Tercentennial (300 Year) Reunion of the Descendents of William Elder of Maryland

EMMITSBURG, MD—The William Elder of Maryland Descendents Association announces that it will host its Tercentennial (300 Year) Family Reunion July 21-25, 2011, at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This extraordinary event will bring together William Elder’s contemporary relations from around the country to meet each other and visit the ancestral homeland of the Elder Family.

Mount St. Mary’s University and Seminary, the second oldest Catholic college and seminary in the United States. Founded September 9, 1808 on what was originally William Elder’s property and still bears the name he gave to the area. The Seminary and University has the reputation of being the “Mother of Bishops,” since a large number of American Catholic prelates rank among its clerical alumni including Archbishop William Henry Elder a great-grandson of William Elder

Goals of the association include reestablished familial ties among Elder descendents, the preservation of family records, the establishment of a archival repository for their preservation, to further the study of Elder Family history and the work of those Elder family historians who have preceded us.

The Association is in the process of incorporating in Maryland as a non-profit corporation. To date the association has written bylaws, appointed officers, published its first newsletter, established a website and has started a membership drive.

Some of the Reunion events currently being planed are: Registration and an opening reception, meetings to share Elder history and genealogy include a massive family tree, A colonial encampment to illustrate the world the Elders lived in. A Mass of remembrance and thanksgiving near the Elder Cemetery, A Maryland Roadside marker dedication. A reunion dinner with a keynote address on William, Ann and Jacoba. We will also attempt to set a new Guinness World record for the number of people attending a family reunion.

Reunion participants will also enjoy a tour of historic sites at the College and in Frederick county linked to the family, a picnic lunch and pool party. A presentation on historic records relating to the Elders and archived at the Mt. St. Mary’s University Library. Accommodations will be in local hotels as well as in University housing.

Those interested in joining the association or getting more information about the reunion can also check out our website.



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Contact Information

Timothy P. Gallagher

President

William Elder of Maryland Descendents Association

Contact via E-mail