Violette Family Association

The Association officers at the meeting: Rod Violette (Sec), Paul Violette (Treas), Paul Bunnell (Pres), Christine Lippincott (VPres)

Our triennial meeting started at 1:00 pm today. Here are some highlights, but look for more details to be posted here once the reports are done. [Read more →]

Martin Violette, of the Virginia Violettes

Martin Violette, of Virginia, has started a web site and a project to identify Violettes that came to Virginia and spread from there. This family came from England in the 1600s, though he has traced the roots much further back in English history. He has found references to the 1200s, when some weavers named Violette were brought to England from the European continent. This was probably the start of that branch from England though obviously the family had to have started before that.

Martin suspects that probably the Violettes from England and those from France are probably from the same basic stock and may have common ancestors. He also mentioned that he found evidence of a Violette coat of arms awarded to a Graves Violette.

Just starting out identifying Violettes from the English lines, Martin was amazed at the number of Violettes that are members of the Violette Family Association and that attend the Reunions. The size of our group gives him hope that maybe the Violettes of Virginia can become a viable organization as well.

Nancy Nolette spoke about DNA projects

Nancy Nolette has been studying about DNA for several years now, and has become totally immersed in the topic. She has had several different tests done to trace her background, and continues to expand her contacts with others interested in DNA projects. She encouraged us all to have at least some basic personal DNA testing done.

Nancy shared with us some of the reports she has received from her testing so that we could get a better idea of what to expect.

Nancy showed us some interesting maps that show how DNA testing has resulted in identifying five distinct human groups that formed and that spread to different parts of the world. She described how the distinctive DNA traits and markers can be used to identify where an individual’s family came from, though individual family identification cannot be done without more specific ancestor research.

Folks at dinner

All enjoyed a meal together Friday evening.

Folks at dinner

Folks at dinner

Folks at dinner

Folks at dinner

Folks at dinner

 
  Nancy (Anne’s sister), Elaine Violette, Anne Roy, Alice and Dick Violette  

Happy Hour continued the meeting and greeting with some social lubricant added. It was great fun, as people shared stories and news.

 
  Joe and Marie Levasseur  

 
  Carolyn and Maurice Corbin, Bob and Christine Lippincott  

 
  Violettes registering for the Reunion.  

Friday afternoon was busy with arriving Violettes pickng up their registration packets for the Reunion.

 
  A great part of the afternoon was the visiting with others  

Friday afternoon saw many people gathering and greeting family and friends. Many had not been seen since the last Reunion.

 
  Banner listing past Reunions.  

Part of the fun this afternoon was visiting the tables and displays set up for the Reunion. One wall hanging showed a list of past Reunions and where and when they were held, another showed a tree and hanging on it were violets with the name of the states where members live. All of the raffle items were on display so people could decide which to bid on, and there were several tables with items to sell. Rod Violette had a table where people could ask questions about genealogy and Dave Violette had a table where people could ask about the Violette Family Association web site.

 
  Dick Violette, among others, had many items for sale  

John and Louiselle Violette brought tee shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other items in the violet color and with the Association logo for people to buy. Dick Violette had stocked up with many items from Van Buren and the northern area where the family started and had a table offering these for sale.

 
  Folks were busy this morning getting the registration and other tables set up and ready to receive Violettes by noon.  

Rod Violette (Secretary, standing at right) discusses the setup with Paul Bunnell (President, standing at left) as Tim Bunnell looks on. Paul Violette (Treasurer, seated) and Louiselle Violette discuss financial matters.

 
  The Welcome Tree is part of Reunions, and shows the states where members live.  

Paul Violette, Louiselle Violette, and Hannah Bunnell place the flowers on the tree that represent the states Violette Family Association live. We are spread around North America, with over 1,600 members listed.

 
  Lucille Violette, John Violette, and Louiselle Violette enjoying breakfast.  

Breakfast on Friday was continental type, served by the hotel.

 
  L to R: Elaine Violette, Alice and Dick Violette, Rod and Helene Violette, and Paul Violette enjoy visiting while having breakfast.  

Friday morning breakfast was a good time to meet and visit with old friends - most not seen since the last Reunion three years ago.

  L to R: Christine Lippincott, Alderic Violette, Alice Violette, Dave Violette, Elaine Violette, Rod Violette , Helene Violette. Bob Lippincott took the photo

Some of the early birds starting gathering on Thursday, and these got together to share dinner and to visit. The Reunion 2008 starts tomorrow with Registration in the afternoon, and most people will be coming in then.

Friday (Aug 8th)

 1:00 -4:00: Registration and Meet & Greet

5:00-6:00: Happy Hour

6:30-7:30 Dinner

7:30-8:00 Virginia Violette’s by Martin Violette

8:00-8:30: DNA and Genealogy by Nancy Nolette

Saturday (Aug 9th)

 9:00-12:00 Display tables and Acadian History Videos

1:00-2:00 General Meeting and Election of Officers

5:00-6:00: Happy Hour

5:30-6:00 Group & Personal Photos by our photo people

6:00-8:00 Dinner & Anne Roy Acadian Village Talk & Raffle

7:30-8:00 Intro & of Board Members & Intro of New Board & Special Presentation

8:00-12:00 Dancing

Sunday (Aug 10th)

 8:00 Farewell Breakfast (on your own)(not organized)

 
  Dick and Alice Violette cut the cake celebrating their 70th Anniversary  

Remember back at the 2005 Reunion, when Alderic (#100) and Alice (#101) Violette were honored as the longest-married couple at the Reunion? Well they are back at it, having just celebrated their 70th Anniversary on June 10th. And, Alderic (Dick) was the oldest member attending? Well Dick is 92 now, and Alice 91. [Read more →]