Hi everyone –
The special Eenigenburg Family Reunion commemorating 175 years of the Eenigenburg Family in America was a huge success. It was held June 22, 2024 from 12:00 – 6:00 at Paarlberg Centennial Farm at 13274 Paxton Avenue in South Holland, IL. The site was chosen because of our ancestors’ connection to an earlier Dutch settlement at that location in 1847.
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| The Historic Paarlberg House and Farm | The Pavillion at the Farm |
Everyone seemed to enjoy mingling with others and meeting distant cousins they may not have known. Tours were conducted through the historic Paarlberg house, a group photo was taken of all attendees as well as individually by family branch, games were organized for the children, and a group dinner was held near the end of the afternoon. While it was a hot, humid day, we were kept comfortable by the pavilion at the park and the abundance of shady trees.
In total, there were 210 people who signed in as attendees. Most were direct descendants of Gerrit & Jannetje (Ton) Eenigenburg (from the Harry, George and John branches), a few were from the Ton side of the family, and a few Paarlberg descendants attended. Even someone who descended from an Eenigenburg family line in the Netherlands that predated Gerrit & Jannetje Eenigenburg.
The official 2024 Eenigenburg Reunion photograph (Photo credit: Dave Postma)
Attendees who may not have known their branch were aided in tracing it by color-coded genealogy boards on display. Plus, a 101 year tradition was honored. In 1923, Harry Eenigenburg, Sr. (Gerrit & Jannetje’s son) first began supplying Cracker Jack to the children at an early Ton family picnic. This annual tradition has been carried forward in the Harry branch to this day.
Invited speakers included Bill Paarlberg, a direct descendant of the widow Paarlberg who settled on this site in 1847. Also, Professor Larry McClellan, President of the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project. His work resulted in having Jan Ton’s homestead placed on the National Park Registry of Underground Railroad Sites. Jan Ton and Jannetje (Ton) Eenigenburg were siblings – and both were among the first settlers of Roseland in 1849.
The reunion was covered in the Chicago Sun Times, the South Holland Shopper and the Lansing Journal.
Thanks to the many attendees for joining us and making this such a memorable event.
The Eenigenburg Reunion Committee
Jill Eenigenburg, Cindy Mason, Bob Eenigenburg, Susanna Zirkle and Kim Douthitt