Orr Reunion of Mount Vernon

 The Orr Reunion has been held in Mount Vernon, Missouri since 1937, bringing together the descendents of Paul and Isabella (Boyd) Orr of the Townland of Rhee, Aghadowey Parish, which is near Coleraine in Londonderry, Northern Ireland (or Ulster, as it’s called in Ireland).  Newly found descendants are always welcome. The photo at right is Aghadowey today. (Photo by Ray Elder)

Though descendants are of many faiths, Orr ancestors were Presbyterian and ties to the Aghadowy Church (on the right) are affirmed by Ozark Prairie (below) being modeled on it. Orr families include those who came from the same area in Ireland, such as the Campbells, Shirleys Mitchells, and Knox families. The Orrs quickly married into American families, many of which were also immigrants. The William and George Orr and the Campbell families settled in Lawrence and Jasper Counties in Missouri. The Shirleys initially settled in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, while the James Orr family went to Allen County, Indiana. Descendants are now in every U.S. state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and more.

First Sunday in August

The reunion is always on the first Sunday of August, at the Ozark Prairie Presbyterian Church, at 15032 Lawrence 2077, which is 3 miles outside Mount Vernon, MO. Usually there is an informal dinner at a restaurant in Mount Vernon on Saturday night, and sometimes a display of family history materials.

The church service at the "Brick Church" is at 10:45, and all are invited to attend. Lunch and visiting begin about noon in the church's community room -- air conditioning is wonderful in August! The basket dinner includes the lemonade made from the family recipe, for many years prepared by Margaret and Bobby Samuels. Local families bring food to share. Visitors from out of town just come and enjoy the good cooking. 

Inside the church after lunch we have what is nominally termed the "business" meeting and is actually a heck of a good time. 

Finding Each Other

We have a Facebook group, which is more important now because we can no longer update this website. (Our host no longer uses the software.)

The Orr Reunion welomes all who are connected to the family, however remotely.  We also keep track of descendants on a huge family tree that is rolled out each year. Nowadays, we have posted information on Ancestry.com and completed a book on Orr family history. The paperback is on Amazon.

An ebook version (epub) is now on Google.

We're also adding ebooks on individual families, also on Amazon. These are generally free online Reunion Weekend, and you can get free info anytime.

We love to get information on actual, living family members, but we never publish anything like your birthday or town. Feel free to email or call -- Elaine Orr at elaineorr55@yahoo.com or our Orr Reunion email -- orrreunion15@gmail.com. You can also call Elaine at 641-455-3257.

We can help you with directions to the church or places to stay in Mount Vernon. The mailing address is below. You may also contact Mary Fran Seneker at mseneker2002@yahoo.com.

Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.