Bringing Together Haston Kinfolk from All Over the USA
In July 2022 the first-ever Daniel Haston All-USA Family Reunion was held in the “Haston Homeland” (Southern White County, TN). Approximately 150 attended from 17 states! The most common response we heard from 2022 participants was – “When are you going to do this again?” And many who did not attend in 2022 (for various reasons) have added to that, “We won’t miss it this time!” Well, we’ve heard those voices. But this year we are planning to make it bigger and better, and two days instead of trying to cram it all into one day.
Registration Now Open
The Reunion Schedule
Friday Activities - July 26, 2024
Meet at Hickory Valley Baptist Church and ride an air-conditioned bus to (or by) 12 historic sites connected to our Haston family history. Will stop on this guided tour at FIVE (see green bullet points) of the 12 sites for feet-on-the-ground views of where our ancestors lived, died, and were buried. Will drive by the other (red points) sites that you will have opportunities to visit later.
Sites we will stop and visit:
- Old Union Church and Cemetery
- Big Fork Cemetery and Church Site
- Daniel Haston Home Place
- (Isaac T. Haston) Haston Cemetery
- M.G. Haston Century Farm (1858-Today)
- Van Buren County Historical Museum
No lunch will be served at the church. Will be given a map to and of Sparta with locations of restaurants. About eight miles from the church to Sparta.
Arrangements will be made for the White County Heritage Museum (114 South Main Street) and the White County, TN Archives (3rd floor of Courthouse) to be ready to receive you as visitors.
This is the self-direction part of the Haston Historic Sites Tour. This morning we visited FIVE of the 12 historic sites and drove by all 12 of them. This afternoon, we encourage you to go back to and visit any of these sites of particular interest to you.
At the Hickory Valley Baptist Church (fellowship hall) - 5865 Hickory Valley Road; Sparta, TN 38583.
- Desserts, soft drinks, coffee, etc - bring a dessert or finger food.
- Fun get-acquainted activities
- Informal mix and mingle time
- Some interest centers available
Very important part of the reunion - please don't miss it.
Saturday Activities - July 27, 2024
Pick up your name tag, receive your reunion packet, enjoy breakfast snacks, meet some of your previously unknown relatives, visit some of the interest centers.
Retired Major General Max Haston, former Adjutant General of the State of Tennessee, will lead this opening ceremony.
Wayne Haston will present the story of Daniel Haston, his ancestry, and what is known of his life. Participants will be involved in this activity in a fun way.
Jean Ann Haston Hall will explain why we created the Daniel Haston Family Association, a 501 (c)(7), organization and how you can help us preserve our Haston family history and heritage.
Harris Haston will tell you about the Big Fork Historic Cemetery, Inc., a 501 (c)(3)organization, why the cemetery is truly historic, what we have accomplished since the 2022 Haston Family Reunion, and our plans and needs for future development.
There will several interest centers such as...
- Historic Haston heirlooms
- Old family photos
- Legacy of Honor which honors Hastons and relatives who served our country in the military
- Daniel Haston Family Association - information about the association and how you can participate
- Big Fork Historic Cemetery, Inc. - information about plans for preserving the cemetery and how you can participate
- Book table - where you can purchase Wayne's books and a copy of the Hiestand coat of arms
- Information about local museums, archives, etc.
- Photo "studio" where you can have a professional quality photo taken with your family and friends
The 2023 Hiestand-Haston tour group at the world famous Hiestand Bakery and Bistro in Zürich.
"Back by Popular Demand." Very similar to our 2022 meal, but some extra options for people with various food issues.
We urge you to use this meal time to get to know folks that you haven't known before, rather than to just spend it with the family members and friends that you see often.
A general overview of all of Daniel Haston’s sons and daughters—who they were, what they did, where they lived, with some interesting anecdotes about each of them and their families.
Note: Each participant will receive a blank family tree sheet for participants to take notes.
Prior to this time, submit your question cards about the history of our Haston family. Wayne will pick 30 minutes’ worth of question-answers, especially those of most interest to the entire group. As time permits, he will take other questions as well.
Choose one from these three workshops:
- Basic Family Genealogical Research – How to Start and Tips for Finding Information about Your Family
- DNA Family Research – Presentation about DNA research--how it works and why it is helpful--by a Family DNA Research Expert (Darvin Martin, by Zoom)
- Your Children and Grandchildren – How Can You Get Them Interested in Your Family’s History?
Table groups will compete against each other, with a game show buzzer system to determine who responds first to each question.
Questions covering what has been presented today, including a few BONUS questions from some significant content from the Daniel Haston Family book.
A special prize will be given to each member of the winning table team.
If this year is like the 2022 reunion, we'll have lots of leftovers at the end of the day, food from the lunch meal as well as breakfast goodies. Hang around - mix and mingle some more - reflect on all of the experiences of the day.
Registration Now Open
If you appreciated this article, please share it with others who might also enjoy it.
