The Growing Popularity of Family Reunions

Why Genealogy is Popular

Updated January 25, 2026 – People are interested in where they came from, and family histories is central to the human condition. In an increasingly unstable world, people seek a sense of personal identity and a sense of belonging. We saw a dramatic increase in interest during the Covid-19 pandemic. Studying geneology amd ancestry in our world with millions of strangers is comforting. People love finding family and discovering filial connections.

The Search

As more and more historical records are made available online, searching for one’s family history becomes easier. The three major online players in this pursuit are Ancestry, MyHeritage, and 23 and Me. These sites grow because they have users are actively adding content . This growing archive of family information entices more people join. The largest, Ancestry.com is said by Wikipedia to have 30-billion historical records as of 2020. These family history sites have very different business models. You may have a free trial period and then pay monthly fees depending on the services used. You may have a site offer a “freemium” structure, with free access for a basic package and then pay for more robust features.

Desire to Meet – Reunions

The availability of these online sites, historical records and search tools make the research easier, and more people are learning about their family history. This growing interest is connecting people online as they build discover their family tree. This expanding circle of family results in a desire to meet. A family reunion is an opportunity to meet some of these newly discovered family members, exchange information, stories, historical records and photos.

Basic Reunion Tips

Picking a Date & Location – A reunion can take a lot of planning and the further in advance you start your planning the better off you will be. The larger the event the more time you will need to plan. It will also require a larger volunteer team you will need. Some suggest a year to plan and prepare, but a small reunion can be pulled together more quickly. This requires a a strong plan and strong team. Choose two or three possible dates and or locations and survey your family to see which of the options is the most popular. If you have specific venues, checking on their availability might determine your options. When checking with family on possible dates it is also a good idea to ask them what they would like to see in terms of activities and ask for volunteers.

Assembling your team – No one person can plan and execute a reunion on their own. You will need a team. Start with a chair or team lead. As you assemble your team, assign tasks based on team member ability and interest. General tasks are finances, lodging, food, activities/entertainment and communication.

Summary

If you have been thinking about your family reunion, contact us for pricing and availability. And be sure to check out our Reunion Planning Guide for more tips and links to suppliers in our area to get you started.