Who we are...
The Sheldon Family Association was founded in 1939 by a group of Sheldon descendants, with the purpose of furthering interest in their heritage and preserving their family history.
The genealogical data with which the SFA began was originally collected by Reverend Henry O. Sheldon, a circuit preacher, as he rode from village to village in the 1800s. Rev. Sheldon documented five apparently unrelated Sheldon families dating back to Colonial times; SFA members are descendants of these five families. Over the years, this original “database” has been researched and continually updated, now containing over 70,000 names, including Sheldon spouse data.
But the SFA has become much more than a surname-based genealogy society. Over the years, as descendants of these Sheldon families have met annually in various locations across the nation at the Sheldon Family Association reunion and business meeting, a strong sense of family has grown between the members of the various families. While the business meeting is the focal point of the reunions, time is always set aside for group activities, or just spending time with other Sheldons.
In truth, we have become more of an extended family, sharing the bond of a common heritage and a common purpose.
Take a few minutes to learn more about the Sheldon Family Association, and its long history, activities and resources. And if you have a Sheldon ancestor, please request a free search of the award winning Sheldon Family Association Database (a composite of the Sheldon Magazine brought into the present day with information supplied by Sheldon descendants) - just write or email Rose at Genealogist@sheldonfamily.org. You'll find more information on the Contact Us page.
2010 Annual Reunion ** UPDATE **
August 5-7, 2010 in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Please note the date change...we previously announced the dates July 29-August 1, but the reunion has been pushed back a week due to conflicts. Keep checking back with us...we'll have more information for you as it becomes available...
Join us at the Sheldon Family Association's 71st annual reunion in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
This year's reunion theme is Railroading: the Next Big Migration.
Our programs will join both genealogy and railroading. Our speakers will be Judge Don Johnston, a Grand Rapids native and SFA member, who will share material from his research on colonial Sheldons, and by Don Meints, who will present a history of Michigan railroads.
The Reunion will be held at the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown, which has recently been beautifully renovated. The hotel is across the street from the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and next to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The downtown area is just a short walk, but there is also public transportation and plenty of parking, if you prefer to drive. The Holiday Inn is holding a block of rooms for the Reunion at a special rate, so be sure to book early. ** NEW ** We've added information about local Grand Rapids campgrounds on the Reunion webpage!
There are many things to see and do in and around Grand Rapids, including shopping, restaurants, theaters, summer riverside events, museums, the zoo, and within a short ride, the beaches and the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. Click here for more information, and keep checking back - we'll be adding more information as the Reunion gets closer!
We always enjoy getting together and we hope we'll have the opportunity to meet lots of new Sheldons, too. The 2010 Reunion committee is working hard to put together a great Sheldon experience - we hope to see you there!
Recent Events...
Comments from the SFA Questionnaire
Many interesting comments were made by some of the Sheldons who filled out the recent SFA Questionnaire...click on Questionnaire to take a look at them.
2009 Annual Reunion
The 2009 Reunion in Geneseo, NY was a wonderful experience and a huge success!
Alberta Sheldon Dunn, the 2009 Reunion Meeting Host, along with the Reunion committee, worked very hard at all the arrangements, including organizing the group trips as well as the Banquet and Annual Meeting.
Many of the attendees joined the Board on Thursday for a first-night dinner. The Friday night Italian buffet attendees were entertained by a Sheldon skit and Alberta's well-researched presentation on the East-to-West migrations and the Erie Canal.
Some of our Sheldons took advantage of the group trips to the Eastman House of Photography, the Genesee Country Village and Museum, and Letchworth State Park, while others struck out on their own and enjoyed a trip on the Erie Canal. The Sheldon hospitality suite with its displays and access to the Sheldon Genealogy database was a high point, as always.
The business meeting with its delicious banquet dinner was visited by the Rev. H.O. Sheldon himself (ably portrayed by Rose Sheldon Newton). After-dinner entertainment was provided by a performance of the Smugtown Stompers (one of the members is also a Sheldon descendant), specializing in light jazz and early 20th century music.
Many thanks to Alberta and all the other Sheldons who were part of the Reunion committee for their hard work putting together a yet another wonderful Reunion...once again giving us the opportunity to come together and renew old friendships, and to meet new Sheldon cousins.
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Click on the thumbnail to see photos of our 2009 reunion! |
Thanks for visiting our site - hope we see you in Michigan!
