Family
reunion
From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia
A family reunion is an
occasion when many members of an extended family
congregate. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date
of every year.
A typical family reunion will
assemble grandparents, great-grandparents and up for a meal, some recreation and
discussion. The older attendees are generally grandparents, parents, siblings
or first cousins
while the youngest could be second, third or fourth cousins. It is also not
uncommon for regular family reunions to be sponsored by family organizations or
family associations centered around a more distant common ancestor
(often referred to as "ancestral family organizations") or a commonly
shared surname ("single surname family organizations").
Family
reunion programs
Family reunion programs are
sponsored by Red Cross organizations. See the List of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) leads
the international movement and which has special responsibilities under
international humanitarian law.
Adoption
reunion movements
Many adults using an adoption
reunion registry are able to locate parents and
siblings. Adoption Reunion groups offer search and support guidance for birth
parents and adoptees. Adoption Reunion organizations help to uphold adoptee
rights and support adoption reform. According to TRIADOPTION® Library [1]
which kept records on adoption search and reunion beginning in the 1970s, Jean
Paton formed Orphan Voyage back in 1954 and is considered the grandmother of
the adoption adoption reunion movement. ALMA (Adoptees Liberty Movement
Association) was formed in New York City in 1972, ISRR (International Soundex Reunion Registry) in 1975, CUB (Concerned
United Birthparents) in 1976, and dozens more sprung up
around the US, Canada and Australia. By 1985 there were over 500 search and
support organizations worldwide. The adoption reunion movement grew rapidly
from grass roots local organizations coming together under forming the AAC
(American Adoption Congress) in 1979 at a conference held in Washington, DC.
Groups from each region were instrumental in finding ways to help their members
reunite with their birth families and surrendered/relinquished children.
One of the early groups was
Yesterday's Children in Illinois founded by Donna Cullom. They were
instrumental in filing the first class action suit in 1974 on behalf of
adoptees having access to their original records and birth certificates. In
Canada, Parent Finders was formed by Joan Vanstone. Philadelphia Forum,
Adoptees In Search, Search Triad, Operation Identity and so many others held
meetings, gave support, assisted in search and offered education in their
communities. Like them WARM (Washington Adoption Reunion Movement) was a
non-profit organization providing search, reunion and educational resources and
support to the adult adoption community. WARM maintains a collection of Orphan
memorials dedicated to adoptees and birthparents who died before being
reunited.
National
and international family history societies
Many reunions are made possible by
family history societies. The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) is an international organisation based in the UK
which represents, advises and supports over 220 family history societies. The
Federation of East European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) was organized in
1992 as an umbrella organization that promotes family research. The Canadian
Federation of Genealogical (CanFed) and Family History Societies work with
Canadian born families.
International
family reunification
Family reunification for
third-country nationals remains a politically charged issue. The ICCPR (Art.
12.4) states openly the right of each person to enter in the country of her
nationality. This statement has been open to variety of interpretation. Family
reunification has become a controversial humanitarian and human rights issue as
well as a much debated immigration policy issue.
Genealogy
societies
The purpose of genealogical societies is to form a community of researchers and help its members
create a library of families history resources. FGS was founded in 1976 and
represents the members of more than 600 genealogical societies. Organizations
like the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California assist
family members connect the branches of the family tree using genealogy and
Internet resources.
Traditional
family reunion activities
Traditional family reunion
activities include an afternoon luncheon or early evening dinner and program
featuring music, song, poetry reading, history recitals, honorary recognition
of elders, community contributions and educational achievements.
Historic skits Reenactments that highlight pivotal points in a family’s
history. Participants are introduced to the art of developing a timeline as
well as period research with a focus on costume design, customs, dialogue and
social, economic and technological developments.
Story telling A fascinating art that brings to life tales of ancestors
and their accomplishments. Along with stories of legends of the past, life
lessons are taught. The meaning behind family traditions are shared while
relaying important family history factoids and the ties that bind.
Genealogy tours Takes the family on an exciting tour of important
genealogical hot spots including the family homestead, the towns in which the
family settled, the jobs they held, machines they worked, markets they traded
and streets they walked as well as social activities they immersed themselves
into.
Genealogy presentations A Presentation of historic documents and vintage artifacts
that identify timelines, economic status, historic events and locations of
ancestors.
Annual
proclamations and observances
Family Reunion Month A Proclamation in 1985 To raise awareness of a growing
trend of runaway children and newly formed organizations to help reunite
families of runaways the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 64, has designated
the period between Mother's Day, May 12, and Father's Day, June 16, 1985, as
"Family Reunion Month" and authorized and requested the President to
issue a proclamation in observance of this period.
National Family Reunion Month While some commercial enterprises have dubbed August as
National Family Reunion Month many social groups including churches observe
National Family Reunion Month in the month of July.
Annual Family Reunion Planning Month A family awareness group with a focus on genealogy and
traditional family reunion planning established "Annual Family Reunion
Planning Month" in 2005 named November. Mark A. Askew, group Administrator
and Founder, first announced "Family Reunion Planning Month" to
international reunion planners group members, family magazines, corporations
and schools. (See News: Legendary Heritage Heirlooms - The Family Reunion
Planners blog "November's annual family reunion awareness
observance.")
The entire wiki link can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_reunion
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