Morrison-Q Gathering 2014

Our 2014 Morrison-Q Gathering was a tremendous success. It was a time of renewing acquaintances as well as meeting new ones. There were plenty of times of fellowship around a meal or in the spacious living area of the house. It was fun spending some time each day exploring the many attractions of the Island. I was especially excited to find kindred spirits who also have a desire to roll up their sleeves and dig in with both hands to see the cause of Morrison-Q advance.

For next year’s Gathering – we decided to move the event to July, to allow students the opportunity to attend. We desire to see some of our younger family members to become more involved. The town of Gatlinburg, TN was chosen as the 2015 location. It is within 6 hours of a large majority of our membership – has many options for lodging – and a plethora of attractions to interest both young and old. The date we chose is July 16-19, 2015. We hope you will put the date in your calendar and plan to join us next year. Details will be forthcoming at a later date.

(Coit Morrison – Q1 – J2bb)

Communal meals and great fellowship along with many genealogical discussions and excursions up and down the Outer Banks is my summary of the recent Morrison Q Group’s annual gathering. But what I got the most out of it was the feeling of being much closer to my distant cousins! I loved living in the same house for a week, enjoying the sunrises and sunsets coming through the windows. All will agree that we were blessed with weather that could not have been better so that we could enjoy the beaches, fields, monuments, graveyards, sand dunes, quaint villages, old settlements, and what I might have enjoyed the best, the ferry rides! And the meetings about the various DNA tests were quite informative and inspiring. I look forward to next year and the possible quarterly gatherings too.

(Dave Morrison – Q3 – T1aa)

It was exciting to be part of the 2014 Morrison Gathering, and the Outer Banks was the perfect setting for the event. Just as the world is still trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, our group is trying to unravel the DNA puzzle of the Morrison-Qs who immigrated to North Carolina during the eighteenth century. John Morrison shared the significant history of the Morrison immigration to America. Coit Morrison’s collection of charts, diagrams and tables helped us all to follow his Morrison-Q DNA presentations. I briefed the group on the International Genetic Genealogy Conference held in August 2014. There was plenty of time during the week to study family genealogy, fellowship with one another as well as enjoy many of the local sights. By the time we left, it was difficult to say goodbye because we truly felt as if everyone was family. There was a true spirit of a willingness to share and help each other to learn in new areas. I am very thankful to everyone for that! I think we accomplished a great deal and set some new goals. I look forward to taking a more active role in the Morrison-Q group, especially with my husband retiring the end of this year. I am already looking forward to the next gathering in July 2015 in Gatlinburg, TN.

(Rene Bryson & Husband Terry – Q38 – T1aa)

What a blessing it was to reconnect with cousins I met in Statesville and meet another cousin, John Morrison and his wife, Sue. I am looking forward to having more time to devote to our Morrison-Q group in the near future. I enjoyed learning more about puzzle solving with genetics that Rene shared with us, updates on the Morrison-Q group from Coit and learning how to play the original dominos from John!

(Jolette Morrison – Q75 – J2ca)

Our fourth gathering of Morrison-Q members was the largest to date, with a total attendance of ten. Seven were members, and three were family members. Beginning with five people (four members and one family member) in 2010, we have gradually, but steadily, increased our membership participation. That is a real accomplishment, and we should work to see participation in our meeting increase to 14 or 15 next year.

Highlights for me were both related to genetic genealogy events in recent weeks. The first had to do with Big Y SNP assessments, as discussed by Coit Morrison. We are beginning to see Morrison-Q sub-groupings within the DF-41 SNP which suggest that some members may relate to ancestors older than the three brothers who settled in Iredell County. Important here is the decision made by David Morrison to participate in Big Y since our meeting at the O.B. ended.

Renee Bryson led an interesting discussion of the three types of DNA that can be examined for ancestral relationships: y-DNA (paternal), mitochondrial DNA (maternal) and autosomal DNA (all lines for four generations prior to person who submits DNA). Of these, we all know the most about y-DNA, that being the one pursued by all tested members. Some of us have had our mitochondrial DNA tested but little has been learned from this, probably because of the difficulty of following maternal lines. Some have also had their autosomal DNA tested. Rene learned of a number of ways in which autosomal relationships can be defined by using analytical methods discussed at the meeting she attended. We may be able to distinguish separate lines within Morrison-Q by examining our autosomal DNA, provided that the lines separated during the most recent four generations. I was intrigued with the possibilities of autosomal analysis, and am interested in learning if any testing laboratories examine autosomal DNA in more remote generations. If so, the Burke Morrisons may be able to determine whether 1790 James Morrison was a son of William Morrison Senior of Burke County. David Morrison is also going to have his autosomal DNA tested, a decision made since we met.

Probably the most lasting result of each Morrison-Q conclave is the personal acquaintances made there. As has been the case at each conclave, we had plenty of time to become acquainted, do things together, and form new friendships which will grow over time. At this gathering, I arrived with two friends that date back seven years, but had not met the other attendees in person. Rene I had spoken with over the telephone, but Milton and Jolette were strangers to me. I feel I have made new friends of Terry and Rene; Milton, Catherine and David; and Jolette. I also believe my friendship of Coit and Dave is stronger than ever.

We had a good time visiting sites on the Outer Banks together. My personal high points were the museum and airfield at Kitty Hawk and the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. As a trained engineer, and one who worked five years for an aircraft company many years ago, both places were intriguing. The process whereby a 201 foot high lighthouse weighing thousands of tons was moved almost a quarter of a mile while still standing upright was an outstanding engineering feat.

(John Morrison & Wife Sue – Q7 – T1cg)

We enjoyed visiting with all the other Morrisons at the Outer Banks Gathering. The sight seeing, socialization and meals were all great! We especially appreciate the presentations of information about Morrison genealogy and DNA.

(Milton Morrison & Wife Catherine – Q80 – W3bc)