Wyckoff House and Association: Chapter News

Chapter News

Reproduced from The Bulletin of the Wyckoff House & Association, Inc. Volume LXVI, 2003, pp. 66-68. Edited by Beth Ann Bassein.

Several More Wyckoff Reunions

Prudenville,Michigan
The Orson James Wyckoff Reunion was held on11 August 2002 in Prudenville, MI. Orson James Wyckoff was born 16 December 1872 and is of the Garret Line, number 875,453.1. His wife was Eliza Ellen Gray, born 12 October 1879. He may be referenced on p. 413 of The Wyckoff Family in America,vol. 2. At the reunion, the families of Maynard Orson, Frederick Osca, William Henry,and Forest Ray, all Wyckoffs, were present. The farthest distance that anyone traveled to get there was that of Linda Hunter of Houston, TX; the youngest person there were one-week old Haley Horn and three months old Alex Doyle. There was a moment of silence for Harold W. Wyckoff, who died 19 May 2002 and for Gail Watts, who died in July of 2002.

Olympia,Washington
Robert Charles Wyckoff from Olympia, WA, also reported a Christmas reunion of Wyckoffs held in 14 December 2002. Their gathering was in celebration of Sinterklaas and was promoted by Anita Brust, daughter of Ethel Wyckoff Travis, Robert Charles Wyckoff’s sister. Three generations of Wyckoffs, including the son and daughters of Frederick Charlesand Elna A. Wyckoff, were present, including: Robert, Jr., Victoria, Christine, John, Kevin,and Judy,children of Robertand Alma Gene Wyckoff; Anita, Jim,and Nichole, children of Ethel and Clarence Travis; and Ron, Becky, Janece, Michaeland Jennifer, children of Carl and Edith Lewis. Numerous pictures of this celebration, provided by Ron Olness, Edith Wyckoff Lewis’ son-in-law, were available for viewing on the internet.

Vancouver,British Columbia
Eleanor Summers writes that the British Columbia Chapter held its annual meeting on31 August 2002. Everyone enjoyed a potluck, and the children the swimming pool in the park where they met. At their short meeting, they reviewed Jill and Harry Wyckoff’s plans for their National Meeting to be held in October 2003 in Vancouver. Bob Wyckoff, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a report of his findings, while spending time in Ontario researching Canadian Wyckoff beginnings, and visiting archives and grave sites. One of his significant discoveries was the farm that was first occupied by Peter Wyckoff in the late 1700’s. When making this discovery, he kept other Wyckoffs posted via e-mail, so that they shared in his excitement. Bob Summers read an interesting article from the 1989 Bulletin about the Wyckoff connection with the Peary expedition in search of the North Pole, which revealed that the Wyckoff name is attached to geological features there.
Bob and Eleanor reported on the 2001 National Meeting in Flordia, which Jill and Harry also attended. (In October after this August meeting, Jill, Harry, Bob, and Eleanor attended the 2002 National Meeting in NYC, saying, “The day at the House celebrating the 350th Anniversary was the highlight.” They very much enjoyed the Museum’s New York Harbor Cruise and spent a few extra days exploringNew York.) Eleanor also points out that the Index to Wyckoff Bulletins has proved very useful.

Glendale,Arizona
The Arizona Chapter held its 16th Annual Wyckoff Reunion on1 March 2003 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale, AZ. Contact persons were Steve Thune and art Wycoff.

Northern California
Franc Wycoff reports that the Northern California Chapter also met in June 2003, too late to send in a report for the current Bulletin.

Stockton,Kansas
Marjorie Strutt (529,158,52) of Stockton, KS, writes of her family’s Christmas get-together: “There were 35 of 44 family members there. Needless to say, it was an enjoyable evening, catching up on everyone and visiting. Plenty to eat, of course. Then on January 11, at my 85th birthday party, those who didn’t make it to Christmas came, so I had a good visit with everyone during the Christmas and New Year season.” She later mentions, “I have been quite well and still play the piano for church at least one Sunday a month, and also whenever the regular organist cannot be there. I enjoy it, and it is something I can still do.”