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EST. 1844 · REUNION SINCE 1950
THE SHURN FAMILY
Reunion & Heritage
Rooted in love. Bound by blood. Growing across generations.
1844 — 2021 & Beyond
□ Our Roots
A Heritage Traced to the 1840s
The Shurn family reunion carries a rich and enduring heritage. Descendants of the Shurn family have been traced as far back as the 1840s, to Drew Shurn and Emmaline Taylor — the patriarch and matriarch whose legacy continues to echo through every generation.
The Shurn Family Reunion formally began in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1950, launching on Labor Day weekend — a tradition that has remained unchanged to the present day.
□□□□ The First Gathering
1950 — Small Beginnings, Great Legacy
The first gathering was intimate — a small circle of relatives and their families convening with warmth and purpose. Those who attended the inaugural reunion:
□ B.B. Shurn
□ Ellis Shurn
□ Robert Shurn
□ Fred Douglas Shurn
□ Vinnie Shurn Crenshaw
□ Annie Shurn Greer
□ Lula Shurn Bogan
□ Louise Shurn
□ Sammie Shurn
During the first five years, the celebration alternated between South Bend, Indiana and Benton Harbor, Michigan. As membership grew, so did ambition — around the sixth year, the reunion took the show on the road, rotating among several cities as it proudly continues to do today.
□ Reunion Rotation Cities
Spreading the Family Spirit
The current reunion rotation spans the breadth of the country, bringing Shurn family members together across ten storied cities:
□ South Bend, Indiana
□ Benton Harbor, Michigan
□ Chicago, Illinois
□ St. Louis, Missouri
□ Colt, Arkansas
□ Detroit, Michigan
□ Springfield, Massachusetts
□ Nashville, Tennessee
□ Washington, D.C.
□ Atlanta, Georgia
□️ Official Incorporation
1992 — A Family, Formally United
In September 1992, the Shurn Family Reunion drafted and adopted a constitution and was legally incorporated as The Shurn Family. Thirteen officers were elected to serve on the National Board of Directors. The inaugural meeting was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
◆ Officers on Date of Incorporation
Chairman — Joseph Shurn
1st Vice Chairman — Ralph Shurn
Treasurer — Gloria Shurn
Secretary — Eunice Brown
Recording Secretary / Membership Chair — Noricka Greyer
Sergeant-at-Arms / Parliamentarian — Winston Walker
◆ Remaining Board Members
Ernestine Greyer · Lula Mason · Arthur Shurn · Archie Shurn · Hattie Shurn
The Board's mission is to oversee the interests of each participating city and to develop a strong organizational structure for governance — ensuring the Shurn family legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
□️ Milestones
Marking History
◆ 1992 — Legal Incorporation
The Shurn Family is legally incorporated with a National Board of Directors of thirteen officers. The first meeting is held in Nashville, Tennessee.
◆ 1993 — Reunion Magazine Feature
Featured in the spring issue of Reunion Magazine, highlighting the family's commitment to youth participation, education, conflict resolution, peace, love, and unity.
◆ 1999 — The Shurn Website Launches
www.shurn.com debuts — made possible through the efforts of Barron Shurn, Arthur Shurn, and Fred D. Shurn. Fred D. Shurn financed the project; Barron Shurn served as senior technician; Arthur Shurn served as project manager. Committee members included Noricka Greyer, Eric Crenshaw, Rick Shurn, and Gwen Humphries.
◆ 2021 — Legacy Continues
After more than 70 years of reunions, the Shurn Family tradition is alive and well — growing, glowing, and stepping boldly into the new millennium.
“
The sky is not our limit — it is our beginning. With love and family as the two main elements that keep us tightly knit and woven together, we look forward to a bright and prosperous future.
— The Shurn Family
✦ The Shurn Family Reunion · Est. 1950 · Inc. 1992 ✦
Official Website: www.shurn.com
SHURN FAMILY · 1844 – PRESENT · ALL GENERATIONS WELCOMED
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