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Forty-eight members of the Gerking Family signed the guest book at the 45th Annual Gerking, held at Sunnyside County Park near Sweet Home, Oregon. This filled up the Guest Register, which was purchased in 1959 by Lewis and Darlene Barnes for the very first Gerking Reunion. The Register thus contains forty-five years of Gerking Family history and will be sent to Historian Janelle Jackson for integration into the Family's records. We will need a new Registration Book for next year's reunion. Hostesses for this year's reunion were Lyndel Fullen and Betty Van Meter. Both were thanked for arranging such a great reunion. Before beginning the potluck meal at 1 p.m., Lyndel and young sisters Kim and Eve Ponce sang the Johnny Appleseed Grace, much to the delight of those assembled. Following lunch, it was noted that President Susan had not yet arrived, so it was agreed to have Historian Janelle give her presentation prior to the Family meeting to give Susan more time to get to the picnic site. Janelle said one of her goals as historian is to work toward everyone continuing to document his/her own family members so the family's history gaps can be filled in and new information will continue to flow in. She is especially interested in showing the younger children how interesting genealogy can be. Janelle provided everyone with a folder containing materials and resources to help them work on their own genealogy. She also showed a video, "Time Machine Family Tree," which was put together by The History Channel and Genealogy.com. Janelle's presentation was very well received and generated questions and discussion. Following Janelle's presentation the Family meeting was held, with Beth railroaded into leading the discussions. She brought greetings from Gerkings who were unable to attend the reunion due to distance or illness. She also brought greetings from Florence, MA, where her son and family from Chicago were gathered at her daughter and family's home to hold an East Coast Gerking Mini-Reunion today. It had been learned that Larry Bowe's brother died Friday, August 6, in Newport, OR. Florence emailed that she and Larry hope to be well enough to attend the funeral service, which is to be held August 9 in Newport. Beth plans to attend also. 2005 Reunion - August 14, 2005 Janelle suggested historical Ft. Vancouver as a location for next year's reunion. It has fascinating historial displays and a picnic area that would hold our reunion group. The picnic area is first come-first served and doesn't doesn't take reservations, but Janelle said she would arrive at the area early enough to make sure we get the spot. There is no fee to use the area. There also is no water, but there are restrooms. Janelle will check on the availablity of nearby camping. It was agreed the group would like to meet at Ft. Vancouver on the second Sunday of August next year. Janelle and Mike and Gloria Dreske will serve as hosts. Other Discussion Janelle reported that Florence is concerned about the amount of information on the Internet saying that Zachariah Gerking of North Carolina was the original Gerking immigrant and which definitely links that family to John Gerking, Sr. The information is based on unproved details that have been handed down and which continue to circulate despite being unproved. Dan Hebert mentioned that the newest wrinkle in genealogy is DNA testing. Janelle suggested DNA testing among members of our group, the North Carolina branch, and Karl Gerking in Germany might resolve the question of whether or not there are any connection(s). There was great interest from the group, so at the family’s request Dan agreed to look into what is involved in getting DNA testing started. Janelle also said Karl Gerking in Germany has provided a Kentucky marriage bond showing a relationship with William Lux, who was a well-known wealthy ship captain of the time. He traveled extensively between England and the United States, and there is some thought he may have employed John Gerking, Sr. Florence has often mentioned that John, Sr. had many English mannerisms, including his penmanship and if Capt. Lux had employed him, especially at a young age, those could be accounted for that way. The information from Karl provides new leads in the search for the origins of John Gerking, Sr. [Note: For those interested, here is the text of the marriage bond as provided by Karl Gerking of Bremerhaven, Germany: "Know all men these presents that we John Gerking and William Lux are held offically bound unto Beverly Randolf, Esq. Governor of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds currency to which payment to be made to the said Governor this.....?....we shall officially bind ourselves, our heirs and firmly by these presents. "Sealed with our seals and dated September 5th, 1791. "Whereas this is a marriage intended to be had solemnized between the above bound John Gerking and Rachel Rice daughter of William Rice of Jefferson County. Now the condition of this obligation is such that if there be no careful cause or just impidiment to obstruct such marriage then this Obligation to void or else to remain in full force and virtue. John Gerking (seal) William Lux (seal)" Source: Kentucky Dept. for Libararies & Archives, Frankfurt, KY, 40602 film number 827962 or 817859.] Janelle said she has several large boxes containing the original family group sheets that were filled out by hand for Will Junkin's first book, followed by the editions Florence did. Janelle is pressed for space and wondered if the sheets could be destroyed or donated to a genealogical society now that all the information on them has been written down for the book and/orcomputerized. Several in the group felt original documents should be preserved, so Janelle will investigate possible places for storage. Suggestions for societies to investigate included Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the Umatilla or Union Co. Historical Societies. Lori Roberts said if necessary to preserve the sheets she would be willing to store them. Janelle told the group that her focus now is to organize and catalogue all the Gerking Family records that have been entrusted to her care. She feels it will take about another year to complete the project, and then she intends to resign her Historian position in order to free up time for other pursuits. Dan Hebert, who at last year's reunion had suggested full compuerization of the book, volunteered to jumpstart that project and it was agreeable with everyone present that he do so. [Note: Beth later talked with him and suggested he contact Gina Gerking Spiller, who seems to have done a massive amount of the compuerization already plus has been a voracious researcher]. Lori Roberts reported that her great-grandmother, Kathleen Akins, daughter of Winnifred Gerking, now resides at Grace House in Estacada and would love to hear from Gerking family members. You can write to her c/o Grace House, 380 NW 6th Ave., #119, Estacada, OR 97023. Her phone number is (503) 630-1909. Minutes of 2002 and 2003 Meetings: Fifteen copies of the 2002 minutes, which Beth had neglected to bring to the 2003 reunion for approval had been run and were distributed as far as they would go. Beth gave a synopsis of the 2003 reunion minutes. Janelle commented she had not known about Alyce Rufi's interest in helping her by doing lookups for people. The minutes for both meetings were approved. Financial Report as of July 31, 2004: The July 31 balance in the savings account was $1,346.41. Income during the year of 8/1/03-7/31/04 was $548.27, and expenses totaled $449.00. Of the expenses, $270.00 was for copying the book and since most of the books have been sold that is now almost recouped; $100.00 was spent for historian supplies and $25.00 to purchse the book and CD of the Athena celebration for the Family's records; and $54.00 was postage expense. Beth told the group that due to the new, stricter banking requirements the credit union will no longer accept checks made out to The Gerking Family. In the future checks will need to be made out to Beth Johnston and she will deposit them in the family's savings account. Election of Officers: There was discussion of whether or Susan wants to continue as president of the reunion group. Consensus was that if she's willing to continue to serve, she should be allowed to do so; if she chooses not to continue, the issue will be revisited. Janelle, Alyce, and Beth we re-elected, also by consensus. The meeting adjourned about 3:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Beth Perry Johnston |
| Given | Surname | Town | State | Descent |
| Selena | Bamera | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Aleah | Barrera | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Karrisa | Barrera | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| John Oliver | Beck | Lebanon | OR | James Gerking |
| Alysha | Brown | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Autumn | Brown | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Corey | Clemens | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Heather | Clemens | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Jack | DeJong | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Gary | Dempsey | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Lory | Dempsey | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Ryan | Dempsey | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Steven | Dobbs | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Gloria | Dreske | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Mike | Dreske | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Bill | Fullen | Sweet Home | OR | Samuel Isaiah Gerking |
| Lyndel | Fullen | Sweet Home | OR | Samuel Isaiah Gerking |
| Daniel | Hebert | Kingston | WA | John E. L. Gerking |
| Dian | Hebert | Kingston | WA | John E. L. Gerking |
| Roseanne | Holm | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking | |
| Elva | Jackson | Portland | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Janelle | Jackson | Portland | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Beth (Perry) | Johnston | Newport | OR | Samuel Isaiah Gerking |
| Paul A. | Lewis | Eugene | OR | Samuel Isaiah Gerking |
| Robbie | Loucks | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Tamara | Lyons | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Cody | Muranaka | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Jim | Muranaka | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Kathi | Muranaka | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Max | Muranaka | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Barb | Perle | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Doug | Perle | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Maria | Ponce | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Lori | Roberts | Molalla | OR | James Gerking |
| Annie | Sletten | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Paige | Sletten | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Rachel | Sletten | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Steve | Sletten | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Steven | Sletten | Dayton | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Steven | Sletten | Newberg | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Brian | Stacy | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Chuck | Stacy | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Cally | Stahlnecker | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Daniel | Stahlnecker | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Janelle | Stahlnecker | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Kasie | Stahlnecker | N/A | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Robert | Thorp | Salem | OR | Benjamin Franklin Gerking |
| Betty | Van Meter | Keizer | OR | Samuel Isaiah Gerking |
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