MEET ELAINE L. ORR
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ORR REUNION The Orr Reunion has been held in Mount Vernon, Missouri since 1937, bringing together the descendents of Paul and Isabelle (Boyd) Orr of the Townland of Rhee, Aghadowey Parish, which is near Coleraine in Londonderry, Northern Ireland (or Ulster, as it’s called in Ireland). The Townland of Rhee is about 300 acres, and the Macosquin River runs through it. Many of the residents were involved in the linen industry, especially Valentine Shirley's family (husband of Ann Orr). The reunion began exactly 100 years after William Orr and his wife Jennie (Adams) Orr came to Mount Vernon, and includes descendants of all of the families that have come to the United States.
The photo on the left shows the four 2009 attendees were were at the first reunion in 1937. Admittedly, they don't remember the event! From left to right are Susan Shepherd (who was reunion secretary for many years, having taken over from her mother), Doug Seneker (current reunion president), Wilma Baker (who has contributed much to reunion history), Margaret Comstock Samuels (who with husband Bobby makes the lemonade each year) and Larry Harrah (who has taken many reunion photos and, most important, was married to his wife Madge in the Brick Church). The photos are those of William and Jennie (Adams) Orr, who came to Mount Vernon, MO is 1837. For information on the specific Orr families who descend from Paul and Isabelle (Boyd) Orr, go to the Orr family page.
the reunion fun About 40 people attended the 2009 reunion, and many more sent
information on their families or letters to describe their current
activities. Photos always tell a better story than words. The first
shows the wonderful food that in-town family members bring.
Inside the church we have what is nominally termed the "business" meeting and is actually a heck of a good time.
The annual "Orr Trivia Contest," run by Pat and Mary Lou (Graham) Orr
gives prizes to those who know some of the more (arcane) facts about Orr
ancestors.
It's all so much fun that you need to come. Thanks to the Internet and postings on ancestry.com, we have located many relatives with whom we'd lost contact. Several families have attended for the first time, such as the Adams family, at right. The photo on left shows trivia game leaders Pat and Mary Lou Orr standing in front of pictures of William Orr and his wife Jennie Adams, Pat's ancestor. The photo also gives a sense of the beauty of Ozark Prairie Presbyterian Church, where the reunion is held each year. the 2010 reunion The 74th Reunion of the descendents of Paul and Isabelle Orr will meet Sunday, August 7th at the Ozark Prairie (Brick) Church, just outside of Mount Vernon, Missouri. (It's always on the first Sunday of August.) The church service at the "Brick Church" is at 10:45, and all are invited to attend. Lunch and visiting begin about noon, with the business meeting following that. For the last three years we have been able to meet in the newly added community room -- air conditioning is wonderful in August! The basket dinner will again include the lemonade made from the family recipe, thanks to the fine efforts of Margaret and Bobby Samuels. Local families bring food to share. Visitors from out of town just come and enjoy the good cooking. Keeping the Family Tree Growing Please bring or send information about your family to add to the ever-expanding display and computer family history file. If you cannot attend, please mail any such information to the Orr Reunion Association, POB 382, Mount Vernon, MO 65712. We love to get photos to scan, and promise to return them. (Or you can send scans you've done.) Send photos or scans to: Orr Reunion Association, POB 382, Mount Vernon, MO 65712. You can also email scans to Elaine (elaineorr55@yahoo.com). If you want to know if you are related to this Orr family, send Elaine a note at elaineorr55@yahoo.com. Elaine can also provide information about your ancestors, if you are from this huge family. |
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© 2010 by Elaine L. Orr |
You can see not only the expanse of good things to eat but also
a couple helpful folks. In blue is Wilma (Coffield) Baker, who has
donated the reunion history materials that her sister Eleanor Coffield
kept for the many years she was reunion historian. In white, getting
food, is Margaret (Comstock) Samuels, half of the lemonade team, and
behind her is Rev. Bill Harris.
This 2004 photo (below) shows Mary Lou encouraging a response
from the family of Bob and Lucille Adams. In front of them are Neil
and Carolyn Wortley. (Thanks to Larry Harrah for this photo.)