Invitation to the 3rd Finkbeiner Family Reunion at Baiersbronn in 1999

The following is an invitation to the 3rd Finkbeiner Family Reunion to be held in Baiersbronn in 1999. On this site you will find excerpts from the "Finkbeiner Rundbrief", a newsletter sent to approximately 1200 families throughout Germany

The »Finkbeiner Rundbrief«

Every two years an international Family reunion is held in the USA/Canada. While such reunions are common in the United States, they are less frequent in Germany. There are documents from 1906, indicating Finkbeiners in Michigan, held their 13th family reunion during that year. Not long ago,the family in that area was honored by the State of Michigan for holding their 100th reunion. The International Finkbeiner Reunions do not have such a lengthy history but we hope that this is the beginning of what will be an on going tradition for Finkbeiners around the world. In 1997, 35 Germans were able to attend the 2nd International reunion held in Credition, Ontario, Canada. In 1995 there were nearly the same number of Americans who were able to attend in Baiersbronn. Both reunions had nearly 300 attendees. Considering the fact there are perhaps 1300 Finkbeiner households in all of Germany and about the same number in the United States, we most definitely feel they were successful reunions and enjoyed by all who were able to participate.

Finkbeiner around the world

We are looking forward to a substantial number to attend the 3rd Reunion to be held at Baiersbronn, Black Forest, Germany. Modern communications help make this possible. We are attempting to contact as many Finkbeiner, Finkbonner and similar varients as we are able to. This will include those derivatives formed in the last century in the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Alsace (France). We will reach as many possible via the internet. The internet is not widely used in Germany, so those families will need to be contacted by conventional mail. Your help will be greatly appreciate. Even if you are unable to attend the reunion, we would appreciate your passing the information on to all who may be interested.

Finbeiner meets Finkbeiner

One motive for having this reunion is the opportunities it offers to gather genealogical information. This is important, but not the main purpose. Meeting cousins from around the world and getting to know each other is the main thrust behind this gathering. We certainly are interested in collecting all the information available about the descendants of each person attending Family stories, lineage, anecdotes, all family history data would be welcomed. Of course there is no obligation. We hope to be able to compile the information given and distribute it to those who are interested, at a later date.

Planning

Many Finkbeiners are planning in co-operation, the 3rd International Family Reunion for 1999. As yet, there is not detailed schedule. As soon as more information is available, it will be published on this site. At this point, it is fairly certain, that for our foreign guests, some day trips and area sight-seeing will be made available. All are welcomed to join in any of the activities that will be planned, as desired.