AAFA 19th Annual Meeting and Family
Reunion
Alford
American Family Association, Inc.
2006 Meeting Report – Nashville, Tennessee
By Ramona Alford Darden, AAFA #0715
The Nashville, Tennessee Alford
Reunion 2006 is now over and everyone is safely home once again. For those of
you who attended, we hope it was a positive experience for you. Each person who
put together presentations worked very hard to make the meeting interesting for
those who attend each year. It would not be worth the effort without your
attendance, so we thank you for joining us this year. It is our intention to
not only have a worthwhile meeting but to get to know each of you as immediate
Alford family.
Prior to each annual meeting,
working members extract records from the state where we will hold our annual
meeting. Census records, marriage records, wills and estate papers found are
made available at each state meeting. There is also information on how to
research or suggestions on where to look next when you are at a dead end. Very
knowledgeable people in Internet research will help and make suggestions on
different web sites.
As soon as this year’s meeting
was completed, a search for the host city was made along with hotel proposals
from all major cities of the chosen state. Our host hotel should be large
enough to guarantee enough sleeping rooms for the group, have meeting space to
meet our needs along with in-house catering for our meals and snacks. Any hotel
with less than 175 sleeping rooms will not give our group a proposal. Our Board
of Directors is very aware of the rising cost of these events. The board spent
quite a lot of time in this year’s board meeting to determine how to try and
cut the cost and make the meeting affordable for all who want to attend. We
will be making every effort to consolidate, cutting cost where we can and still
meet the goal without sacrificing the quality of our meeting.
There are additional costs
included in each daily meeting as follows: projector screen(s), microphone and
podium, and even extension cords. The Internet hook-up is $250 per day use, and
daily meeting and display room(s) cleaning is also included. These are the
minimum basic items needed for our daily sessions, which is included in the
cost of a cookie and cup of coffee. If the meeting room cost goes up so does
the cookie and drinks. Some expense is figured in the two evening meal costs.
Friday’s meeting began with
About Alford Genealogy. Lynn Shelley is in charge of organizing the workshop
and works hard on her presentation as well as finding others to give talks on
other items of interest. She helps Gil all through the year to find new
information on the families of the host state and fill in gaps in those family
lines. For those of you who think this is just teaching how to do research, you
are wrong. There are many subjects covered in these presentations, which you are
missing if you haven’t recently attended the Friday workshop.
The first presentation was given
by Janice and John Smith on the Alford Photo Collection. There are currently
2,106 photos in the photo archives; the original photos are kept in two bank vault
boxes in Plano, TX. Janice keeps a very detailed list of each photo, which is
numbered with each person(s) identified in each picture. Janice is doing a
wonderful job caring for this collection. I might add she will not spend the
night anywhere on the way to our annual meeting without taking all the pictures
out of their vehicle. She sleeps with the pictures by her bed; otherwise she
doesn’t sleep for worry not knowing if they are all safe. I would call that
very dedicated. Thanks Janice for all your care and concern.
Last year’s Baby Photo Contest
was a great hit. This year a School Days Photo Contest was another highlight of
the meeting. Going around visiting with attending members to help pick up
features to identify in a photo is an important part. This created the
opportunity to visit and also learn more about each
other and have fun doing it.
John Smith worked really hard on each of the 42 photos getting them ready and
placing on presentation boards for review.
John supplies photos for our
Quarterly, the Hall of Fame Album and to Earline Alford for the Memorial Albums, if there is a photo available from the photo
collection. John, Janice and Walt are all behind the cameras at our annual
meeting; guess you could call them our Meeting Photo Historians. Most members
who only come to an occasional meeting do not know John is not an Alford
descendant. However, I think John had an Alford blood transfusion; he even
thinks like an Alford and is a very active member of our organization including
a member of the Board of Directors.
Alicia Houston, Doris Vetri, Lynn
Shelley, Marian Hodges and Evelyn Mistich visit as they try to figure out the
identities of the school pictures of the attendees. (Photo submitted by Joana Breeland)
Later
in the morning, Lynn Shelley gave an informative presentation on general
migration paths to Tennessee as well as Alford migrations to different areas of
Tennessee. A part of her talk consisted of Tennessee Land Records and how
important they are in the study of genealogy. Sometimes the land records can
prove that even though county names and boundary changes occurred, a family may
not have moved at all.
After
our lunch break, Max Alford reported on Alford DNA. We were given a lesson on
the several levels of testing offered, and how does one know which is the right
one to choose. Max explained the test levels: 12, 37, and 67 marker test and
the cost for each.
Several
groups of families have still not been able to completely determine the
relationship of group members with our 37 marker test. Therefore we see two
main advantages of testing 67 markers over testing 37. Y-DNA67 can further
refine the relationship of two individuals by use of the additional markers.
Plus, there is a better chance of finding mutations that identify sub-branches
in the family. There are eighteen Alfords who have taken the DNA test and are
sharing the results with AAFA. Currently, there are five branches of Alfords
that have been determined to be related by the DNA tests that up until now had
no known common ancestors. Research will have to be done much further back to
untangle this web and find this common ancestor. I am sure as more and more
lines have DNA testing done, AAFA will find more line connections as Alfords
came to this country. There are five other groups of DNA testers who have no
known connection with the five branches mentioned above. This is getting more
and more interesting as more people order tests.
Our
blood holds the secrets to who we are, and increasingly, individuals, families
and research scientists are using genetic testing to tell us what we don’t
already know. Human genomes are 99.9 percent identical; we are far more similar
than diverse. But that tiny 0.1 percent difference holds clues to our
ancestries, the roots of all human migration and, with the right testing, our
propensity for disease. Tens of thousands of Americans have swabbed their
cheeks and mailed in their DNA to companies nationwide for testing. Far-flung
cousins are finding each other; family legends are being overturned. Six years
ago the term genetic genealogy was meaningless, says Bennett Greenspan, head of
Family Tree DNA, which has 52,000 customers, “Now the interest is huge.”
20th
Century Military Records by Gil Alford completed our presentations for Friday
day sessions.
We
all made a mad dash to our rooms for a quick power rest and then back down for
a lovely evening meal. There was no program for this meal, just eat and renew
old relations and friendships and make new ones with the “mix and mingle” theme
of the sit down dinner. This is our first opportunity to really visit with
those that we only see once every year or two and to meet the new attendees.
President Max Alford conducted our
Saturday morning business meeting. He opened the meeting by welcoming everyone
in attendance. Max introduced the AAFA Officers and those Board of Directors
members that were in attendance.
Directors whose terms continue past
this meeting are as follows:
Alicia Houston, PA Doris
A. Vetri, NJ
Max Alford, TX John
Smith, TX
Ramona A. Darden, TX Evelyn
Mistich, LA
Paul Davidson, LA Matt
Alford, TX
The following slate of names was
presented as officer nominees:
President – Max Ray Alford, TX
V- Pres – Matt Alford, TX
Secretary – Evelyn Mistich, LA
Treasurer – Doris A. Vetri, NJ
The Director nominees were introduced
as follows:
Emmett Earl Alford, MS Lynn
Shelley, MO
Pam Thompson, CA Carolyn
Saunders, TX
Frieda Shepherd, CA
For the first time ever, we had more
Board nominees than we had slots. A paper ballot for the Board of Directors was
included in the Registration Packet handed out as each member signed in. It was
a very close vote. The new Board members are Emmett Earl Alford, MS; Lynn
Shelley, MO; Pam Thompson, CA; and Carolyn Saunders, TX. The new Board then
convened for the express purpose of electing new officers. The slate of officer
nominees were then elected by the Board, by a unanimous voice vote
Ramona Darden, Meetings Chair, asked
members to decide where members would like to hold their 2008 meeting. The group
voted to go to South Carolina. Our meeting for 2007 will be held in
Mississippi, but as yet, the city is currently undetermined, as we have not
received enough proposals for a reasonable decision.
During the Alford Forum on Saturday
afternoon, Gil Alford discussed the various family branches represented at this
year’s meeting. He was assisted by John and Janice Smith with overhead photos
of some of the members of each represented branch. Gil gave a small
introduction on each family line and asked the member to expand on their family
lineage and if they had a story of interest to the group to share it with the
group. There were very interesting stories shared which all enjoyed hearing
about. Gil’s presentation is always among the highlights of our annual meeting
Our Saturday evening Banquet began
with a lovely Buffet Dinner in the main Ballroom.
The presentation and honors part of
the evening began with Ramona Alford Darden and Earline Alford honoring not
only those members who have died during this past year but also those that AAFA
was only made aware of during the past year. The Memorial Service began with a
lovely poem ”Don’t Grieve For Me, For Now I’m Free.” Each name was read and the
ships bell tolled after each.
Those honored were as follows:
0520 Joan
B. Bartlett Apr 25, 1933 – Nov 12, 2004
0898 Norma
F. Burke Jan 28, 1936 – Sep 04, 2005
0389 Isaac
E. Alford Sep 08, 1919 – Oct 30, 2005
0725 James
W. Alford Mar 21, 1935 – Nov 23, 2005
0198 Addie
L. A. Alford Oct 06, 1927 – Dec 15, 2005
0837 George
W. Alford Apr 28, 1916 – Feb 02, 2006
0961 Jack
L. Alford Nov 19, 1920 – Feb 11, 2006
0204 Douglas
L. Alford Apr 21, 1905 – Feb 20, 2006
1065 G.
Morris Myers Oct 01, 1946 – Mar 22, 2006
0178 Robert
S. Barrows Nov 12, 1919 – Oct 22, 2006
0980 Betty
J. A. Wells Sep 03, 1928 – Sep 24, 2006
1051 Paul
Allison Jun 27, 1935 – Sep 29, 2006
0246 M.
Ella Alford Dec 21, 1931 – Dec 03, 2006
Max Alford made the following
presentation for Hall of Fame honors: “She has provided long and faithful
service as a researcher, a collector of data, the Mississippi State
Representative, the genealogist for the Mississippi Chapter of AAFA, serving in
that capacity until state chapters were discontinued and having served as state
host of the 1991 meeting in Jackson, Mississippi, the Board is pleased to
induct Ruby Alford Heard into the Alford American Family Association Hall of
Fame. The Alford Association appreciates her long and continuing service to our
cause.”
Max also presented the Distinguished
Member Awards for their faithful service this past year to AAFA to the
following:
Pat Smith for her service as AAFA
Director and her mailing of the quarterly.
Pat Smith receiving the
Distinguished Member Award
from President Max Alford
Joana Breeland has assisted Pat Smith
with the mailing of the quarterlies. These two ladies do a fine job of seeing
that you get your quarterly in a timely manner.
Joana Breeland receiving the
Distinguished Member Award
from President Max Alford.
Evelyn Mistich is the treasurer for
the annual meetings and as such, receives all meeting registrations, deposits
the money and also sees that everyone who has a part in organizing the meetings
gets a copy of each registration. In her spare time, she also assists Doris as
treasurer.
Evelyn Mistich receiving the
Distinguished Member Award
from President Max Alford.
President
Max Alford reminded us that next year will be the 20th Anniversary
of the Alford American Family Association. At that time, Max presented a lovely
crystal award to Gil and Mary Alford as the founder and driving force behind
the organization. It was engraved “20th Anniversary 1987-2007 Alford
American Family Assn.” Gil accepted the award on behalf of the Association.
President Max Alford presented Gil
and Mary Alford with a special award
commemorating the 20th
anniversary of AAFA in 2007.
Ramona
Darden conducted the drawing for the one free room night given to one member
who was one of the first 25 who registered with the hotel and also AAFA. Helen
Steele was the lucky winner, and was also the very first person to sign up to
attend the meeting this year. Congratulations Helen! Let this be an incentive
for others to register early.
Earline Alford conducted the raffle
drawing of lovely gifts donated by generous members of AAFA.
Marian Hodges won a personalized
Alford Wine Basket donated by Carl and MaryLee Alford. MaryLee was also
responsible for decorating the basket.
Janet Hemby won a handmade afghan
donated by Marie Bateman.
Joana Breeland won a hand made trivet
& coaster set donated by Ramona Darden.
There were many more prizes awarded at
the Awards Dinner but the names of the winners escape me at the moment. Peggy
Wood donated a prayer shawl for the raffle, Sherry Handfinger donated two
Memory Albums with paper and stickers, Carolyn Saunders donated a copy of her
new book, “My Alford Heritage,” and Wick Alford donated a copy of his new book,
“Playing for Time – War on an Asiatic Fleet Destroyer.” Carolyn Saunders also
donated a lovely Victorian photo album for family photos. If you donated a
prize and it is not listed here, I ask two things of you. First and foremost, I
ask your forgiveness for not having it listed and second, I ask that you please
let one of the officers or directors know what you donated and we will
acknowledge that donation in a future issue of the quarterly. We do not want to
slight anyone. So please let us know.
With the conclusion of the Banquet,
lots of our members retired to the hotel lobby for more social conversation and
relaxation. Another successful meeting had come to an end.
The following is the list of meeting
attendees:
ASN FNAME LNAME CITY ST FAMILY
0484 Lynn D. Shelley Springfield MO ann790ga/ISH755NC
0152 Janice &
John Smith Plano TX BAL784NC/ISH755NC
1247 Walt Smith Dallas TX BAL784NC/ISH755NC
0768 Norma, Paul Idom Lenoir
City TN BRI781NC/ISH755NC
& Donna
Matthew Idom Nashville TN BRI781NC/ISH755NC
1071 Bob, Deb Hemby Acworth GA DAV785VA/ROB760EN
&
Lauren
0059 Don & Joan Alford Melbourne FL DAV785VA/ROB760EN
1072 Floyd Alex Alford Nashville TN DAV785VA/ROB760EN
0832 Janet Alford Hemby Houston TX DAV785VA/ROB760EN
0350 Marian Alford Hodges Little
Rock AR DAV785VA/ROB760EN
1138 Deloris &
Jim Bitting Baton Rouge LA EDW792NC/JOH687VA
1049 Pat Sidebottom Murfreesboro TN EDW808KY/WIL751NC
1237 Sherry D.H. Handfinger Chapel
Hill NC GRE787NC/LOD749NC
0791 Emerson Alford Meggs Adams TN HEN815SC/JAM687VA
1276 Sherry L. T. Schlereth Gainesville GA JOB763NC/JAM687VA
1102 Kenneth Neal Alford Barbourville KY JOH787NC/!!!!!!NC
1056 Ruth, Rome Sample Benton KY JOH787NC/!!!!!!NC
&
Stephen
0001 Alicia Houston Monroeville PA THO802VA/JOH696MD
0171 Robert H. Alford,
MD Nashville TN JOH790VA/JOH696MD
0470 William C. Alford Nashville TN JOH790VA/JOH696MD
David Alford Nashville TN JOH790VA/JOH696MD
Allison
Fontenot Alford Nashville TN JOH790VA/JOH696MD
0664 Mike &
Betty Heazel, Jr Severna Park MD JOH795VA/JOH696MD
0196 Arliene F. Alford Hemphill TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
1272 Carl & MaryLee Alford Muenster TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0615 David Alford Alto TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0303 Doris O. A. Vetri Mount
Laurel NJ JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0835 Matt, Sunni Alford Little
Elm TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
&
Taylor
0230 Max & Earline Alford Mesquite TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0666 Peggy &
Walt Schuster Richardson TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0208 Roy & Linda Alford Montgomery TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0836 Samantha Kay Alford Mesquite TX JOH801NC/!!!!!!NC
0611 Charles &
Joan Alford Oakland CA JOH807LA/JAM687VA
1054 Geraldine
“Jerry” Alford Mt. Hermon LA JOH807LA/JAM687VA
0019 Gil & Mary Alford,
Jr Florissant MO JOH807LA/JAM687VA
1227 Jessica Louise Tedder Brooklyn NY JOH807LA/JAM687VA
1259 Lorraine Alford Mabus Amite LA JOH807LA/JAM687VA
0270 Mary Alford Davis Dallas TX JOH807LA/JAM687VA
1142 Mildred J.
Brock Breeland Tylertown MS JOH807LA/JAM687VA
0064 Patricia B. Smith McComb MS JOH807LA/JAM687VA
0120 Sally &
Dick Stoewer Baton Rouge LA JOH807LA/JAM687VA
0904 Helen & Bob Steele Lakewood CO JOS816LA/JAM687VA
0868 Frank M. Pangburn Chico CA LAN804VA/JOH696MD
0481 Evelyn Z. Mistich Belle
Chasse LA SEA807LA/JAM687VA
0544 John A. Rogers New
Market AL TUR800NC/JAM687VA
0568 Kathy &
John Schultz Germantown TN WIL780VA/!!!!!!VA
1162 Diane G. Weathers Mt.
Juliet TN WIL783NC/JAM687VA
0658 Donna Graves Ferrell Mt.
Juliet TN WIL783NC/JAM687VA
Roy &
Carolyn Gregory Gallatin TN WIL783NC/JAM687VA
0715 Ramona Alford Darden Houston TX WIL787VA/SAL716VA
0439 Earl &
Pauline Alford Liberty MS WIL804GA/JAM687VA
0562 Patricia &
Robert Thorn Hitchcock TX WIL812GA/JAM687VA
Barbara Howell Memphis
TN
Norm &
Val Tumlinson Athens TX
