Held for over 100 Years

Recently, I received my issue of the Connecticut Genealogy News, a publication of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. One article about the ending of the Lowrey Family Reunion, a tradition that lasted over 100 years was quite sad to read. I wrote a post in 2010 called, Lowrey Family Reunions  --  One of Mine Started in 1875.

My grandfather at age 80 wrote in his memoir, "The Lowrey family being on my father's mother's side (Laura Lowrey Bishop has held an annual reunion regularly for 94 years, (1970).)  The early meetings were held in Bristol, Simsbury and Forestville, but the family became so unwieldly to be entertained in private homes.  In later years they have been held at the American Legion house at Whigville.  For as long as I can remember Truman Weed took the photo of the group each year and sent a copy to each family.  The reunion for the 1909 reunion was held at our house at 236 Grand Ave.  There were only forty attending as the distance seemed a little too far when only trolley car transportation was to be had."

Upon reading the below article, I contacted the society and asked permission to post the notice to my blog. 

Dissolution of the Thomas and Mary Lowrey

Family Reunion

The Descendants of Thomas and Mary Lowrey who immigrated to the colonies and settled in Plainville, Connecticut had met in reunion for over 100 years. By 2016 the group had been non-functional for over 10 years. The undersigned persons worked to the settlement and dissolution of the group. The $2,343 in the treasury was divided equally between the Connecticut Historical Society and the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. Papers that were in the possession of Steven Lowrey and Janet Atkins have been deposited in the Connecticut State Library Archives. They will be added to previously donated papers. These items, when cataloged, will be listed under the Lowrey Family in the Archives section on the state library webpage: ctstatelibrary.org. If you have items relative to the family you may contact the Connecticut State Archives office located in the Connecticut State Library building, 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106, regarding adding them to the current collection. In particular, there are very few of the family reunion pictures which were taken each year in this collection. This would be a wonderful place to protect them. If you are able to identify individuals, that would be helpful, also, the location and year.

This decision was made after a great deal of deliberation and with a great deal of regret. We can be very proud of the heritage of the Lowrey Family and family members’ impact in the many communities in which they call home throughout the United States, and most likely the world. We would appreciate that those who read this notice would please let members of their family know of the demise of this group. This notice will be sent to the Connecticut Historical Society, the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. and the New England Historic

Genealogical Society. The Plainville Library, Burlington Library and the Bristol Library will also be contacted. If you are actively researching the family, it would be helpful if you could post this information on internet bulletin boards,
etc. as you do your work.

To every thing there is a purpose under the heaven...

-King James Version of the Holy Bible

Steven Lowrey, President;

Janet Gaylord Atkins, Treasurer;

Susan Taylor, Member in Good Standing

April 2016

Want to go to a Family Reunion?

At this time of year, many people are planning on attending a family reunion or having their own family gathering, large or small. What if you are a rather new genealogist and would like to see if there is a family association for your favorite ancestor or surname? You could do a few things

1. Ask some of your contacts who share the same surname

2. Do a Google search

3. Check on Facebook to see if there is a group with your surname.

4. Contact a local Historical Society or Library in the area of your ancestor to see if they know about upcoming reunions, and if they don't know, ask if they will give you the name of their favorite most helpful genealogist's name.

5. See if the name appears in the Directory of Family Associations, as shown below. I noticed it is sold at Amazon, but you might be able to get it at your local library, like I did. The second photo is an example of a page. If you are interested, it's worth checking this book out.

And, if you do go to a reunion, don't forget to bring your business cards, they could be handmade or professionally printed, using your own photos. See mine HERE.

Family, Genealogy and High School gatherings are similar

Family gatherings and genealogy conferences are similar to high school reunions. At least I think so. I haven’t been to a family gathering in many years, due to my small family and distance, and I've gone to genealogy conferences, but I just attended my first high school reunion. Hold on….my 50^th.

There is only reason I went, my girl-friend wanted to go, and really wanted me to attend. I was hesitate, because I hardly knew anybody, first 50 years ago was a very long time, who would remember me, and why should they? I was only a student there for my senior year, a total of 9 months. All their friendships had been formed, many since first grade, and since I moved around afterwards, including living in Virginia for 20 years, I only had one good friend. Anyway, we went.

Chelmsford. MA is only a few miles away, and we were at the Country Club within minutes. With a pit in my stomach, and scared to death, I thought of  Gini Webb’s (genealogy friend) personal message to me regarding her recent reunion. I can only think, this is what it is like for all those people attending a genealogy conference, seminar/lecture or a family reunion, when you don’t know anybody. It is awful.

When we walked in, I saw some men, none looked familiar, nor their names. Fortunately, the women came over to great us, all knew who I was! I knew all their names, but could only place a few of the faces. They were so friendly, and very surprised to learn that I had only attended that one year. Later, I couldn't believe the nice time I had; it would have been my loss if I had stayed home. So, don’t stay home. Just go to whatever event you want to go to. People won’t bite.

The saddest thing was the reading of names of classmates who have passed away, quite a few recently. It was a real wake-up call. The best thing was, Judi, at my table mentioned her daughter-in-law was into genealogy. Within seconds, I whipped out my genealogy business card and gave it to her. Then, when I got home, I discovered one of my class-mates wrote on her information sheet that her hobby is genealogy…yes, I will be writing her.

I recently read my yearbook information again, this being the page where the staff wrote something about me. It said, "Barb--neat, tidy and well-groomed --  manner reserved and well poised -- Lexington's loss and Chelmsford's gain” The Class Will said, “leaves her friendly manner to” ___(withheld), one of the popular girls of the Jr. class. I think after 7-8 months of knowing me, they had me down pat. So when I saw a few of the ladies and told them how much that meant to me, then thanked them. Again, please go to your reunion, your old friends or family members may not be around the next time there is one, enjoy them now.

Lowrey Family Reunions -- One of Mine Started in 1875

In my file for this family, I noticed that Marjorie Lowrey, the Lowrey family historian for many years, and I wrote seven times, and yet, I knew nothing about her. Not her maiden name, anything about her family, children? just nothing.  She was extremely dedicated to her husband's linage, but shared nothing about herself.  I wanted to contact her or somebody about a reunion, but her husband born in 1915 had passed away, so what about her?

Fast forward to the evening.  As I gathered strength to dial a number on the last old newsletter, I reached Marjorie's son!  Of course, at first, I didn't know he was the son.  He knew of my name, and told me that his mother just got home from the hospital.  She is now 91 and uses the computer for email!  He isn't sure if  they will have another reunion, they only had 17 show up at the last one.  However, the family sure had a long run with over 118 reunions.

Seems a shame that descendants of Thomas and Mary aren't interested in the reunion any more.  It was such a long tradition.  If they ever have another one, I will make the short drive to Connecticut.