The O'Neal Genealogy Association Newsletter

This past month I had the pleasure of visiting the O'Neal/Means reunion in South Connellsville, Pennsylvania. The reunion was moved from Adelaide, where it has been held for many years to a new location. It was a very nice move indeed. The new site is very spacious with large pavillions, electric power and running water. Restroom facilities were close by, clean and convenient. The new site also has a huge pool, so, bring your swimwear next year! Camping sites can also be requested in advance for those who would like to spend the night at the park. For those who prefer more "civilized" accomodations, there is a motel about 2 miles up the road.

I'll add the new information to the 2004 reunion page as time permits.

There was a small but very representative turnout from four different generations and we had lots of genealogy information to share. The sad part of the reunion was the missing folks from the "1930's" generation due to the passing of so many of that generation in the last few years. One of the nice new things done this year was something that Jerry Means added to the agenda. Instead of just a standard introduction from each family, a representative was selected to speak for his/her family and to detail their ancestry. I thought this was very nice. It not only afforded us the opportunity of an introduction of each person, but an explantion of how they fit into the family. Who their granparents, great granprents, etc were. I've always struggleds over how each person fit together, so I thought this was very helpful

I also enjoyed the company of some of the folks from the generation one time ahead of me. We sat and listened to their stories of growing up, stories of their parents and grandparents, who were my great and great great grandparents, and how they lived. Some of the stories they told were humerous, while others were quite sad. All in all, it gave me a much better picture of my ancestors and some of the trials and tribulations, the triumphs and tragedies that they experienced in their everyday lives.

I'd recommend that if you have never been to this reunion, or if you have, but not recently, to come next year and check it out. I'm sure you'll be made welcome and within a few short minutes feel like a part of this wonderful family. Hope to see you there next year.

I received a reunion report from cousin, Lola Speratos, whi is descended from Abraham Holderman who married Charlotte O'Neal, as follows:

Hi; cousin, We had our Danielson/Holderman family reunion last week end in Walla Walla, Washington, "The city they liked so well they named it twice" ,

Actually it was in the Waitsburg church basement this year. That town is 20 miles north of WW but is such a small town, 1,000 people or so. Most do not

know where it is but have heard of WW. We had 65 there. I think I was the oldest blood relative. My Uncle John Danielson the youngest of 12 kids died about a month ago. he was 90. My cousin Phyllis was next but she did not come this year so I was next in line. Lola Speratos