Meine Familie

A couple of people were really surprised when I mentioned yesterday that I belong to a family that has over 1000 people at the reunion.  I feel that I need to explain:

I am a 7th generation member of this family.  A reunion is held every other year for the descendants of my paternal great-great-great-great grandfather.  His second son and third child is my great-great-great grandfather; they immigrated to Texas from Olfen, Germany in 1846 when he was 20 years old.  My great grandfather (Grospapa as he was called) married his wife in the same church where my parents were married.  I love that church:  It is gorgeous. 
 
That is the parish where my mom grew up; many weddings, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and funerals were attended by my maternal family there.  It's also where my uncles celebrated their first Mass as Priests.  Both sets of my grandparents were laid to rest there.

The reunion was held this year, and it appears attendance was down to a little over 700.  I have no idea when I last went.   While I was looking at the records from the past years, I saw my family's name under "Largest family"  for 1970.  I remember going when I was around 12 or so, so I must have gone at least one time after that record breaking year!  I know my mom has some pictures, but that would require me going to her house, looking for the picture, and scanning it.  Maybe one of these days that will get done!

And there you have a brief history of my family.  I think it's important to know where we came from.  If you're in Texas and this sounds familiar (maybe a little too familiar!), let me know.  We just may be related!

10 comments:

  1. Wowzers. And I thought my hubs had a big family. Grandparents had 18 kids and their oldest had 17. :)

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  2. Interesting information.
    I do recall a large amount of German decedents while living in TX!

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  3. How fun...we know a lot about my dad's side of the family as it has been well researched and documented. Not as much about my mom's side as my grandmom's dad abandoned the family before she was born so that branch of the tree is missing.

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  4. LOL at possibly being related to anyone that finds that familiar. LOL

    That's a huge reunion...but so cool that that many people still try to get together!

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  5. In Tx. Not related. BUT...if you do come again, we have GOT to meet up!

    Just have your people call my people!

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  6. I was born in North Texas and have German ancestors. I know my grandmother's people came from Alsace-Lorraine (however you spell it). Wachsman... Windthorst... Wichita Falls. Any of those W's ring a bell for ya? How weird would it be to be related?

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  7. wow...I just thought my family was big...between both parents I was blessed with 96 first cousins...but we have never had a reunion with this many people. WOW...that is so awesome. thanks for sharing this memory with us...I loved it. I love the name grospapa too....we had a neighbor called that by his grandchildren when I was a child...and I loved that name.

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  8. Well, they say everything in Texas is bigger....

    I have a very dear friend whose last name is Gold. They have a huge reunion, too - in Texas. Any kin?

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  9. Love this post! My husband's family has a reunion every 5 years and people come from all over the country. My family holds one every year and hardly anyone attends. It's sad.

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  10. How cool is that?! 1000? And I thought our 70 was a great number! Where do they hold it? Is it one day?

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