The group enjoyed a traditional Swedish meal prepared by the Trinity Lutheran Women of ELCA. The celebration coincided with the midsummer festival that is held annually in Sweden.

      Activities included a tour with David Peterson in his Boxholm museum. David had helped the family with many historical facts about the Schultz family in preparation for the reunion. The tour was one of the highlights of the event. The group also toured family landmarks and stopped at Lawn Cemetery.

      Berith Wahlgren commented, "The museum was so amazing. It was fantastic to see what David Peterson has done for the history of the area and how our family and area started. Eva Christina Schultz was a pioneer that settled in Boxholm in 1880. It was so very interesting to learn and see more about our family. The area should be very proud of this museum."

      The committee also prepared a short program with music and Swedish prayers. Many family items were on display such as family photos, handwork, baptism and confirmation certificates, and old postcards written by family members. Small children enjoyed a special gift of Swedish origin.

      A small group returned to Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning to attend the morning worship.

      Family members attending were: Gladys Buckley, Jerene Martin,Ogden; Kathy McCombs, Polk City; Dorian Cook and Bridgette Keim, Fort Dodge; Elaine Ames, Lorene Bell, Patricia Carlson, Cindy Wilson, Janice Groff, Christine Tovar, Michigan; Vern and Barbara Welch, Nebraska; Roger and Ruth Schultz, Kansas; Donna Senior , Canada; Dorene Scott and Dorothy Hall, Minnesota.

      Also, Craig and Rose Russell, Gladbrook; Craig, Angela, Lindsay Pritchard, Center Point; Aaron and Ella Russell, Johnston; Berith Wahlgren, Sweden; Bill and Cathy Craig, Betty and Keith Carlson, Cedar Falls; Tracy, Harrison, and Kalia Craig, Saudia Arabia; Megan, Adam and Isabel Wolf, Ames; Arlo and Maxine Schultz, Cedar Rapids. Guests were Rick Gallo, Center Point, and Marilyn McClymont, Michigan. Many who attended had never known about each other or met.

      A committee member wrote, "It was amazing that so many people traveled such distances to make a connection to their family and learn more of the history of their roots. We could feel the bloodline to each other."

      The genealogy has been traced back to 1740 by the work of several people who have been researching for years.

      The first Schultz reunion was also a time to honor and respect ancestors.

      In her research in Sweden, Berith Wahlgren found the Schultz church records.

      She commented, "It is very easy to search records in Sweden if you have the family names and parish where they attended. I encourage everyone to try."