The Second Burleson Family Reunion
CALLING ALL BURLESONS
By Hilda Snuggs

Thanks to the efforts of a few energetic and dedicated individuals who are proud of their heritage and not stymied by hard work, the Burleson name is under serious research.

After an initial gathering during the summer of 1996 when all Burlesons far and near to the Piedmont section of North Carolina received an invitation to gather at Morrow Mountain State Park near Albemarle on a Sunday in June to share and gather information on the family name, the Burlesons of Stanly County and surrounding areas have continued to meet and further their research.

The value of continuing the gathering was recognized by J.D. Burleson of Thomasville, N.C. who is an ardent researcher and currently serves on the national board of the Burleson Family Association. J. D.'s roots lead him back to Stanly County. So, during May of 1997, he organized the next annual Burleson gathering in Stanly County at the DAV Building on Highway 24-27 outside of Albemarle. His invitation again went out to all Burlesons especially with Stanly County backgrounds. Any Burleson was invited to bring families, family information and memorabilia and spend the day verifying and documenting family data.

On display J. D. set up large folding display boards with his lineage charts attractively mounted and clearly visible for all to peruse. He and his family also set up equipment to scan and copy information and pictures so those individuals could instantly add to their family data. Local Burlesons and a few as far away as Sunset Beach on the coast responded to the call.

That Sunday gathering gave birth to yet another effort. For the two years that ensued, J.D. began meeting with area Burlesons at the local library monthly for a two-hour research session. Family members from Burlington, Thomasville, Norwood, and surrounding locations in Stanly County attend. The focus of the meetings varies, but all efforts revolve around adding to the store of information on the Burleson name.

Also at the Stanly County Public Library Genealogy Room, Burlesons now have access to a valuable research tool J. D. compiled during the past year: his complete family line in a volume.

It is fascinating to imagine what these energetic Burlesons yet have in store.