Photograph by Biancca Lane Riggle. Members of the Washington Family of Dunkirk during the 106th family reunion at the Red House in Cassadaga.

CASSADAGA — Descendants of the Washington family of Dunkirk gathered together for their 106th annual family reunion at the Red House in Cassadaga. Thanks was extended to Steve Wickmark for hosting this year’s reunion.

Treasurer Nancy Washington Wickmark of Cassadaga served as the moderator of the event in the absence of president Shane Washington of Washington, D.C. Descendants from several of the original family attended.

The group is known as the “Washington of Dunkirk.” The family’s original immigrants were John Thomas and Elizabeth Ward Washington, who traveled to the United States from Littleport, England in the time period from 1902 to 1905 with 12 of their 13 children. One child died before they immigrated to the U.S. They built a house on West Sixth Street in Dunkirk where the family was raised. Before the meal, Carl James Richter of Westfield gave the blessing. Thanks was extended to all for attending the reunion. All those attending brought dishes of food to share with the others.

Following the meal, the annual business meeting was called to order by Treasurer Wickmark. Minutes of the reunion held last year were read by secretary John Sipos of Cassadaga. Treasurer Wickmark gave the financial report of the group. The oldest female attending was Natalie Ann Hannum of Dunkirk, and the oldest male was Bruce Albert Washington of Ohio. The youngest was Biancca Lane Riggle of Cassadaga.

Gail Pugh Dash presented the military flag of Frederick Albert “Fritz” Washington to Bruce Washington. Fritz had served in World War I. Mrs. Dash also had a copy of the history of the Canadaway Creek. Doug ReRider presented awards to those who do so much for the family. Recipients included Nancy Wickmark, John and Susan Sipos, Shane Washington, Natalie Hannum, Virginia Snyder, and Bruce Washington. Kathleen Kessler presented a 100-year old photograph of Susan Sipos’s father, Jack Washington, during a camping trip in the 1920s.

Susan Washington Sipos of Cassadaga, had researched the family and typed the family genealogy book, which took two years. She announced that she is keeping up to date on births, marriages and deaths of the family, and said that any updates should be sent to her. A group photograph was taken by Biancca Riggle. Officers for for the next reunion were elected. Shane Washington will continue as the president, Nancy Wickmark will serve as the treasurer, and John Sipos as the secretary.

The 2024 reunion is scheduled for Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 1 p.m. All family members are encouraged to attend.