GOALS:

1. Identify Michael Kershner's ancestors in Germany, France and other parts of Europe. Update descendants information.

2. Identify and update ancestors and descendants of Matti & Sofia Ekola.

3. Identify and update ancestors and descendants of Hermann & Katrina Wiitala.

BACKGROUND:

1. Michael Kershner born about 1775 in Alsace Lorraine, was a bodyguard for Napoleon Bonaparte. His wife Mary (last name unknown) is reported to have been born in France. In recognition and in honor of Napoleon, Michael named a child after him. Several other descendents names included Bonaparte as part of their name. Michael brought his family to the New World about 1817, settled and grew in the Flagstaff Plantation and Kingfield areas of Maine.

2. The Ekolas are from Northern Finland, Matias traveled to America when he was just 17 years old and never saw his mother or father again. His sister Senja married her husband, who was from MN,in Finland and emigrated to America.

3. The Wiitala's were from Clarks Island, ME. The town no longer exists and all records were lost when their town burned.

REUNIONS:
The only Family Reunion held on a regular annual basis is the KERSHNER FAMILY REUNION. The KERSHNER descendents began having annual family reunions in 1936 and have continued, uninterrupted, ever since. They were originally held on Labor Day Weekend but due to our changing society, families moving away and travel considerations, the reunions have been held on the "third Saturday of July" for the past 30 years or so. They are always held in Maine to accommodate the older generation that continues to live there. In recent years they have been primarily held in Poland Springs, ME since the location is based of offers.

All descendents and friends are welcome to the potluck picnic.

Games for the children and a "blind auction" are held after the business meeting. Each attendee brings an item to be sold at the auction. Proceeds from the auction pay for the soda and other nominal costs of the gathering.

KERSHNER SCHOLARSHIP:
All monies remaining after expenses are added to the Kershner Scholarship Fund. Cash donatons to the fund are also encouraged and gratefully accepted. The currently modest scholarship fund was started in the late 1980's to early 1990's and assists in paying for college books. Applications are reviewed and awarded each year at the reunion.


Anyone interested in attending the reunion can obtain Reunion location and directions as well as local accommodation information by e-mailing BBrad4745@aol.com or nieracine@aol.com.

All inquiries are welcome and encouraged whether they are about the family tree or the reunion.


Editors Notes:
Rolfe Douglas "Doug" Bradbury is researching BRADBURY genealogy as it relates to Montelle Bradbury. See Montelle & Isabelle [Kershner] Bradbury in the Kershner Tree. Doug may be contacted at bradbury@inu.net.

Norma Isabelle [Ekola] Racine is maintaining EKOLA and WIITALA genealogy. Additions, corrections and inquiries should be e-mailed to nieracine@aol.com.

Lois [Coughlin] Bradbury maintains the KERSHNER genealogy, Norma Racine is her backup. Lois may be contacted at BBrad4745@aol.com.

July 16, 2001

• MICHAEL & MARY ANNE KERSHNER of FLAGSTAFF, ME (309 KB)
  Michael,b.abt.1775 in Alcase Lorraine,his wife Mary Anne,b.in France,came to America after Michael served as a bodyguard for Napoleon Bonaparte.
• HERMANN WIITALA & KATRINA KANGAS of CLARK IS, ME (53 KB)
  Hermann and Katrina (Kangas) Wiitala begins with Hermann's grandfather to show another branch that changed their name to Johnson. [Put cursor in tree frame, click it, press "f" and select "Wiitala, Father" from name list.]
• MATTI EKOLA & SOFIA KOYKKARI of FINLAND (46 KB)
  Descendants of Matti Ekola & Sofia Koykkari of Finland. This is about their 5th [of 15 children] Matti Ekola and his wife Elina/Alina Wiitala.

• CROTEAU - Isabelle [Bradbury] & Jennifer Knight (9 KB)
  Taken at the Annual Kershner Reunion on July 21, 2001 at the Bradbury Farm, Jackson Rd., Poland Springs, Maine
• 1999 - 63rd KERSHNER Family Reunion - [cont'd] (102 KB)
  Barbara C.[Bradbury] & Fred Repp at the Bradbury Farm, Jackson Rd., Poland Springs, ME
• 1954 - KERSHNER - Guy & Bertha Vanessa [Wilbur] (54 KB)
  The 50th Wedding Anniversary photo of Guy and Bertha [Wilbur] Kershner, November 7, 1954
• KERSHNER - Mary [Whitten] (20 KB)
  The only known picture of Mary Whitten.
• 1937 - EKOLA , Willard & Hortense Family (33 KB)
  Willard & Hortense {Bradbury] Ekola with Walter Mattias Ekola late 1937 or early 1938.
• KERSHNER - Maude (23 KB)
  Only known picture of Maude Kershner. Date is unknown but believed to be around the 1950's (+/-)
• 1998, October - BRADBURY - First-Cousins (57 KB)
  First cousins of the Montelle & Isabelle [Kershner] Bradbury children at the home of the Repp's in Pottersville,NY. Front: Norene[Bradbury]Morneau,Lois[Coughlin]Bradbury,Barbara[Bradbury]Robinson,Bob Bradbury,Mary[Gomes]Bradbury,Linwood Bradbury. Back: Tom Bradbury,Bill Bradbury,Fred Repp, Barbara[Bradbury]Repp and Chuck[Charles] Bradbury.
• 1968 - BRADBURY - Isabelle [Kershner] & Children (56 KB)
  Picture was taken at time of Montelle Bradbury's funeral in 1968. Charles,Rolfe,Montelle,Jr.,Harold,Clarence,Hortense and Mother Isabelle [Kershner] Bradbury.
• 2001, July 21 - 65th KERSHNER Family Reunion (17 KB)
  The WHOLE GANG!! Are you in this photo? Did you take a picture that turned out clearer? If so, Please LMK
• 2000, October - BRADBURY - First-Cousins Reunion (22 KB)
  On Lake George,NY. B:Paul Morneau,Linwood Bradbury,Harvey[Tom's friend],Tom Bradbury. M:Norma Racine,Mary Bradbury,Noreen Morneau,Harvey's Wife[Donna's friend],Donna Bradbury,Chuck Bradbury. F:Barbara Repp,Fred Repp,Terry[Chuck's friend].
• 1912, July 4 - WIITALA Family Homstead in Zim, MN (58 KB)
  Family gathered in front of Minnesota Log Home. Hanna,John,Hank(Herman),Hermann,Katrina,Lillian,Aliina,Aunt Pauline & Jack,Walter and little Fannie Wiitala in front. Flag has 45 stars on it.
• 2000 - Ham, Susan, David & Mike Concannon (70 KB)
  Susan [Rajala]Ham, son Mike with girlfriend and husband David Ham. Taken 2000.
• 2000 - BRADBURY - First-Cousins Reunion [cont'd] (25 KB)
  At the home of Barbara & Fred Repp in Pottersville, NY. Left to right: Barbara Claire Repp, Linwood Bradbury,his wife Mary, Bill Bradbury, Bob Bradbury, Noreen Morneau and in front is Barbara Ann Robinson.
• 1917 - EKOLA - Matias & Hilma Aliina [Wiitala] (23 KB)
  Matti(Matias), Alina(Hilma Aliina), Herb(John Herbert), Ernest, Hilma & Willard Ekola at home, Pratt Pond, Jaffrey, NH. 1917. Note the changes in the spelling of names over the years.
• 1996 - Herb & Sylvia, Willard &Tess Ekola 60 YRS (72 KB)
  Picture taken at 60th Wedding Anniversary Dinner for both couples, in restaurant at rotary circle, Lee, NH, July 1996. John 'Herb' and Sylvia [Kuusisto] Ekola were married 7/23/1936. Willard & Hortense'Tess'[Bradbury]Ekola were married 4/12/1936. Herb and Willard are brothers.
• 1940 - 4th KERSHNER Family Reunion (53 KB)
  Standing: Ailsa,Margaret Libby,Mrs.E.B.,Doris[Mrs Reginald]Kershner,Dot Kershner, [Unk-1],Ed Blasl,Willard,Montelle Jr.,Seated back r:Hortense w/Norma Ekola,Gertrude w/Isabelle Bradbury,[Unk-2], Mary w/Dotty Bradbury, Mary [Pickey]Bradbury. Seated front r: Walter Ekola, [Unk-3],[Unk-4],Linwood Bradbury,Clarence [Brady] Bradbury Jr., Tom Bradbury, [Unk-5].
• 1999, July - WITTALA - Family Get-Together (99 KB)
  Willard Ekola, Donald Wiitala, Jean & Sully Wiitala at Don's camp in Brookline, NH, July 1999.
• 1996, July 20 - 60th KERSHNER Family Reunion (42 KB)
  Caroline [Croteau] & Jennifer Knight with Walter Ekola at Bradbury Farm, Jackson Rd., Poland Springs, ME. 7-20-1996
• 1989, Sept.03 - Hanna & Henry Wainio's Birthdays (46 KB)
  Party at Willard & Tess Ekola's home, Wheeler Rd., Ashby, MA.
• 1996 - 60th KERSHNER Family Reunion - [cont'd] (37 KB)
  Hortense 'Tess'[Bradbury] Ekola and Brian Whittier. July 22, 1996
• 1999, July - Larry Timmonen, Jean & Sully Wiitala (62 KB)
  Taken at a family get together at Don & Vera Wiitala's camp, Brookline, NH
• 1999, July - 63rd KERSHNER Family Reunion (7 KB)
  L to R: Norma [Ekola] Racine, Clarence Bradbury, Bertha [Kershner] Smith, Willard Ekola, Brent Smith. Taken at the Bradbury Farm, Jackson Rd, Poland Springs, ME.

• Bill & Lois Bradbury's (BBRAD4745@aol.com) Kershner Web page

Norma Isabelle Racine
niracine@earthlink.net

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