RFA Background
by Sybil R. Taylor, Executive Secretary

The Reynolds Family Association (RFA) was organized 23 Aug 1892 by some of the descendants of one of the early Connecticut families. In 1977 it was reorganized and incorporated; and maintains a membership of about 240 members per year. Membership is open to all individuals who are interested in any Reynolds family. The name Reynolds was (and is) spelled in a variety of ways, including Raynolds, Rennels, Runnels, Reynoldson, MacReynolds, McReynolds and many, many others, all of which are included in RFA.

RFA, not affiliated with any other Reynolds family group, is not a genealogical society and is not a commercial research enterprise. It is just a group of people sharing the bond of belonging to the family of Reynolds and wishing to maintain its history for future generations. RFA functions and endures on the volunteer time and commitment of individual members.

RFA has as its official purpose:

To share genealogical information,
Promote recognition of a common ancestry,
Develop acquaintance among Reynolds kindred, and
Collect and maintain a permanent record of Reynolds family history for future generations.

The RFA newsletter, Reynolds Recollections, the RFA Archives (files), the RFA Annuals, the RFA Web site, and annual reunions are the vehicles used to fulfill RFA's official purpose.

RFA ARCHIVES: RFA, a membership corporation, does not search its files for, or provide information to, non-members. When new information relevant to members' families becomes available it is published in Reynolds Recollections, on the web site, or the member is put in contact with another member who may be helpful. This service is included in the annual membership fee. Although the files are being entered into computers, members cannot access the files themselves.

RFA NEWSLETTER: Reynolds Recollections (RR) is the primary vehicle for dissemination of Reynolds family information. It is through RR that we get to know each other, past, present, and future, on a regular basis. Available to members only, RR is presently being published 6 times per year, and the subscription is included in the annual membership fee.

With written permission of the members, RFA publishes without cost queries in Recollections. Queries from non-members are published, without charge, at the discretion of the editor. Queries should be sent to RFA Editor, Susan R. Phaneuf, 184 Spooner Rd, Pittsburg, NH 03592.

OTHER RFA PUBLICATIONS: The intent of the RFA organizers was to publish a complete volume covering all known branches of the Reynolds families and, hopefully, tying all these families together. All the compiled notes and papers were retained by the members, but became the basis for the genealogies published by the RFA in the 1920s, when Marion H. Reynolds published two books on Robert of Boston, one on John of Watertown, and one on John of Norwich CT.

In the 1920s the decision was made to begin using "Annuals" as a vehicle for continuing the publication of family records. Again, most of the genealogical notes and papers were retained by the members who compiled them, but became the substance of the RFA Annuals which were published over the years, though not annually. Publication was discontinued in 1937. Some are now available through Higginson Book Co.

In 1993 RFA published The RFA Centennial Collection, which includes much of the archival genealogical material, corrected and/or updated, except for that contained in the 1982 Annual (see below). Additionally, the Centennial Collection contains much new information.

1982 RFA Annual. Linwood and Marcie Smith published the first RFA Annual since 1937. A very few copies of this 1982 annual remain.

THE RFA CENTENNIAL COLLECTION is hardbound, indexed, 811 pages.

RFA REUNIONS/ANNUAL MEETINGS: Annual RFA Reunions, a day or more of getting to know Reynolds "cousins", sharing family information, and participating in RFA business nurture the familial relationship of RFA members. These meetings are held throughout the U.S., in cities that provide major genealogical research centers.

MEMBERSHIP DUES: Dues provide for registration of your family, a subscription to the newsletter, access to the RFA Web site, and a large network of Reynolds researchers. No profit, personal or corporate, is made from these dues; in fact, it takes more than this income to keep RFA afloat, e.g, personal contributions, etc.

For over 100 years, dedicated individuals committed to our family have spent countless hours of time, energy and effort gathering and collecting material that has become our legacy. Gratitude is due all those who have been the caretakers of this legacy for their commitment and responsible, faithful care of our Reynolds Family Heritage. It is now our turn to create the legacy. RFA is committed to sorting all the Reynolds ancestors, documenting suggested relationships, and continuing as a national repository for past and present Reynolds families, so that future generations can find us more quickly that we have been able to find our ancestors.