Reubin Thompson Family Update
March 2011
Beasley, Coleman, Flanders, Hall, Hooks, Lumley, Kea, Kirkland Kitchen[s], Moore, Rowell, Riner, Sumner, Thigpen, Youngblood
REUNION Last October’s gathering at Kemp was terrific in so many ways: perfect weather, humorous and inspiring speaker and great food. The Hall family was honored and a plaque for Rosa Padgett Walker presented, recognizing her generous donation. We were pleased to have some “new” cousins present and hope they will return. All of you are urged to mark Sunday, October 2, 2011 as our next reunion, as always at Ebenezer Church in Emanuel County. Remember, also, that donations of any size are always appreciated and needed for the maintenance of our cemetery and church.
WEBSITE Our cousin Ray Kane who lives in West Virginia attended the reunion and took some marvelous photographs. He has some of them posted on his website which can be found at www.reubinthompson.org. You can see photos of Ebenezer Church, the cemetery and some of our family members, as well! We owe Ray a great deal of thanks for his contribution. The Internet is a powerful means of connection for many of us.
COOKBOOK Our new family cookbook entitled “Cooking at Kemp” arrived last fall and was available at the reunion. Copies are still available from board member Martha Walker. Her address is 137 Patrick Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401. It has six pages of the history of the family association along with some reunion photographs and about 200 recipes. The price is $10 plus $2 for mailing. These books make good gifts!
EMANUEL COUNTY HISTORY The following announcement concerns news about a special book soon to be published. Many of you may want to send in information about your Emanuel County ancestors. You may submit up to 8 pages. Note the November 1 deadline.
Emanuel County will be 200 years old December 10, 2012 and the Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society is compiling a book with historical narratives of Emanuel County pioneers and their descendants. Possibly you have old letters, diaries, manuscripts, ledgers etc. you will let us publish. Older citizens can write “I Remember When…” Your story can be one paragraph, one page or up to 8 typed pages. Pictures are to be scanned 300dpi and TIFF format. Please use older pictures. You can type in Times font and 11 point. This book, Pine Log Echoes, will be 8.5×11 inches, printed on archival paper with hard binding. The deadline is November 1, 2011. If you have any questions please call or email
Mary Ann Smith—- diggingupkin@yahoo.com
SCHOLARSHIP Remember that our family association has a $500 scholarship called “Roots and Wings.” Persons in our family of any age may apply and the proceeds may be used for a special camp or event as well as schooling. Please contact Susan Middleton at 6345 Stapleton Road, Macon GA 31216 or email her at SYMiddleton@bellsouth.net
RESEARCH NEWS Using public death records, obituaries, federal and state census records, city directories and published family histories, I am continuing to add to our huge family tree. It is always a pleasure to help cousins connect with each other. Consider coming to our “Sharing Time” on Saturday, October 1, to contribute your stories and information.
DNA testing continues to be popular and is especially helpful for a common surname like Thompson. The males in a family have much more specific information given to them after testing. Family Tree DNA is one of the main companies which provide this service.
The current program on NBC entitled “Who Do You Think You Are” is presenting a variety of family history stories. It is on Fridays at 8:00 and is worth watching. Because of programs like this, more people every day are getting interested in their past. If you do research, please be aware that much information posted on the Internet is not accurate…use it only as a starting point for verification. Be wary of information with no source. Let’s not forget to ask questions of the most senior members of our family. They are our special family treasures!! We should interview them about times and people gone by and appreciate their wisdom.
We hope you can attend the reunion on October 2, 2011. Because of the many tasks that must be done to have this large gathering, we can always use some extra hands. Please call or email our President Philip or any of the board members if you are willing to get a little more involved.
Marilyn M. Lear Philip Stephens
4106 Riverside Drive 1083 Woodland Drive
Brunswick, GA 31520 Soperton, GA 30457
912-265-5916 912-529-3624
BackRiver@comcast.net WPhilipStephens@yahoo.com
Board Members:
Bo George, Clarke Johnson, Marilyn Lear, Historian and newsletter editor, Rhetta Pittman, Treasurer, Allen Thompson, Andy Thompson, Rev.
Clarence Thompson, Robert Thompson, Martha Walker.
[Please pass this newsletter on to others in your family & send us email addresses.]