History
Early Life and Migration
Samuel Sturgeon, a native of the north of Ireland, was born about 1680. In 1730, he migrated to America with his family and settled in Paxtang Township, Pennsylvania. He died about 1750.
Family Lineage
There is evidence that Samuel Sturgeon had eight sons:
Samuel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Peter, Henry, William, Robert, and John.
Historical Resource
A valuable resource on the early history of the Sturgeon family is:
A Genealogical History of the Sturgeons of North America
by Claudius T. McCoy (1926)
The First Modern Reunion (1969)
In June 1969, descendants of the Sturgeon and Elder families gathered for a reunion in Eastwood, Kentucky. These families were among the original settlers of eastern Jefferson County and western Shelby County, Kentucky.
The reunion was organized by Edith Wood, a teacher and historian from Middletown, Kentucky, who was descended from both the Sturgeon and Elder families. Her cousin, Marvin Sturgeon, served as master of ceremonies.
Formation of the Association (1974)
In September 1974, a committee composed of Edith Wood, Ruth Gillespie, Ivan Lancaster, and Marvin Sturgeon met at The Old Stone Inn in Simpsonville, Kentucky, to organize what would become the ongoing Sturgeon and Allied Families Association.
Bicentennial Reunion and Continuing Tradition
For many years, reunions were held in the Louisville, Kentucky area. In observance of the U.S. Bicentennial, the 1976 reunion was held at Paxton Presbyterian Church in Paxtang, Pennsylvania, where Samuel Sturgeon first settled.
As membership expanded, annual reunions have continued to be held at locations of particular historical significance to family ancestors.
The Most Recent Reunion Sites and Themes Were:
2025
Johnson Co., Indiana
“The Start” A presentation by Jack Sturgeon, Secretary/Treasurer of the S&AFA on the early history of the Association, trip to the Johnson County, Indiana Museum of History, trip to Greenlawn Cemetery to visit grave of Hume Sturgeon
2024
Louisville, Kentucky
Unfortunately, this year’s reunion was cancelled.
2023
Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois
“The Sturgeons meet the Lincolns………..again” Mary Todd Lincoln as portrayed by Pam Brown
2022
Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Kentucky
“91 to 1 Odds Still Derby Record for Roscoe Goose and Donerail” Roscoe Goose as portrayed by Eddie Price, Long Run Cemetery
2021
Nashville, Brown Co., Indiana
“Back Home Again in Indiana” History of Brown County, Indiana, Diana McDonald Biddle, State appointed Brown County Historian and Brown County Genealogist. The Sturgeons of Schooner Valley, Rhonda Dunn, Chief Archivist of the Brown County Historical SocietyItem
2020
Nashville, Brown Co., Indiana
Unfortunately, this year’s reunion was cancelled due to Coronavirus.
2019
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
“Back to the Beginning’ Paxton Presbyterian Church and cemetery. An appearance by John Harris, founder of Harrisburg. Trek to Westminister Cemetery in Mifflintown to view graves of Margaret and Thomas Sturgeon, Sr.
2018
Louisville, Kentucky
Dedication Ceremony: War of 1812 Marker at grave of Pvt. Thomas Sturgeon, Jr. in Long Run Cemetery, Eastwood, Jefferson Co., Kentucky, “Kentuckians in the War of 1812”, Mrs. Ruth Korzenborn, President State of Kentucky N. S. U. S. D. 1812
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