That's right - "reunions" plural! I would like to point out that there are two Vance surname-related reunions this summer in the US. Social media and connecting over email are great in their own way, but after all, genealogy is in its heart a study of human connections and there is no substitute for getting out there and seeing people face to face!
The first Vance reunion is from July 5-7, 2013, at Beaver Lake near Rogers, Arkansas. Kim Richardson Adams Emery and her relatives have organized several local Vance reunions in past years; most of their family is I believe descended from the Vances of Calhoun County, MS (themselves descended from James Alexander Vance who died in 1821 in South Carolina, and part of Group 8 of the Vance DNA Project). You can bet this will be a festival of true Southern hospitality overrun by very active and energetic Vance family researchers! Details, directions, hotel suggestions, and more are on their website at http://adventureswithvances.shutterfly.com/reunion2009.
The second is the Vance Family Association (VFA)'s own bi-annual reunion, from August 19-20, 2013, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The VFA has coordinated their reunion with the Federation of Genealogical Societies' Conference (which takes place Aug 21-24 also in Fort Wayne, and VFA members may participate in any of the FGS conferences as well). Most of the VFA's own meetings will be conducted before the FGS Conference at the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Library which includes a tour and research time taking advantage of the library's facilities and helpful staff. A great way both to connect with VFA staff and members and further your own research at the same time! This reunion is for VFA members, so details are in the May newsletter, or visit http://vancefamilyassociation.org/join-today/ to sign up for membership and get a quick note off to membership@vancefamilyassociation.org to request more details about the reunion.
Any other Vance or Vance-related (Vaux, Vans, Wentz, etc) reunions going on out there around the world? Let us know in the comments!
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteWe had a WONDERFUL Reunion in NW, Arkansas this summer! Anyone who is interested can click on the link you show above and then click on the Reunion 2013 tab. There are tons of photos showing all of the fun we had!
Our plan is to have the next "gathering" at the old Vance Family Cemetery in Mississippi. The local Vance family members have a "Memorial Day" the second weekend of May each year. It is a time when many of the family and descendants of Vances from that area are gathered in one place! They come from several surrounding states to pay respects and care for the cemetery. I plan to be there for sure!Hope to meet many of you there!
Sincerely,
Kim Emery
I'm trying to contact all the great grandchildren of Sarah Elizabeth Vance who married Nathan Dozier Skelton. I'm hoping we can get together at this Old Vance Cemetery reunion in May 2014!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of VANCE buried in the Vance Cemetery in Calhoun County, Mississippi. This is my wife family. We have several old pictures of her old family. Anyone interested can contact me at -- clarkappliance@bellsouth.net --James E. Clark
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