Joseph Reunion 2015
On a picturesque June day, almost 120 Joseph cousins from all over the nation reunited for sharing family history, games, and stories at the original farm of Sebastian and Anna Eva Joseph, bought in 1849 and still in the family 166 years later. With displays of family artifacts and demonstrations of antique farm implements, cousins were able to get a glimpse into what life was like for their ancestors. In a special surprise, a FedEx delivery that morning brought a plaque from the state of Illinois certifying the farm as an Illinois sesquicentennial farm; it is still farmed by Sebastian and Anna Eva's great, great, grandson Kenneth and Mary Ann and owned by Kenneth and Mary Ann, as well as his sister Gladys and her husband Jim.
A big thanks to everyone who traveled to attend, who brought a family member, who baked a dessert, who shared family history, who helped with planning, who helped with crafts, music, and games, who served dinner, who help set-up and take-down all of the furnishings, and who researched and contacted long-lost relatives to add to the invite list. A very special thank you to Kenneth and Mary Ann for opening up their home and farm for two days of celebrating, in addition to all of the background research and preparation they and their children did to make this possible for all of us. The Josephs -- near and far -- are an amazing and dedicated family!
To give or get more information about family history, to share more photos of the reunion, to keep in touch, or to help plan future gatherings, email Gladys at josephhomecoming@gmail.com.
Hope to see everyone again soon!
