Descendants of James and Letisha Ellis of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, held their first family reunion in Maryland, USA the weekend of 5th – 6th August, after the idea was birthed some three decades ago. James and Letisha bore 13 children, Samuel Nathaniel Ellis being one of them. His grandchildren organised the reunion.
Approximately 50 members of the Ellis family came together, not only from Guyana but from various U.S. states, and far-flung nations like Ethiopia, to celebrate this long-awaited time for the family to create something to build on for generations to come.
A family member told Village Voice News the showing exceeded expectations and everyone was glad they came. Another family member commented that it was good to sit and interact with each other without there being a wedding or funeral, and the small gathering held years ago by a deceased aunt.
There were five generations of relatives in attendance, with the oldest being 93 years and the youngest two.
Over the two days persons played childhood games, engaged in several festivities and held discussion on how each attendee is related to the Ellis patriarch and matriarch, namely, Samuel Nathaniel Ellis and Elsie Higgins Ellis who are descendants of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast.
Samuel had 11 children, namely, Maude Ellis Williams, Clarence Ellis, Berthnell Ellis Swan Beckles, Noreen Ellis, Bernice Ellis Franklin, Lloyd Ellis, Dennis Ellis, David Ellis (all deceased); and Gwendolyn Ellis Neblett, Purves Ellis and Claude Ellis. Maude, who was Samuel’s eldest child, died last year at the age of 101 and held the distinction as the one who lived the longest.
The grandchildren of Henry, a brother of Samuel and another child of James and Letisha Ellis, also attended the reunion.
The menu was entirely authentic Guyanese. One family member, who travelled from Guyana, brought the ingredients for conkies, and breadnuts which were boiled in coconut milk. There was a family cake, ginger beer, mauby, black cake, white pudding, bakes and saltfish, roti and dhal puri and curry, among others. The menu also catered for the vegetarians in their midst.
Events were held indoors and outdoors. The outdoor events, which were under the clear sky, with the moon and star shining bright, recalled memories of growing up in Guyana when such an atmosphere was used to tell folktales.
The family also sought to explore each member’s area of expertise. They felt this information, apart from getting to know more about each other, was also to establish a network of support where members could reach out to each other’s competence, if or when the need arises.
Some of the skills include dentistry, economic planning, mental health practitioner, automotive, building construction, agriculture, civil engineering, architecture, web designing, accounting, among others.
Another highlight was the younger generation was able to meet with and learn from the older generation who shared oral history and lived experiences as far back as they could remember, along with the folklores they heard when growing up. People were also happy to know how they were related to each other.
Retracing the journey, the family said the idea was first thought about in 1993 but it only came to fruition in 2023. The delay was due to various reasons, such as conflicting schedules, the wide range of the Ellis diaspora, and identifying a venue where all can congregate. The family expressed their delight to this publication that after all these years members were finally able to have the reunion.
The family is also proud of their home in Queenstown, which is 103 years old. The house, which was built by Samuel in 1920, is still standing and has undergone only minor modification and restoration over the years.
Speaking of the gathering, Samuel’s grandchildren said it was a great accomplishment that they were able to come together, taking into consideration the number of years since the idea was born. The family wants to make the reunion an annual event.
The colour purple was chosen as the family’s colour. Bedecked in purple T-Shirts, one family member, who was a principal organiser, stated the colour choice was not accidental. It was chosen because it signifies strength, unity and the history of the family.
One of Samuel’s granddaughters, who noted that most of the family attended the reunion, said if they keep up the reunion it could only grow bigger and better. She said she also learned at the event that the majority of her generation was men. Also highlighted was the fact all the married members were accompanied by their wives.
Family, the Ellises said, is the beginning, middle, end and “the tie that binds” which is the theme the members use to stay connected.
