Texas Cousins

by Glenn N. Holliman

A Gathering in Texas....

This past weekend while attending a nephew's wedding, I took time out to share lunch Lynn Fusinato and two other distant cousins and old friends, Lynn Holliman and Joseph Parker.

Lynn Holliman and Joe had attended Holliman gatherings in Alabama, and Lynn F. plans to join the clan at the Smithfield, Virginia event next spring.  (See announcement at close of this article)

What do committed family historians discuss when they get together?  Why, they share their lineages and try to connect dots!  Below,  Left to right, Joe Parker, Lynn Holliman, Glenn Holliman and Lynn Fusinato.

Lynn F., our host for the day, hails from Hollimans in Wake County, North Carolina.  Lynn H. traces his lineage back to James Granton Holliman, sharing the same with me.  Joe's line moved from Virginia to Kentucky and Indiana before eventually settling in the Lone Star state.  My own families left Virginia and stopped in North Carolina and South Carolina before settling in Alabama in 1836, my native state.

Lynn F. is careful, thoughtful and well organized in compiling her tree.  Lynn H., a retired investigator has made it his multi-year mission to explore the comings and goings of one David Holliman, a brother of James Grantson Holliman, who eventually settled in Georgia.  Joe is a human computer.  Just mention a Holliman name (various spellings) and out comes data!

We discussed the forthcoming Virginia meeting, and agreed we need to allot time for all to share their lineages and then break into table discussions for those interested in particular branches.  Health permitting, we four plan to be present.  COME JOIN US IN ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, VIRGINIA - MARCH 31 - APRIL 2, 2015!

THE CHRISTOPHER HOLLYMAN, SR.

 HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU

to

The Inaugural Meeting of the Society

at

SMITHFIELD

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY

VIRGINIA

MARCH 31- APRIL 2, 2016

FOR

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME TOUR TO THE CHRISTOPHER HOLLYMAN'S PLANTATION CA 1682

AND

OTHER HISTORIC HOLLYMAN SITES

AND

TWO DAYS OF SEMINARS

and Round Table Discussions

ON

THE HOLLYMANS of ENGLAND

AND

SUBSEQUENT MIGRATIONS

THROUGH OUT THE USA

PLUS

SESSIONS ON HOW TO TRACE YOUR HOLLYMAN DNA, THE MASSIVE FAMILY TREE (at www.Ancestry.com), HOLLYMAN WEB SITES, THE JAMESTOWN SOCIETY AND THE NEW HOLLIMAN ARCHIVES FOR HOLLYMANS (ALL SPELLINGS) AND ASSOCIATED FAMILIES!

 In my time with Lynn F., I discovered her grandfather and my grandfather both lived in west Alabama at the same time, early in the 20th Century.

If you trace your ancestry to Christopher Hollyman, Sr. (1618-1691) you will not want to miss this national gathering of his descendants in the ancestral home of almost all North American Hollemans, Hollimans (and various spellings). 

Our Registration Center and Gathering Place for Seminars and Dinners will be the Smithfield Inn, 112 Main Street, Smithfield, VA (757-357-1732).

As the Smithfield Inn is sold out for lodging, a special rate has been secured at the near-bye Hampton Inn.  Guests may book individual reservations under the name of Holliman Family Reunion.  One may call the hotel direct at 757-365-4760 or go to www.smithfieldsuitesva.hamptoninn.com.

·       Enter the dates ranging from March 31-April 2, 2016.

·       Click on Add Special Rate Code and enter the Group Code (HFR).

·       Click on Check Rooms and Rates.

Guests will be able to select their room type and proceed to make their own reservation using a credit card to guarantee their room.

The rates are as follows:

·       Standard King room at $109.00 plus tax.

The cut-off date is March 1, 2016 for this special rate.

The program begins with a Meet and Greet, Thursday, March 31, 5 pm - 6:30 pm, Smithfield Inn followed by order-from-the-menu dinner.  Sessions and field trips held and/or originated at the Smithfield Inn on Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, 2016.  Please call your lodging choice directly BUT let us know if you plan to attend as space is limited. Location could be moved subject to enrollment. 

The Holleman House and Smithfield are located approximately 1 hour from Jamestown (by ferry across the James River) where Christopher and his sister, Judith Hollyman landed after their long and weary sailing from England, May 1650!  Williamsburg and Yorktown are near Jamestown.

Left, Joe, one of the most informed of all Holliman  genealogists, listens as Lynn H. shares his latest findings on 18th Century Hollimans from North Carolina and Georgia.   

                               


                                                                           Agenda

              for the Christopher Hollyman, Sr. History Society

             March 31-April 2, 2016

March 31, 2016

5 pm – 6:30 pm registration, meet and greet, Smithfield Inn, Smithfield, VA

6:30 – 8:30  pm – Dinner, Welcome, Announcements, Group Photo and Review of the Agenda  (order from the menu)

Distribution of Materials: “The Hollymans from England to Virginia and Beyond”

April 1, 2016

9 am – Noon

"Getting to Know You" - Share your lineage with the group and what do you wish to learn?"

"Where to Find your Cousins - Facebook, the Yahoo Group, The Hollyman Family Tree, the Holliman Virtual Archive and the Jamestown Society”

As time permits - “England to Virginia” and "The Virginia Experience"

 Noon – Lunch on your own at one of Smithfield's many dining venues

1:30 pm – Visit to Isle of Wight Museum (across from the Smithfield Inn)

2:30 – Field Trip 1830 Holleman House at Christopher Hollyman 1682  Plantation including loop tour of Smithfield Hams and Ivy Hill Cemetery. Group photo at Holleman House! Optional extended 30 minute visit to possible site of Christopher Hollyman’s grave (Wear old clothes and shoes as old burial place in woods)

5 pm – Return to Smithfield and Dinner on your own

7:30 pm Business Meeting of Christopher Hollyman, Sr. Historical Society Executive Committee; open to all

If you will come to Virginia this spring, cousin Allen Holleman will share some of his Isle of Wight peanuts with you!  Ahem, you may have to buy your own beverage.

April 2, 2016

9 am –  Noon

Break Out Sessions  on Topics that interest You! – Whether more information on DNA, Ancestry.com, your lineage or problems in tracing your family, Hollyman genealogists will be prepared to lead discussions on ancestors and issues.  Floating round table discussions available .

11 am – Sixth and closing Session – ‘Creating Structure for the Christopher Hollyman, Sr. History Society”

Noon – Close of Hollyman Seminar – Participants encouraged to visit Jamestown on their own, site of Christopher and Judith Hollymans 1650 arrival in the New World!

And don't miss Williamsburg, founded in the 1690s, a marvelous Colonial towne preserved and celebrated.

PLEASE JOIN YOUR COUSINS IN OLD VIRGINIA NEXT SPRING!