President's Message

As I continue to uncover more of my own family history, it becomes even more evident to me how important our association is.  I continue to discover more and more of what we’ve been and what we’ve become as a result.  Another truth that has become evident during my work on collateral branches is that the ability to share our heritage is truly a blessing.  Not all family lines you’ll explore have this luxury.  Being able to share our “collective” heritage is so very precious and I feel we all should appreciate and take advantage of the opportunity to share this heritage at our annual family reunions.  I want to encourage all of membership to attend our upcoming reunion.  I know you will be glad you came and return home with relationships with extended family that will thrive and be cherished for years to come.    

I ask your continued support of our new membership co-chairs in the efforts to grow our family membership.  This requires each of us to support them.  Don’t be afraid to ask a family member to join, remember there is a 50% chance you will get a yes!!  Each of us is vital to the continued growth and vitality of the association. 

The Cemetery Committee led by the very capable Barron Tenney has been busy as bees.  This project has continued progressing and we have made some incredible inroads.  The major roadblock that the association currently has is the need for funding to accomplish our intended goal.  There have been many hurdles and we seem to be making good progress.  As of this printing we have approximately $600 toward our total project.  The cleanup of the Old Bradford Burial Ground (OBBG) is must be accomplished and this is no small task monetarily.  I challenge our membership to help us with ideas for how we can creatively raise funds through grants, gifts or other avenues that may help us accomplish this.  Brain power in this family is exceptional, and I ask you each put on your thinking caps so we can see this through to fruition.

I contacted one of my cousins, a lawyer by trade and he is working with me to get some clarification on what would be required to make us a 501 (c) 3 Association.  I feel this is critical to help us in not only this project, but in our continued growth for the future.  Now is the time that all good Tenney’s should come to the aid of their association!  All ideas are welcome and will be passed along to the officer’s group and committees.      

The books have landed and what incredible news this is.  These are being mailed out to everyone and will be arriving on your doorsteps just as quickly as they can be distributed.  There are a lot of books to be mailed, but I have every confidence of your enjoyment of the books.  Debbie Montgomery and Hal Tenney have worked tirelessly to achieve this and we all owe them a debt of gratitude for their exceptional work.  I personally want to tip my hat to each of them.    

Our annual reunion will be here before we know it. 

See you in Chattanooga at the Choo Choo!