This week I had a chance to read a brand-new book, called Your
Family Reunion – How To Plan It, Organize It and Enjoy It. The book
was written by George C. Morgan, a well-known genealogy author and speaker,
and a columnist on Ancestry.com. His feature "Along Those Lines ..."
can be read at: www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/george/george.asp.
George’s new book is a guide for organizing a successful reunion, regardless
of whether it is a casual backyard barbecue, a get-together at a hotel or resort,
or a weeklong cruise.
George Morgan seems to hammer away at one theme: planning, planning,
planning. He then goes on to show how to do such planning without becoming wrapped
up in details. He shows easy and proven methods of compiling a family address
book, developing a realistic budget, choosing a great location, working with
hotels, caterers and other vendors, keeping records, and sending invitations
to planning activities to get people communicating, ideas for sharing and gathering
genealogical information, setting up the site, managing details on-site, and
evaluating the event. He also lists many helpful Internet sites that provide
resources to help you with all facets of successful family reunion planning.
I especially appreciate Appendix B in Your Family Reunion.
This section is full of sample forms to help you organize the event. You could
keep such forms on paper or in your computer; the result should be about the
same. The sample forms in the book include a Family Reunion Survey, Family Contact
Sheet, Registration Form, Planning Summary, Announcements, Mail Tracking Log,
Budget Spreadsheet, Reunion Evaluation Form, Family Genealogy Correction Form,
and even a Follow-Up Thank You Letter.
Your Family Reunion is easy to read and provides a lot
of great ideas. If you are planning a family reunion or even thinking about
planning one, you want this book!
Your Family Reunion by George C. Morgan is published by
Ancestry.com. It retails for $16.95, and you should be able to order it through
any bookstore if you specify ISBN 0-916489-97-3. However, you can also order
it directly on Ancestry’s secure Web site for two dollars less: $14.95
plus tax and shipping.
For more information about Your Family Reunion by George
C. Morgan or to order it online, look at: shops.ancestry.com/product.asp?productid=2460&shopid=128.
Dick Eastman Online
