A Mini Family Reunion

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have a family reunion with all of your ancestors? I would love to have one with all of the descendants of John D Rees. John D Rees has affected so many lives, I would love to meet him one day and ask about his experiences. He changed so much in his life that has been passed down to generations. I love hearing his story.

John Davis Rees was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales on March 4, 1815. He was the third child of Meredith and Mary Davis Rees. When the first missionaries were called to spread the gospel in Europe, John and his first wife Mary Morgan were the first in their family to join the church. John and Mary were married on July 4, 1842 and had a few children before they discovered the church. It is not known how they were first introduced to the gospel, but they were baptized around the year 1846. In 1849, they traveled with the first group of emigrants from Wales to America.

They eventually made it to Utah and were able to be sealed together in 1852. John was advised to take a second wife. He married Mary's sister Jane the next month.

The story does not end there though. John was asked a few more times to take wives and had 4 wives overall. It is a long, interesting story that has been somewhat pieced together through research.  My line comes through his fourth wife Cecelia Howe.

When I do family history work and find new stories about my ancestors, I feel like I am having a mini reunion with that ancestor. I am able to learn about them and what they experienced in their lives. I am able to see their traits in my own family members.We all may not be sitting together face to face sharing stories, but I am able to feel closer to my ancestors the more I find. I hope to one day be able to all come together for a huge family reunion, but for now I will continue enjoying my mini reunions.