ANSLEY FAMILY ASSOCIATION

The Ansley Family Association (AFA) was organized in 1979 in Thomson, McDuffie Co., GA by members of the Ansley family from the William Ansley of Monmouth Co., NJ line. It began meeting in Thomson, GA because of the proximity to the "Rock House", which was built by Thomas Ansley by 1785 (eldest son of aforementioned William Ansley of New Jersey). The "Rock House" is a three-story, fieldstone structure that has been restored and placed on the "National Register of Historic Places". It is located near Thomson, GA, in McDuffie County. It is owned and maintained by the Wrightsborough Historical Foundation, with offices in McDuffie Co. Tourism Office. This structure was part of the original Quaker settlement, "Wrightsborough Township", established in 1768 in St. Paul's Parish (present-day McDuffie County). It is the oldest building in Georgia, with it's original floorplan intact.

The AFA has been meeting for 28 years (2005) and has adopted by-laws and a business structure to operate as a non-profit organization (although it doesn't officially enjoy that status). This group WELCOMES all Ansleys (and all variant spellings) and collateral families. This includes all identified Ansley groups shown on the foregoing ANSLEY FAMILY HOMEPAGE. The AFA holds an annual reunion, usually in Thomson GA. The date varies from April to June. Infrequently, the group will meet at another location that has historical significance to the Ansley family. The date of the reunion is set by the sitting Executive Committee, with input from the previous reunion meeting group. The reunion format begins with an informal visiting period on Friday afternoon and evening. It continues on Saturday with 1) Registration, 2) Newcomer's Orientation, 3) General Meeting with outside speaker, 4) Special Seminars (genealogy or historical), 5) Individual group line meetings, 6) Archives visitation, 7) Sales of books, T-shirts, etc., 8) group meal in afternoon or evening, and other activities that might be of interest to the group. On Sunday morning, we gather at historic (built 1810) Wrightsborough Church to worship God as a family. We say our goodbyes by noon on Sunday before heading for home. The leadership endeavors to keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum...we think it better to have large numbers of interested cousins attend than to hold an exclusive, costly type affair that serves only a privileged few. We promote historical and genealogical research that affects the ANSLEY (and collateral ) families. Items that have significance to the family are offered for sale at the reunion … these sales promote the family through books, T-shirts, caps, and other goods. The Executive Committee must approve ANY/ALL items that are sold at the reunion; this is to insure that only quality merchandise that has value to the family are offered … no outside vendors allowed. The AFA has published two cookbooks that were filled with recipes supplied by authentic Ansley (and collateral ) family members. We also publish (every two years) a family directory, with names/addresses and family kinship shown. Several family members have written historical or genealogical books about the family that have been offered to family members at minimal cost. Our Ansley Archives has collected a LARGE assortment of family memorabilia that is displayed at each reunion. This collection includes copies of family bible family history sections and published genealogies. The Ansley Archives will soon be permanently located in the Thomson-McDuffie County Museum and Archives in Thomson, GA. This facility will have an “Ansley Room”. Periodically, the originating family's Lines (descendants of each child of Thomas Ansley, Monmouth Co NJ/Warren Co GA) are displayed on the HUGE bedsheet size papers, to the delight of all. The author of this prodigious work is Phyllis Ansley Griffin, Denton, Texas. Phyllis also complied and published the work, "A History of Descendants, William Ansley and Thomas Ansley", Vol I, fondly referred to as "The Blue Book". She has recently revised and re-issued this book and it is again available for purchase directly from Phyllis (PAG504@msn.com).

The AFA also supports the publication of a family newsletter, "THE ANSLEY REUNION", which is published two times per year. This is the official communication medium for the family. It is obtainable only as part of the AFA membership (see below). This newsletter usually consists of 20 to 28 pages of ANSLEY family information concerning the reunion meetings, genealogy, stories of ancestors, announcements of births, deaths, weddings, anniversaries. This is a first-class publication that all enjoy.
To join the Ansley Family Association, send check or money order for $10.00 (US dollars)to:

               AFA Membership

               Route 1 Box 229

               Brevard, NC 28712-9770

        Make your check payable to:           ANSLEY Family Association

This fee covers a FAMILY membership (family under one roof) for one year (June to June of each year). Membership entitles one to participate in the AFA activities including attendance at the annual reunion, discounted purchase of books (20% less than non-members), two (2) AFA newsletters per year, and other events.

The next ANSLEY family reunion will be held March 24-26th, 2006 in Thomson, GA. (You are invited to inquire about the plans for this reunion by e-mailing either Jim Ansley or Bill Ansley. )

Sitting Executive Committee is-2005-2007:

Chairperson

Judy Candler, 782 Wisham Rd, Thomson, GA 30824 (c_jcandler@bellsouth.net)

Vice Chairperson

David G. McDonald, 1624 Hannah’s Mill Rd, Thomaston, GA 30286 (dmcdonald@charter.net)

Secretary

Michelle Randall, 1194 Romaine Cr E, Jacksonville, FL 32225 (MGR.SAR@worldnet.att.net)

Treasurer

Barbara Jean Ansley, PO BOX 6351, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-6351

AFA Membership Chairperson

Jim Ansley, RR 1, Box 229, Brevard, NC 28712-9770 (jansley@CITCOM.NET)

Cemetery & Special Archivist

Ernest L. Ansley, 11000 N Blue Stem Back Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73162 (Eansley100@aol.com)

Church Service Coordinator

Rev. Fairy Caroland, Koinonia, 1324 Hwy 49 S, Americus, GA 31719 (RevFairy@yahoo.com)

Historian

Vacant

Newsletter Editors

Roger & Marcia Spafford, 1257 Arlene Ct., Lilburn, GA 30047 (spaffordr@bellsouth.net)

Program & Activity Chairpersons

Victoria & Mike Harkness, 4661 Millstone Walk Dr., Buford, GA 30519

Publications Chairpersons

Marion & Melissa Hyder, 707 Westbury LN., Bethlehem, GA 30620 (MELMAR82397@aol.com)

Registrar

Allison Rodgers, 2320 Wesley Plantation DR., Duluth, GA 30096

Site Coordinator

Judy Candler, 782 Wisham Rd., Thomson, GA 30824 (c_jcandler@bellsouth.net)

Hospitality Chair

Barbara Ledom, 752A Eaton St., Prairie Village, KS 66208 (discus@mail2.gbronline.com)

For more information on joining the Ansley Family Association, send e-mail to:

Jim Ansley or Bill Ansley /revised Sep. 4, 2005

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