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About the GFA
The Geer Family Association was originally begun by Walter Geer in 1923, but the organization lapsed. One spring morning in Milwaukee, while talking to his wife Mary Louise, Roger Friesell Geer [ID #599-1-5-1-2G] recalled that his father, Dr. Frank Densmore Geer Jr., had visited the Geer family in Ledyard Connecticut where his ancestors had been living on the same property that George Geer had lived on in the 1600s. Roger telephoned Isaac and Charlotte Geer in Ledyard and asked if they'd be interested in rejuvenating the GFA and organizing regular reunions. Isaac said, let's do it. Roger and Mary contacted family in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and New York. Charlotte made calls in Connecticut. The June 1976 Geer Family gathering that resulted was the first reunion of the Geer Family Association held in over 50 years. More than 100 Geers from Connecticult and from around the country attended. It was decided to have the next meeting in two years. At that meeting members agreed the reunions would be held every three years and at different locations around the country. The Triennial Geer Reunions continue to the present day.
                        historical tour of Ledyard.                                                     still stands in Ledyard.
The newly formed GFA arranged for Walter Geer's 1923 The Geer Genealogy to be reprinted & made available to GFA members. The book, an informative & engaging 300-year history of one of America's oldest and most influential families, provides a comprehensive account of the Geer family lineage in North America from 1635 to 1914. George and Thomas Geer's origins in England, their migration to America and their early settlements in Connecticut & Rhode Island are described. Geer participation in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, & Geer contributions to western migration, land settlement, urban development, education & government, agriculture & manufacturing are consistently noted throughout. The book is 460 pages, hardcover, imprinted, handbound, and provides information for Geer Generations 1-9. It includes 3 indexes, 32 photos, and is the basis for the current George & Thomas Geer descendants' ID # system.
In 1976 the GFA began work on a supplement to Walter Geer's 1923 The Geer Genealogy. In 1991 the completed 950-page supplement went on sale. It provides new information & corrections to the 1923 edition for Generations 2-9, & new appendices & indexes for George & Thomas Geer descendants.
After publishing the 1st Supplement in 1991, a team of GFA members worked for another decade on a 2nd Supplement. The 2,017-page 2nd supplement, which became available for purchase in 2002, uses the same format as the 1991 Supplement & provides new material through the 14th generation, including new & updated entries within Generations 2-9 where additional information has been uncovered. Where major changes were required, some entries have been completely revised. Everything past the 9th Generation in the 2nd Supplement is entirely new.
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