All My Cousins? | Family Reunion 1958
by Elouise
All my cousins? Nope! There were 30 first cousins at this first-ever Renich family reunion in July 1958. If I’m counting right, we’re all there in the picture. That includes one babe in arms–back row, third from the left. Our newest edition was born only 12 days before the reunion. The grand total, including cousins on my father’s side not present at this reunion and not yet born, comes to 46 as of today.
Do I know all of them? No. Have I met all of them? With a few exceptions, yes. Our last reunion was in July 2013. Over 20 of my first cousins were there, plus offspring and at least three of our wonderful senior family members. About 140 -145 were able to come.
This photo was taken on Sunday morning in 1958. I’m in the back row, the fifth cousin from the left. Sister #2 is second from the left. Sister #3, Diane, is sitting in the third seat from the left. I think we’re all dressed up just for this picture, taken in a park near the Renich family house. I’m 14 1/2, Sister #2 is 13, Diane is 9. Sister #4 (5 years old) was in Savannah with our mother.
My first introduction to the Renich family home in Kansas came in 1950 when my family moved from California to Savannah, Georgia. Sister #2 and I stayed there for a while with our grandparents and other family members. My parents took Diane, still a baby, and drove to a mission organization conference in Pennsylvania.
The Renich Dairy began when my father’s family moved to Kansas in 1926. I loved watching the way everything worked, from delivery of milk from dairy farms, to preparing and bottling the milk, and sterilizing returned bottles from customers. Labor-intensive and fast-paced. Also successful, thanks to lots of hard work from many hands and a steady stream of satisfied customers.
Another highlight was the outhouse. The only option in 1950. It sat back in a corner of the yard–so that nighttime trips were more than a small adventure (in my opinion).
Back to 1958. What did we do at this reunion? As I recall, we sat around and talked, listened to family stories, ate a lot, hung out in the yard and in the house, and stayed out in the evenings to watch fireflies. There was a program of some sort, but that wasn’t what interested me most.
That honor belonged to a male cousin. He was older than I. Good-looking. Nice smile. And wonder of wonders, he came and sat with me on the backyard lawn one day. Not just side by side, but back to back. For me, this was heaven on earth. I couldn’t believe it. We even got teased.
This was the first time I’d ever believed for at least a little while that I was pretty. It wasn’t about meeting a heart-throb. It was about feeling I was a young woman and being happy with that. Even proud in a good way.
I think that’s why I’m smiling so nicely in the photo.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 6 August 2015
Renich Family Photo 1958 (photographer unknown)
Family pictures like this are great. I hope you have everyone identified for future generations. By the way I can say by your picture you are very pretty. That’s telling the truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! For reading and commenting, and for your kind comment about me. Yes, everyone has been identified, thankfully. We have several family members who have spent hours collecting and making available family history records and documents, including photos like this one. So happy you visited!
Elouise
LikeLike
Love these old photo posts so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jill!
Elouise
LikeLike
Yes, chmjr2 is Telling The Truth, I have always seen you as very pretty.
I have enjoyed being in the position to help and watch as our genealogy has been carefully documented.
In that 1958 picture, one of the cousins looks just like our unborn son, Donald later looked! It is fun to walk down Memory Lane in the Reunion photos. Hope it’s OK to branch out in these replies. Love, Aunt Leta
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I’m blushing! Thanks so much. I think branching out a bit like this is great. I love your comment about the similarity between your Donald and one of his cousins! I remember well when Uncle Fred came to visit us in Savannah. People looked at him and thought I was his daughter! He did look a lot like my father. And yes, great fun to go through the photos! I just wish I could interview absolutely everyone in them….
Elouise
LikeLike
Which was the male cousin who interested you? Inquiring minds want to know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! Here it is, nearly 9 years later, and my lips are still sealed! 💜💕
LikeLike
Hi Elouise, look what I found on the internet! What fun to read your blog on the family, particularly the 1958 reunion. I noticed you didn’t answer Nancy Adams comment, not that it matters – it had to have been one of Uncle Dave’s boys. I don’t have many memories of that reunion tho I was 9 at the time. Having just moved into the “big” house and having a swarm of relatives descend for several days was fun and overwhelming. I had a cousin “heart-throb” too but I won’t tell who. I do remember the picture taking in the park (I’m in front of you holding #7 child in my family.) Thanks for stirring up the memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so welcome, Ruth! I have now responded to my friend Nancy, and let her know my lips are still sealed! 🥰
That’s quite a lineup. I still remember parts of that reunion. I’m also sad that those days seem gone. Praying you’re doing as well as can be expected these days. 🙏🏻
LikeLike