The Hatchett side of my family has been having family reunions since 1973. This is the side of my family that I know the most about and have researched the furthest. It is because of these reunions that I have been able to trace our family history back to slavery in Arkansas, Alabama, and Virginia.
This year’s reunion was held in Little Rock, Arkansas the weekend of the 4th of July. We had four days of planned family fun, history, and fellowship. It was so nice seeing family that I haven’t seen in years, connecting with family that I only communicate with on social media, and meeting family for the first time.
I had the honor of speaking at our family banquet on Saturday night about our family history. I also spoke about how I was able to use the information I had gotten from my Aunt Ninnie and Cousin Sonny Boy, Oliver Dillingham, to piece together six generations of Hatchett’s that are descendants of our beloved Robert Hatchett born around 1796.
When I say I had the best time, I really did that the best time. I have been to reunions before and always enjoy myself. But there was something different about this one that I can’t put my finger on. We had over 200 family members registered. Everyone was so inviting and wanted to get to know each other. I think this reunion had the most first time attendees also.
Family reunions always spark my research efforts. I have a plan for the next four months to find more information about our Hatchett family history. I want to research Robert Hatchett’s mother, Sally. I want to find out more about her life in Fauquier County, Virginia, how she came to Virginia and her enslavement to the Pickett family, and if she had any other children or family. Hopefully I will have some new family discoveries to share with the family in 2026 at our next Hatchett Family Reunion.
Photos courtesy of Hubert Finkley
Journey Through the Generations 
What a great turnout! Is there anyone else that is also researching your family?
My husband and I went to his mother’s side family reunion in early July in Oklahoma. it’s been 20 years since we’ve been there!
Although it’s not my family, I’ve done quite a bit of research and input from family that has already done all of the heavy lifting but it doesn’t make it any less exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a wonderful weekend indeed. I was able to talk with two of my relatives that have been researching our family history also, one older and one younger than me. So that was a great time us discussing our research techniques and such. It was my first-time meeting both of them too. I always say there’s at least one researcher in every generation and there were three of us that weekend in different generations. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing! I will never be that fortunate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One thing I have learned during this journey is you never know what will happen. I would have never thought in a million years something like that would happen if you had asked me just five years ago. As far as this journey goes, I’m just along for the ride. I let it take me wherever it sees fit.
LikeLike