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Rochford Family Reunion, Labour Day Weekend 2006

The family reunion was two years in the planning. The first step: Joyce Roberts (George’s granddaughter) researched and compiled the family tree – a monumental task. Joyce continues to maintain the family tree as an ongoing task. Her niece Joyce Young succeeded in tracking down the American family of George’s sister Kate

Next, her sister Sheila Roberts Piccinin took on the task of organizing the reunion. A terrific site was located. The Maison D’Youville in Chateauguay, Quebec shares Ile St. Bernard with a nature preserve. Booking had to be done 18 months ahead, then getting reservations and collecting payment ensued. Just as important was drawing up a two-day plan of activities.

We had the use of a large meeting room where photos, family documents, etc. were displayed for people to examine at their leisure. Serge Piccinin had three long computer printed scrolls prepared. As well, Anne Rochford Cliffe (Joseph’s granddaughter) arrived with a handmade 20-30 foot long family tree scroll to hang on the wall – a fabulous resource. So there was scope for many to study their place in the family at the same time.

Saturday Afternoon

As people arrived they registered and received a colour-coded name label that outlined their line of descent from the four siblings who came to North America: George, Kate, Alice and Joseph. They were also handed the Program of Activities for the weekend. Young volunteers showed them to their rooms and helped with luggage. After settling in, people could explore the island, swim in the pool, enjoy playing bocce, or watch the children play soccer, twister, and other games organized by Bill Cadman and others.

Saturday Evening

Sheila’s husband Serge served ably as Master of Ceremonies at all evening functions. After dinner we gathered in the meeting room, and our numbers swelled to 150with the arrival of Montreal family. Sheila welcomed the family enthusiastically pointing out that people had come from coast to coast in Canada, and even from England. Regrettably, members of Kate and Alice’s families who had planned to attend were not able to make it in the end. They sent photos and documents (see below, also reminiscences.) Sheila spoke of the value of knowing something about those who came before us (our forebears), especially anecdotes that make them come alive. Passing down those stories over the generations is a way all of us live on in family memory just as we live on as we pass down family genes from generation to generation.

To help people get acquainted, Serge invited everyone to greet people sitting near them. Then we trooped outside and were formed randomly into fifteen groups of ten. Each group tossed a tennis ball around, the person catching it introducing themselves and talking a bit about their place in the family and their interests.

Back in the hall, we next heard an interesting presentation by Joyce Roberts, our historian, on the early history of the family and their times. Joyce also  spoke at length about her grandfather George, the first to emigrate to North America 100 years ago in 1906.

Serge then gave everyone a questionnaire to complete, Treasure Hunt of Degree of Consanguinity. Particularly challenging was finding a family member who could sign statements like: I am your great nephew; I am your kissing cousin… People rushed to study the family tree wall charts to identify a likely person, then asked around to locate them. The room was abuzz. 

We closed the evening circulating and chatting with newly met family members.

Sunday Morning

Morning rain precluded outdoor activities, but the children were greatly entertained by Clifford and Melinda Sayliss with face painting and balloon animals. Jeanne Cadman organized board games and helped out keeping the young amused.

Sunday Afternoon

Clifford played his guitar and led the children in a lively sing song. The weather cleared for walks around the island, and people enjoyed getting together to chat.

Sunday Evening

We started with a warm up quiz that involved locating and getting the autograph of people who had various interests or experiences (e.g. who has seen bread delivered by horse-drawn wagon).

Then we settled in to hear Pat Johnson speak about her grandfather Joseph, the fourth to emigrate after George and sisters Katherine and Alice.

As well we were fortunate to have Peter and Anne Rochford from England with us. We prevailed on Peter to speak about his father Cyril and about the families of the four children of our common ancestor Michael who did not emigrate.

A rousing sing song followed, with Cliff Sayliss once again providing guitar accompaniment. Cliff took Sheila’s three year old grandson, Eric on his knee to belt out his favorite songs, with everyone joining in.

The rest of the evening was spent in examining photos, documents, and the family tree, but mostly in lively conversation.

Monday Morning

We got together for our final good byes, everyone professing how great it had been to meet so many members of our extended family, and how wonderful it would be to have another reunion later.

Sheila thanked all those who helped in so many ways to make the reunion such a terrific success.

(Click to view the Program of the Rochford Family Reunion, as well as a copy of the The Treasure Hunt of Consanguinity and the Autographs Work Sheet used in the reunion).