Orr, Campbell, Shirley, and Mitchell/Knox Descendants Gather Annually
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). Newly found descendants are always welcome. Click on the Families link (at left) to see some descendants. To see photos of the church in Agadowey, on which the Ozark Prairie Church was modeled, click on the family photos link.
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 buttons on the left take you to some photos and more family history info. Early families went predominantly to Missouri (Lawrence and Jasper Counties), Allen County, IN (Fort Wayne area -- James' family), and Philadlphia, PA and Quincy, MA (Shirley family).
You can find out family history information from the Reunion historian any time (email below). If you would like to purchase a full history of the family, Orr, Campbell, Mitchell and Shirley Familes in Ireland and America is available at:
www.createspace.com/3631277
2011 Reunion
The 75th Reunion of the descendents of Paul and Isabelle Orr met Sunday, August 7th at the Ozark Prairie (Brick) Church, just outside of Mount Vernon, Missouri. WE HAD A GREAT TIME! Look in the Orr Family Photos section (left) for some pix.
The reunion is always on the first Sunday of August, and above is a photo of the church. (The church is at 15032 Lawrence 2077, which is 3 miles outside Mount Vernon.)
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.
Inside the church after lunch we have what is nominally termed the "business" meeting and is actually a heck of a good time. Secretary/Historian Elaine Orr lets us now who has found whom, and Treasurer Kathy Seneker Fairchild keep us solvent.
We elected a new president in 2011, as longtime president (from 1989 to 2010!) Doug Seneker passed away shortly after the 2010 reunion. We miss him! Mark Seneker led the meeting, and elections resulted in Naomi Orr, President, Elaine Orr Secretary, and Kathy Seneker Fairchild, Treasurer.
How We Have Fun
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 the family. Pat and Mary Lou always throw in a couple of easy questions so younger attendees can win a prize.
Each year we ask attendees to brag about new children or grandchildren and we take a few minutes to recognize those who died in the past year. There is also a tradition of honoring the oldest attendee, and no one seems to mind owning up to their age.
Keeping the 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. Click on The Families on the left to see more.
|