Four generations celebrated 100th consecutive family reunion in Sherburne
On July 21, 65 family members from descendants of Carl Jonnson, his wife Katrina and his brother Benget Petter, and wife Inga Lisa reunited for their 100th consecutive family reunion in Sherburne. (Submitted photo)
SHERBURNE — It's not often multi-generations can get together for one reunion in a five or ten year time, but for a family in Sherburne, the descendants of Carl Jonnson and his wife Katrina, along with his brother Benget Petter and his wife Inga Lisa, make sure to reconnect every year and 2024 marked their 100th family reunion.
Family member Kelly Uyehara said four generations were present from both sides of the family.
“This year, on July 21, we had 65 family members attending, with some coming from Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania along with many from central New York including New Berlin, Norwich, Sherburne-Earlville, Edmeston, Franklin, Morrisville and Skaneateles,” Kelly said.
She said a reunion has been held every year since 1924, with a record kept for most of the years and this year the reunion was held in Sherburne.
“The descendants of Carl Jonnson, his wife Katrina and his brother Benget Petter, his wife Inga Lisa are the foundation of this family,” said Kelly.
She said the descendants of Benget and Inga Lisa in attendance were members of several families: Benson, Gustavson, Hall, Austin, Beaumont Uyehara, Senn, Kane, Macdougall, Nasholts, Leubner Potter, Hume, Scanlon and Berberick.
“The oldest in attendance was Gail Palmer, and the Youngest was Zoe MacDougall age 2, the 4th great granddaughter of Benget and Inga Lisa,” Kelly said.
She said much time was spent visiting, connecting each person to who they belonged to and which branch they came from.
Kelly said she was hoping her great-aunt Grace Gustafson, who lives in Norwich, could attend so they could celebrate her birthday but unfortunately she couldn’t make the trip. She said Grace will be turning 109 in September.
“We celebrated with a cake and birthday wishes via a video we will share with her,” said Kelly.
In honor of their Swedish roots, several traditional Swedish dishes were served, including traditional Swedish meatball, Swedish brown beans, sill; a pickled herring dish, and a "smorgasbord" of hot and cold dishes along with a variety of desserts.
Kelly said to make the day a little more fun, they held a raffle for a basket of Swedish themed goodies, and a craft table was set up for family members to paint their very own Dalah horses.
The horses are folk art in nature and a prominent symbol associated with Sweden.
Kelly continued sharing the family history from both branches of the family.
She said Benget's son, Manfred, arrived in New York in the early 1900’s, living first in New York City then moving to New Berlin via connections that helped Swedish immigrants get settled, and find work.
“Manfred, upon his arrival, had his surname americanized from Bengetson to Benson and was a hired hand on a farm and eventually was able to purchase a dairy farm,” said Kelly.
“His wife Annie Benson arrived in New York city via Ellis Island and their seven children grew up in New Berlin on the family farm,” she added.
She said several family members continued to live n New Berlin, such as the Bensons and Austins. Others moved to Norwich and include the Gustafson and Gregory family. Additional Hume members moved to Edmeston and the Groff family moved to Sidney.
Chenango and Otsego counties have remained home for several generations, with a few moving to other areas of Central New York and out of state.
She said the other branch of the family tree was represented as Carl & Katrina Johnson, the Swenson, Thompson, Crundon and Palmer families.
Kelly said this branch also migrated from Sweden and made their way to Chenango and Otsego County areas.
“Many became dairy farmers and at some point, the Carlson name was lost and descendants and branches became Swenson, Anderson, Thompson and Palmer, among a few other lines.” said Kelly.
She said these family members remained in the area with members settling in the Sherburne/Earlville area, Norwich and McDonough.
“Through the years, our cousins have remained close, hence the annual reunions,” she added.
Kelly said she believes it’s important to know one's heritage as this knowledge gives us roots.
“It’s important to understand the roots of family traditions to make connections and provide a sense of belonging,” she aded. “I like to think this knowledge and connection makes us stronger, as well as forms the tapestry of our lives.”
She said It takes generations to weave the story, but in the end it is a beautiful thing to reflect on.
“Family is everything, it is where our story begins, and continues,” said Kelly. “I am so very grateful that I have been blessed to see this model and I have made it a priority to continue to have strong bonds with my family.”
Kelly said work has begun to update the family tree thanks to several members collaborating on the project.
Family member Kelly Uyehara said four generations were present from both sides of the family.
“This year, on July 21, we had 65 family members attending, with some coming from Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania along with many from central New York including New Berlin, Norwich, Sherburne-Earlville, Edmeston, Franklin, Morrisville and Skaneateles,” Kelly said.
She said a reunion has been held every year since 1924, with a record kept for most of the years and this year the reunion was held in Sherburne.
“The descendants of Carl Jonnson, his wife Katrina and his brother Benget Petter, his wife Inga Lisa are the foundation of this family,” said Kelly.
She said the descendants of Benget and Inga Lisa in attendance were members of several families: Benson, Gustavson, Hall, Austin, Beaumont Uyehara, Senn, Kane, Macdougall, Nasholts, Leubner Potter, Hume, Scanlon and Berberick.
“The oldest in attendance was Gail Palmer, and the Youngest was Zoe MacDougall age 2, the 4th great granddaughter of Benget and Inga Lisa,” Kelly said.
She said much time was spent visiting, connecting each person to who they belonged to and which branch they came from.
Kelly said she was hoping her great-aunt Grace Gustafson, who lives in Norwich, could attend so they could celebrate her birthday but unfortunately she couldn’t make the trip. She said Grace will be turning 109 in September.
“We celebrated with a cake and birthday wishes via a video we will share with her,” said Kelly.
In honor of their Swedish roots, several traditional Swedish dishes were served, including traditional Swedish meatball, Swedish brown beans, sill; a pickled herring dish, and a "smorgasbord" of hot and cold dishes along with a variety of desserts.
Kelly said to make the day a little more fun, they held a raffle for a basket of Swedish themed goodies, and a craft table was set up for family members to paint their very own Dalah horses.
The horses are folk art in nature and a prominent symbol associated with Sweden.
Kelly continued sharing the family history from both branches of the family.
She said Benget's son, Manfred, arrived in New York in the early 1900’s, living first in New York City then moving to New Berlin via connections that helped Swedish immigrants get settled, and find work.
“Manfred, upon his arrival, had his surname americanized from Bengetson to Benson and was a hired hand on a farm and eventually was able to purchase a dairy farm,” said Kelly.
“His wife Annie Benson arrived in New York city via Ellis Island and their seven children grew up in New Berlin on the family farm,” she added.
She said several family members continued to live n New Berlin, such as the Bensons and Austins. Others moved to Norwich and include the Gustafson and Gregory family. Additional Hume members moved to Edmeston and the Groff family moved to Sidney.
Chenango and Otsego counties have remained home for several generations, with a few moving to other areas of Central New York and out of state.
She said the other branch of the family tree was represented as Carl & Katrina Johnson, the Swenson, Thompson, Crundon and Palmer families.
Kelly said this branch also migrated from Sweden and made their way to Chenango and Otsego County areas.
“Many became dairy farmers and at some point, the Carlson name was lost and descendants and branches became Swenson, Anderson, Thompson and Palmer, among a few other lines.” said Kelly.
She said these family members remained in the area with members settling in the Sherburne/Earlville area, Norwich and McDonough.
“Through the years, our cousins have remained close, hence the annual reunions,” she added.
Kelly said she believes it’s important to know one's heritage as this knowledge gives us roots.
“It’s important to understand the roots of family traditions to make connections and provide a sense of belonging,” she aded. “I like to think this knowledge and connection makes us stronger, as well as forms the tapestry of our lives.”
She said It takes generations to weave the story, but in the end it is a beautiful thing to reflect on.
“Family is everything, it is where our story begins, and continues,” said Kelly. “I am so very grateful that I have been blessed to see this model and I have made it a priority to continue to have strong bonds with my family.”
Kelly said work has begun to update the family tree thanks to several members collaborating on the project.
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