Morrison-Q Genealogical Association Inc

This year’s annual gathering was held at the Mountain Lake Ranch in Dandridge, TN for the second time. It was nice to take a step back from our busy schedules and spend time with our Morrison-Q cousins. It was very exciting to see a few new faces among the familiar ones. Stephanie Hayden traveled from Kansas, and Sandra Morrison Dowell traveled from Kentucky. Barbara Ross volunteered to welcome the newcomers.

A common theme was evident in the presentations as we were drawn together with the invisible thread of our ancestry. Tom Akers suggested we follow the nudge of the “invisible hand” when we are doing our research. John Morrison encouraged us to transcribe our research and thoughts to preserve our heritage for current and future family members. Both shared the books they are working on. Jim Morrison discussed the many occupations that have been held by Morrison-Q relatives, and he also displayed pictures of Morrison-Q family members who have served in various branches of the military services. Catherine Morrison and Rene Bryson presented ways to preserve your family collections. Coit thanked Morrison-Q for all they have accomplished and discussed future goals for the group. Milton and Catherine Morrison invited Greg and Stacy Johnson from Morristown, TN to attended Rene’s presentation on DNA Painter.

Food was abundant, and conversation abounded. We enjoyed the taco salad made by Catherine Morrison and the breakfast casserole made by Jolette Morrison. Dot Barnum shared a delicious cake she baked, and Barbara Ross made candy haystacks for all to enjoy. Terry Bryson took pictures to capture our time of fun and fellowship! Bonds were strengthened, reminding us how important family really is.

We missed all the members who could not attend this year. However, it is not too early to start making plans for the 2019 Morrison Gathering. You don’t want to miss it!

Next years 2019 Gathering will be in the same location on August 8-11 (Thu – Sun)

Front: Terry Bryson, Rene Bryson, Milton Morrison, Catherine Morrison, Stephanie Hayden, Dot Barnum, John Morrison, Jolette Morrison, Tom Akers, Barbara Ross      Back: Coit Morrison, Jim Morrison, Sandy Dowell

Words from a first time attender

I attended the July gathering of Morrison Q in Dandridge, TN for the first time this year. What a wonderful gathering it was! I went anticipating meeting some distant cousins, and learning a little more about my early Morrison family. But, I went home with a dozen friends! The presentations were all very good! The topics were relevant and interesting, which made the time seem to fly by. We shared good meals and warm conversation between presentations. I left wishing it could go on longer and looking forward to next years gathering! (Sandy Dowel – Q0087)

My sister Susan Morrison Borthwick (Q0109) and I, Constance Morrison Christopher (Q0098) went on a visit to see her son, Grant Borthwick (Q0108) April 18, 2017. We drove about 4000 miles through Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington. We knew we were not in Kansas anymore!

On our way to Redmond, WA to see Grant we went to Portland, OR and say Billie and Sandy Morrison, our ’s first cousin once removed and their daughter, Cydni Morrison Klauss and her son, Mason.

On Saturday, April 22nd we set up to have a lunch and supper with some Morrison cousins. At noon, we meet with Patricia Aileen March Sevier and her husband David A. Sevier of Spokane, WA. This is our 3 rd cousin and her husband. We had a Morrison family reunion in Salina, KS July 2003, and they came out for it. It was fun to see them again.

For supper, we meet with Richard Heinbauigh, (Q0126) our 2nd cousin once removed. That was great also fun. Our Dad had an Aunt Pearl Morrison Heinbaugh, of whom we did not know much. We traveled to Pennsylvania in June 2004 and found her grave and much more information. Rick contacted Morrison-Q and that is how we got together.

Lastly, we got to meet, Margrethe Lakner Morrison, the wife of our 1st cousin once removed in Belleville, WA. She is 92 years old and had never been to Kansas. Her husband Cecil H. Morrison died on January 19, 2017, the same day as our Mother died.

What a great time we had enjoying Grant’s hospitality and Washington’s rainy weather, and beautiful scenery and meeting our wonderful relatives.

Connie Morrison Christopher (Q0109)

Picture # 1 Billie and Sandy Morrison
Picture #2 Patricia and David Sevier
Picture #3 Rick Heinbaugh
Picture #4 Margrethe Morrison

Direct descendants of immigrant James Morrison gathered for the quarterly Carolina Region luncheon at the Boxcar Grille in Statesville, NC, on April 1, 2017.  Coit Morrison represented the line of James.  The line of Andrew was represented by James “Jim” W. Morrison, who was visiting from Illinois.  Representing the line of Thomas were Rene Bryson and her husband Terry, Barbara Ross, James Dean Morrison, and John Morrison and his wife Sue from Missouri.  Also in attendance was Catherine Morrison, the wife of Milton Morrison who is from the line of William.

Coit welcomed and introduced the newest members of Morrison-Q, Barbara Ross (first cousin of Rene Bryson) and James Dean Morrison.  Coit mentioned the new meeting location for the Morrison-Q Gathering at Mountain Lake Ranch in Danridge, TN, July 13-16, 2017.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about your heritage and enjoy the fellowship of your Morrison relatives.  Details of the annual gathering are posted on the website under the page titled Events.

Jim Morrison spoke about a project he has been working on for two years to document that Morrisons have been in America since 1730.  He noted that Morrsions played an important role in the building of our country.  Jim went on to tell how he is tracking the different occupations of the Morrisons and shared some job-related statistics with the group.

John Morrison told everyone how much he and Sue have enjoyed their stay in North Carolina and have appreciated their visits with Morrison family members in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Catherine Morrison presented a Show & Tell of a family project she has been working on.

The next Carolina Region Quarterly Lunch will be in October 2017.

RENE WILLIAMS BRYSON

Morrison Gathering in Statesville, NC, April 1, 2017

First Row (Left to Right):  Rene W. Bryson (Marion, NC), James Dean Morrison (Charlotte, NC), Catherine J. Morrison (Hamptonville, NC), Sue D. Morrison (Blue Springs, MO), Coit Morrison (Rock Hill, SC), and Barbara W. Ross (Crossnore, NC).  Back Row (Left to Right):  John Morrison (Blue Springs, MO) and James “Jim” W. Morrison (Cerro Gordo, IL).